Thanks in AZ

This year, we decided to go to Arizona to see Ben's dad and family for Thanksgiving. We were really excited to spend time with them for the first time over a holiday and be in the perfect 70-80 degree weather! 

It's a 10 hour drive... but with the detour we ended up taking (didn't know a major road was closed and had to turn around and go a different route), it took about 12 hours. The kids were so good! I didn't keep a record of the exact sequence of events so I'll just go along with the pics!

(Turned around in the car to see Claire doing this!)

Red Robin! So yummy and Claire really enjoyed her chocolate milk and root beer... together! 

I didn't get a single picture of Thanksgiving brunch! It was so fun. I had some cute craft packs to keep the kids entertained and some fun quizzes for the adults. Great food and fun to be together. 

Zoo lights! So fun. We were spoiled and got to do a lot of the fun things throughout the zoo like ride the camels and merry-go-round. Claire loved running around with little Wyatt and looking at all the lights. And dude -- the weather!! 

Costco trip! 

Swimming at Grandpa's. 

In between activities we did lots of games, chilling, and golf cart rides! 

Segways ROCK. We had a LOT of fun riding around Scottsdale. So much fun that 3 of us crashed our segways. The tour guide said she maybe has one crash a month... oops. But she also said we were the funnest group! Ha.

Grandpa's new house in progress:

Family picture time! Love this crazy bunch! 

Four generation gentlemen: 

So much fun. We loved this holiday. Stressful at times with all the kids, but so nice to get away and be warm. Claire still talks about Arizona and wants to go back weekly. She loved the dogs, the attention, the swimming, and the family!  Happy Thanksgiving! 

Jace takes Chicago

I signed up for Airwatchdog, heard of it? And one day it sent me an email telling me Frontier was having a deal to Chicago for $49 each way! SCORE! I surprised Anna for her bday gift and told her I was coming out in November. I couldn't wait to finally see where she's living, meet Lydia, and visit Chicago! 

Jace came with me and was a champ the whole time. He had had an ear infections a couple of days before we left and his eardrum burst. I was so worried about the flight but he was awesome. 

My little niece! 

We went out for deep dish pizza. WOW was it good!!

Saturday we spent the day in the city and did a river boat tour. It was the perfect way to see the city. VERY COLD. But we loved it!!

 

Had to get a couple of family pictures while I was there of course:) Cute cute cute!

Ben's aunt lives literally 5 minutes from Anna (small world!) so we were able to visit with Gina and cousin Sheridan. Jace loved her:) 

After church blow out. All the way around. Lovely.

It was so cute to see them together. We love Lydia!! Such a great trip. Thanks so much to Anna and Brian for being awesome hosts and being so fun. I love you guys!!