our week in arizona

i have finally posted about our thanksgiving week in arizona. it took me forever to find time to upload all the pictures and blog about our fun vacation.

we left on monday of last week and drove 6 hours to our destination in northern arizona. we were meeting both our families there. one of jesse's sister's family, his mom, my parents, my brother, his girlfriend and her family all were there. we had rented and borrowed the use of two houses while we were there.

when we left on monday morning, i wasn't too sure about the drive ahead of us with two kids. we stopped twice on our journey and they did great the whole time. oh, did i also mention that we took our dog, charlie along too. :)

a couple days before we left, jj got sick. he had a cough, sore throat and fever. i know you're thinking the swine flu, but i already got the kids their vaccines and i got him tested before we left for strep and it was negative. i was very glad that his fever finally broke before we left, but bad news was that ellie and i got sick while we were in arizona. it really didn't affect ellie much, but it hit me hard. i even went to the ER while we were there just in case to check for strep and pneumonia (both were negative). my nephew got sick too and he ended up going to the ER with strep throat. besides all the sickness, we had a really fun and relaxing time.

we spent tuesday seeing the sites. we all went up to jerome. it was an old mining town up in the mountains. the view from up there was so incredible and beautiful. we ate and walked around the shops up there. after that, we took an adventure to go see montezuma's castle in the side of the cliff. that was really neat. it was kind of an educational stop on our vacation.

me and my dad up in jerome

ellie and my niece

jesse studying his notecards

ellie and a twisted juniper tree

the kids at montezuma's castle. this picture makes me laugh because when i was taking it, jj refused to stand next to his sister. he was completely OVER me taking pictures and that was the closest he was going to get to her. ahh kids, gotta love 'em.

on wednesday, we just relaxed and stayed in during the day. jesse went golfing at the local golf course. we had a big night planned. we were going to the polar express! in williams, az. they have a train ride that takes you to the north pole, see santa, drink hot cocoa, eat cookies, read the book, "the polar express" and get a little gift. it was super neat and was a once in a lifetime experience. that being said, that night requires it's own post. so stay tuned...

the next day was thanksgiving, in the morning, some of us went to sedona and drove out to bell rock. it was kind of crowded with lots of people hiking, biking, and walking. we got some good pictures and then left to get ready to stuff ourselves full of food. we had purchased a few precooked meals at safeway so we didn't have to cook at all. that was pretty awesome. we had lots of food with great family and friends. we ate dessert and browsed the black friday ads for the deals.

normally, i love to get up at the butt crack of dawn to wait in line and grab the great bargains that await me at my local target, kohls, and toys r us. this year, it was kind of nice to not have much to buy and to be able to sleep in.

that was the night that we took a quick trip to the verde valley emergency room to get checked out. that ER was very nice by the way. it was new and i got a huge room while they did all the necessary tests. it was nice to be alone too. nice and quiet, except for the non stop coughing that i did.

i love this picture. jj said the thanksgiving blessing before the meal. it was so nice.

us at bell rock.

friday, we spent the day going to the out of africa wildlife park. that was jj's birthday present from us. it was definitely a highlight of the trip for us. the kids had a blast and we have tons of pictures and memories. again, that day requires it's own post. so stay tuned...

we left friday afternoon and got back home late in the evening. the kids fell asleep in the car and to add, they both slept in the next day until 8am! both jesse and i loved that part. we had a great relaxing week, plus we still had the weekend, before we had to go back to work and school.

i did have lots of laundry, a dirty house, and a small cough to take care of when i got home, but it was all worth it. thanks family for the great week together. we love you! thanks mayer family for the use of your lovely home. thanks minnick family for spending thanksgiving with us.