Tempe/Scottsdale Fun!

Jeff had a CE course to take in Scottsdale, so our whole family tagged along. It was fun sight-seeing different areas of Phoenix we hadn't been, and it's been a long time since Grandma has been to Phoenix.

First, we stopped at Ikea at the request of Grandma. I managed to walk away spending under $50 (unheard of at that store!!), but my list grew while we walked through the store. It's nice to have an Ikea so close (yet far enough) to us. Then, we went for a drive so the girls could nap for a little while. I drove to the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, which has a fascinating history, and the architecture is uniquely cool. The area around the hotel is surrounded in multi-million dollar mansions and we enjoyed gawking at them, as well as the nearby shopping plaza for those millionaires that own the homes. Then, we drove up to pick up Jeff.


After we picked him up, we were driving through old town Scottsdale and saw a Qdoba sign. I was ecstatic and we stopped, only to find out it had been shut down. If there is one place I miss from Reno, it's Qdoba, and for those who don't know what that is, I am sad for you. It is even more delicious than Cafe Rio and Chipotle.


Then we drove the art fair that was happening in downtown Tempe. There also happened to be an ASU home game, so we witnessed some proud tailgating while there (ASU is minutes away from downtown).

We stopped for dinner and drove home later that night.

Pics from Tempe:

Holiday Fun!

We went to the tree-lighting ceremony at Loew's Ventana Hotel here. It was a fun little event and we were able to take pictures with Santa, and not spend a dime. I think that the prices at the mall locations are ridiculous and will find any way to get a free photo with Santa, even if it means posing with one that doesn't look that jolly. 

This guy was the real deal, straight from the North Pole. Cadence was absolutely enthralled with him (and every other Santa we see nowadays). Claire's look says it all. She likes the Man in Red from afar. 

They had cookie-decorating, carols, and free food and hot cocoa. It was a great event and one we will probably make a tradition of. 

So Thankful...

Thanksgiving was a great, laid-back time this year. We stayed home since Jeff worked Friday, and I roasted a turkey that was way too big for the little number of people eating it. Grandpa David flew down, and my Grandma joined us, and we had a fun weekend.

Baby #3...

...is on its way!

I am due June 23, although the doctor said it could be closer to the 28th, which also happens to be Jeff's mom's birthday!

We are so excited and I can't complain. The symptoms are there but minor enough to handle!

Claire hopes its a boy! Cadence is clueless. :-)

Halloween 2013

Jeff had implant training in Salt Lake over the weekend before so my grandma and I tackled all the fun to-dos here in Tucson.


Friday night, we went to an event at a local Trader Joes. They team up with My Gym, and the kids go place to place trick-or-treating, then get a free meal at the Metropolitan Grill for visiting each place. It's a clever way for marketing, and fun for the kids too. The girls had a lot of fun. Claire dressed up as a sailor and Cadence as Minnie Mouse.

Then, Saturday, we went to Claire's friend's home for a party. They went all out! They are never for home for Christmas, so they make Halloween the fun holiday in their house. The kids had so much fun, with hat decorating, feet stamping, a pinata, and so much more!

Saturday night, we attempted to enjoy the YMCA's trunk-or-treat, but it was total chaos. The lines were not well-run, and we only stopped at a few cars. It was jam-packed with people, and many of the activities had long lines. Not sure we will do that again.



Then, on Halloween, we enjoyed walking the girls around the block while my grandma handed out candy. They only got scared at one home that had  "Friday the 13th music"  playing. It was even scary for me! But, all-in-all, they got a ton of candy and looked cute. I even realized that they switched costumes, as Claire was minnie mouse for Halloween last year, and Cadence was Tink. I'll try not to do that again :-)

This and That- September and October...

Thank goodness for cameras on our phones! These are just tidbits of what's been happening over the last couple of months:

Chilling outside in 80 degree weather in September!
We love our weather here!

Holding on to two kids while pushing an empty stroller = mom talent! 

Claire started dance in September and really likes it! 

This is what we do while Claire's in Dance! 

Improvising on the makeup Cadence? 

Picnic outside in October! 

One of my Crafty moments last month. She never takes the apron off! 

Painting Time! 

Willcox Wine Festival

Willcox is the "Napa Vellay of Arizona." There are about 15 wineries in the area, and they host a semi-annual wine festival. We loved hanging out in historic downtown, tasting the wine, enjoying the music, and the girls even loved the Train passing by (maybe 10 feet away from the event).