PHOENIX!!!

Back in Sept, Chad was supposed to attend a training in SLC but due to a family funeral he had to miss it. He jokingly asked his boss if he wanted him to go to phoenix to do it since there was a training there and he said YES! He came and talked to me and I said I'm Coming WITH YOU! And after a few approvals at work and talking my parents into staying with the kids we were off!!

Chad flew up on Monday so he could be there in time for the tuesday morning class and I flew out the next day. Everything went flawlessly and I made it through the airport and security with no problems.  

 I've always loved seeing the land from high points. It's amazing.

 The clouds were glowing so bright and I was feeling so relaxed and ready to enjoy my husband and some me time for a week!

 I caught a shuttle to the hotel and spent some time getting ready and waited for Chad to get home. We went out that night and ate a whole pizza (adult kinds!) to our self! It was yummy!

 The next day I took Chad to class and went out exploring finding any stores to shop at and hitting all the thrift stores! It was a good time. I spent so long in Ross just because I could! I did plenty of laying by the pool and feeling the wonderful 80 degree weather and trying to not think of coming home to snow.

 When I picked up Chad I saw some bright things hanging in the trees. I got up close and it was a pomegranate tree! I was so tempted to pick it but i didn't. I did touch it and a ton of spiders dropped onto my hand. EW! There were also limes or lemons growing in bunches. So cool to see.

 One evening we went to a HUGE mall! We could have spent all day in it and not seen everything it was so huge. We had dinner there and shoppped and then went to see Malifecent 2. We found this big boys toy store where you could drive the remote control cars. Chad tried it out.

 We had rolled ice cream too. It was fascinating to watch them scrape it into rolls and put it into cups. It wasn't really worth the money though. Just mediocre ice cream.

 There were cool lego displays all over the mall.

 On one day I took myself to the Gilbert Temple! It was gorgeous among the palm trees and red flowers.

 I don't know what they are but they are every where and SO SO beautiful!

 Whats a vacation without a massage?! Yes we bought a groupon and spoiled ourselves with a couples massage. Mine was heavenly.

 Zupas after our massages.

 And some TV watching and R&R in bed.

 On our last day we didn't have much time to do anything but we did find a park with a cool hike to a hole in the rock at Papago Park.

 What's a desert vacation without a picture of a cactus! They were everywhere along with palm trees at the park.

 The path goes up the back side of the rock.

 We could sit up in this hollowed out cave and peek through the hole in the rock at the beautiful city. It was a really cool feeling and it was cold in the rock.

 There were ponds  all around you could fish in and ducks floating around.

 From the hole in the rock we could see this random pyramid so we decided to go check it out. Apparently its a TOMB! of the first mayor! Weird....several of his family members were buried there as well. I wondered what you had to do to make the cut of being buried in the tomb.

 Our car was fancy and fast and fun to drive! I meant to get a better pic of it but as we were returning it this was the best we could do. We both left dreaming of the day when we could have a car!

It was SUCH a nice trip and we were able to be together on the flight home. Our kids were good for their grandparents and that made us happy and eased our minds while on the trip. I'm grateful my parents were willing to do that. Chad and i really needed a getaway and despite having a cold, we still made the most of it and our time together!

Halloween

I spent Halloween day helping with Carter's school party. I did a candy toss into baskets they wore on their heads. It was good fun. They also learned the Thriller dance and did it all together at the end of the party. 

 Then we attempted Trick or Treat on Main Street. We've lived here 7 years and it was our first time trying it out. It was fun and exciting to see what each store came up with. The church on main did a whole lot of stuff inside for the kids and Noah was even in there telling the story of the ark. At the end of it we got candy from Jesus! Wow that was a first!

 Nannette and her girls went with us and it was fun but a lot of walking for someone's tiny legs.

 I was glad the sun came out and the melted the snow. I wasn't wanting to go out at night and freeze!

 We dropped the big kids off with friends to go do more trick or treating and Chad and I enjoyed the afternoon with the littles.

 I made a pizza mummy and it was a good thing the big kids were gone because it didn't feed very many! But it was tasty.

 We took the girls to the Smiths and to Sis. Nash. They always love having the kids come.

 And the sunset was incredible! What a pretty halloween sky!

 Darci, my friend, sent me this picture as the kids were heading out. They live up on the "rich hill" and were so excited to go.

 They returned home at a pretty good hour since it was a school night and showed off all their loot. They each had 5 or 6 full size candy bars! And as always, Carter gave anything with carmel to me. I'm so glad he hates carmel!!!

Here's to sugar fits and tummy aches! Happy Halloween!