Scottsdale Winter 2015

    Two days after Christmas, we embarked on our yearly holiday trip to Scottsdale to see my Grandma.  We just love it down there so much so any chance we get to go down there, we definitely take.  It also helps that we have a house down there so we never have to worry about booking hotels,etc.  We drove through both ways, which made for some long days in the car.  Gracie did pretty well, but she was more than ready to get out on the way back.
 This year Joey, the kids, my parents and brother all made the trip down.  It was a lot colder than we prefer our Scottsdale, but the weather was still nicer than Colorado.  We had a great trip and got to enjoy all of our favorite activities down there.  As usual we did a lot of eating, some shopping, some playing, and lots of family time.  It was the perfect trip!  The only complaint was that it was much too short like usual.  We hope to be back in March and really soak up the sun.

Getting ready to ride the train at the train park

We love the train park

Gracie was finally old enough to play

They love this spot at the train park

Picking oranges from our orange tree

Love the backyard and the green grass in December

Look at all those oranges!

They are redoing the golf course that is right behind the house, so Dawson and Ashlyn snuck out there for a quick run.  

My brother went on a run, and while he was gone Ashlyn set up a recovery chair for him.  She included a pillow, blanket, fresh orange slices, and a bottle of water.  She even fanned him off with a palm tree leave.  It was too funny!

Camelback mountain

   When we got out for the holidays, we always spend New Year's Eve down there.  It has become our tradition to get In and Out burger for dinner and then play a bunch of games until we ring in the New Year with New York at 10:00.  It truly is the best way to spend the holiday.  We have such a good time and everyone is safe by staying in.  I seriously would not have it any other way!  

    This year, Adam and Jane sent us this jelly bean game for Christmas.  We saved it to bring to Scottsdale with us.  The game consisted of normal jelly beans and also disgusting flavors like skunk, moldy cheese, baby wipes.  You had to spin a spinner and pick that jelly bean.  You didn't know until you took a bite if you got a good bean or a gross one.  Poor Dawson got the skunk flavored one on his first turn.  He refused to play after that.  The gross jelly beans were really, really bad.  I got a dog food one and could not get the taste out of my mouth for hours.  Lost of laughs were definitely had during that game!

Time for some pie face

Papa playing pie face

My turn.  I swear that game had it out for  me.  I got pied almost every turn.  

Exhibit A

Ashlyn getting pie in her face

Gracie played one time, got pied and then decided it was not for her

Ringing in the New Year with some apple cider.  (We all were immediately in bed and asleep minutes after we celebrated).  

It was warm enough to eat on the patio at one of our favorite restaurants at a golf course

Enjoying the sights

So sweet

Family picture

Group shot

Gracie loves her Uncle Steven

   One afternoon, we dropped Dawson and Joey off at the train park so Dawson could enjoy it some more,  He had a great time looking at everything.  He still loves trains.

Playing in the train car

He had to ride the carousel

Christmas train

Daddy and Dawson