Monday, November 27, 2017

Almost 10 Days in AZ for Thanksgiving!!

We flew out of Tulsa again so that we could take a direct flight to Phoenix.  This time we didn't have to spend the night but we did get up early and drive to take a 10am flight out.  We were all excited to see Grandma and Papa!
First things first!  Pool!!!!


Mommy and Daddy took the convertible to the store for a few essentials!
Sunday was church and North Pole Experience.  So Monday we split up and the girls went to American Girl for Ashley's birthday shopping and the boys went to Cracker Jax and Target.  Also, someone has their first wiggly tooth!!!!




We all met up for lunch, each did some more fun shopping with the kids then met back at Grandma and Papa's for dinner and amazing sunsets.  Miss these!


On Tuesday we all went to Top Golf!  What a fun time that was for all of us!!




Tuesday night our favorite AZ babysitter Bethany came and watched the kids so that the adults could go out for dinner.  After many possible options, we ended up at Fleming's - YUM!!!!!  And of course we had gelato afterward!
Overnight into Wednesday Sara went down with a stomach bug.  Trevor had been having tummy issues too that he passed along to most everyone but Mommy ended up with fever and chills too.  No fun!  So all Wednesday Mommy pretty much slept.  Fun Daddy and Papa John took the kids to the train park!!

Then in the evening Brian met Bobby and Remy at Isabella's Kitchen so that the girls could see one another and the boys could catch up!  By the looks of their smiles they picked right back up!
 Remy told someone that asked that 'she and Ashley used to be best friends but then Ashley moved to Arkansas.' Sadness!!
Luckily Sara was feeling better on Thursday so she got to join in for Thanksgiving!  This year we decided to order our meal from AJ's rather than fuss for days over prepping all the food.  Pauline still made a few favorites like sauerkraut and kiebasa and Mommy made corn casserole.  It definitely wasn't the same but it sure hit the spot and we had a lot more fun family time by ordering it!
Cheers!  This kid loves his fake wine, as he calls it!
Of course Bitty Baby joined in too!
After some pool time we headed over to the golf course to hit a few balls.  Daddy brought his clubs and threw some of Trevor's clubs in as well for Top Golf and this occasion.


The boy can hit!
When it was FINALLY time to eat dessert we celebrated both kids birthdays!
And watched another gorgeous sunset!

On Friday we went to the Deer Valley airport and had breakfast.  It was something we always wanted to do when we lived there but never did so this trip back we crossed it of four list.  And how cool to sit so close to the planes and watch them take off and land.


After that we met Grandma and Papa at Top Golf for round 2.
That night we put the kids to bed and headed to our old neighbors.  Boys in Troy's courtyard, girls in Becky's.  Just like old times.  Except we had to spend the night in Troy and Lisa's guest room instead of our house.   Sweet dreams buddy - last sleep of age 7 :(
On Saturday we woke up early, picked up Starbucks for the birthday boy and went back to the Hillins.  We got ready and headed out for Trevor's special day.  We started with birthday donuts at our old neighborhood park with his buddies.


Then we headed over to Erica's for Friendsgiving 3.0!!






On Sunday we went to church with the Hillins before heading over to the McCormicks who flew in late the night before.  Trevor was all about 'baby' Mason.
From there we headed over to Becky and Brandon's to give our Godson Maddox a quick birthday hug!  The kids were so excited that we let them walk from the McCormicks to the Mauck's!  They are getting so old!



From there we headed up to Nick and Kaelyn's to give Kiera a bunch of Ashley's old clothes and catch up with them and see their new house.  We got back to the Hillins around 1:45pm and spent the rest of the day swimming, eating and packing!

See the hummingbird??
On Monday morning we went to the Feather's house around 8:00 to see them (they flew in late the night before) and so that Trevor could walk to school with his buddies.
As it turned out all of his old walk-pool came at the same time plus Charlotte!!!  Trevor was all smiles!
From there we headed to the airport, had a bite to eat with Grandma and Papa then flew home.  After driving from Tulsa we still got home around 6pm, plenty of time for Trevor to open his birthday presents from us!


Thank you Grandma and Papa John for another wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  We sure packed a lot into our 7 full days together!  Thanks for going along with our surprise North Pole Experience, so glad you loved it!!  And thanks for being understanding about 2 days with our friends.   It meant a lot to us to have time with all of you so thank you, thank you!!!  XOXO

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Surprise! North Pole Experience Here We Come!

Since we are loving surprises this year and we really love to give gifts of memories rather than just stuff we thought of the perfect Christmas gift for Grandma and Papa John.  Although not really sure they thought it was all that perfect when they opened a bunch of buffalo plaid pattern clothes for people to wear when we all went to the North Pole Experience!  But they went along with it!  Prepare for picture overload because it really turned out quite magical!
On Sunday afternoon we headed to Flagstaff but not before some pictures in our new attire!



We got up to Flagstaff with enough time to eat dinner before needing to be at the Little America Inn where we would leave from.  Mr. Shrimp ordered his favorite shrimp cocktail!  
He picked out the hat himself :)
Then we headed over to where we would depart from and of course snuck in a bunch of pictures outside and inside!  This place really gets you in the holiday spirit!!





And then our 5:20pm departure time was announced so we got in line!
And headed out to the buses that would take us to the North Pole!!

'Please magical portal let us through'

And it did!!!  We arrived at the North Pole without issues!
Both kids remembered coming here with our friends 2 years ago!  So much fun to be had!






Writing letters to Santa before going to see him!


And then it was our turn to see Santa!
Unlike last time, this time he gave the kids special teddy bears as gifts!

We couldn't hear what they asked for but we sure hope that Santa brings it!
Official Santa pictures!!  See it pays off to wear coordinating clothing - makes for awesome pictures!




And then it was time to ride the magic buses back to the hotel and drive back to Scottsdale.  
Everyone agreed that it was really a magical time and fun to see Christmas through children's eyes.  Papa and Grandma ended up loving the experience and can't wait to show their friends the pictures!  We still have to get through Thanksgiving but it sure if starting to feel a lot like Christmas!!