Spring Break in Phoenix

     As I mentioned in a previous post, I decided to really live it up this year and take two weeks for spring break.  The first week we spent in Arizona.  Joey and Ashlyn stayed back in Colorado.  Ashlyn was still in school and we didn't want her to miss any more school.  Gracie, Dawson, and I went with my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and niece and nephew.
    We split up the drive and drove to Albuquerque the first night and drove the rest of the way the next day.  Gracie did good in the car and the kids survived 12 hours in the car.  We were greeted in Scottsdale with lots of sunshine and warmth!  It felt amazing!  We were so ready to soak up some sun!
    Our week was very action packed as it always is.  We squeezed in a ton of fun into that week.  The best part was getting to spend lots of time with my Grandma.  It is always so nice to catch up and visit with her.  The kids enjoyed seeing her and Jameson had never met her before.
   Aside from visiting and spending time with my grandma, we did lots of eating.  We just love all the restaurants done there.  We also went to the train park several times.  Ella and Jameson had never been and they really enjoyed it.  We also went to the Children's Museum so Ella and Jameson could experience that as well.
    Our house down there has the perfect backyard.  It's fenced in well and has a great patch of grass.  The kids could not get enough of the backyard.  They wanted to run around and play in it as much as possible.  Ella really got into soccer and I had a great time playing with her.  I love having a house down there were we can relax and spend time outdoors without being couped up in hotel rooms.
    Our week could not have been better. We had amazing weather and lots of fun.  The week went by entirely too quickly and we were so not ready to go home.  The good news is that we will be going back down there in September to celebrate my Grandma's 90th birthday . We can't wait!

Gracie loved having grass beneath her feet

Ready for some warm weather

The train park

The boys in the backyard

She loves the swings

Playing at the playground

At the park

Riding the train with Auntie

These two silly kids had to ride in the cattle car

   There is an outdoor mall near where my grandma lives.  They have a neat fountain to play in.  The weather was perfect for some splashing around.  The kids really enjoyed it. 

Dawson in the water

This fountain is surrounded by beautiful vegetation.  It is honestly the perfect place to play. 

Gracie checking out the water.  She loved it!

Water baby

Action shot

Gracie playing in the grass

    We spent a morning at the children's museum.  I can never say enough things about this museum.  It is fairly inexpensive and there is so much for kids to do.  Every time we have been there they have added something new.  It keeps it fun and exciting.  The only complaint I ever have is how crowded it always is.  It becomes very crazy and frenetic.  Despite that, the kids always have a blast. 

Such a cutie!

This was a new area that they had with huge life size blocks.  Dawson really liked it. 

This was another new area.  It was an outdoor play area. 

Very proud of what he built

I don't know why they all look so mad in this one. 

Making music

Gracie likes making music too

These are the neat reading nooks that they have.  So cozy. 

She absolutely loves books.

Such a sweet moment

Back at the train park

Top of the carriage

Riding again in the cattle car

Waiting for the train to come

Train museum fun

We always eat lunch at the golf course and it has the most beautiful patio with awesome views of the course and the lake. 

Our little soccer star

    Gracie's first birthday was on the last day of our trip.  I was a bit sad that we were on vacation for her actual birthday, but it couldn't be avoided.  Since it was the last day of our trip, it was kind of a crazy day.  To celebrate, we had cupcakes in the backyard.  Gracie just played in hers, but the rest of the kids sure liked them. 

The birthday girl