Christmas 2012

 

 I love Christmas. It has been my favorite time of year for as long as I can remember. This year was HECTIC to say the least. Because I am a crazy person, I decided it would be a good idea to throw my sister a baby shower 3 weeks before Christmas (which I will cover in another post). The shower was in Cleveland, which meant traveling via air twice in a short time span. I felt like we pretty much got home from the shower, unpacked, did laundry, repacked, and headed back to the airport. Lol!

We spent Christmas in Arizona, and it was whirlwind. We flew out on Sunday the 23rd bright and early. Got in around 9 and my aunt Mary Ellen was at the airport waiting for us. We went to breakfast at IHop then headed back to the airport to pick up our bags, as they had to go on a later flight. We then headed to my grandparents house in Scottsdale where I had a photoshoot scheduled for noon. Crazy right? It was for one of the sweetest families. I have known them since high school so it was a lot of fun to see everyone. We even made due with the harsh noon lighting by finding some good shade in the back. As soon as the shoot was over I showered and did my nose treatment (I have been having to do this crazy antibiotic nose inhalation for a month now because I can't get rid of a sinus infection with oral antibiotics). Then Adam, Sadie and I all took a nap together before everyone started arriving for the White Elephant party. The party started around 5 but people started to arrive around 4 I think. After the party we headed up the mountain to Payson, where my parents live. The next day was, of course, Christmas Eve. I was very happy that we got to spend it in the pine trees instead of the valley. We did our usual Christmas Eve dinner at my grandparent's house up there. Christmas morning everyone kind of slept in. My mom made her famous biscuts and gravy. We ate and then opened gifts. Sadie had a lot of fun! That afternoon while Sadie napped Adam and I got to go on a hike. It was pretty with lots of snow on the mountains. In the meantime, our neighbors on both sides were sending us photos of our house and street-a white Christmas at home in Texas. We were pretty bummed to say the least! That night my mom hosted Christmas dinner. My aunt Mary Ellen and cousin Shannon drove up, and grandma and grandpa came over. The next day we went to visit Aunt Norma and then headed out to the cabin where there was LOTS and LOTS of snow. Of course, I forgot my camera, so the photos I do have came from my iPhone. My parents have done an amazing job expanding and remodeling. The boys made a fire and we all had hot chocolate. Sadie and I took a nap. We woke up and headed back just before dark. The 27th we went back down to the valley for the annual family Karaoke party at cousin Ron and Vicky's. Before that, we stopped at grandma and grandpa's house for a car so that Adam and I could go see our friends, the Kelley's. Sadie was going to go with us, but had been wanting to go for a boat ride for days, so she stayed behind while Adam and I headed off. We had such a great visit with Karly and Carl. They are the best of friends and we are so thankful for them. We quickly had to get to the karaoke party, so off we went! Had a great time catching up with my cousins and trying to talk them into a Texas visit. :) After the party, we headed back up the mountain to Payson. The next day it was back down to the valley for Adam and me, as I had an 8th grade class reunion. It was a lot of fun seeing everyone, and it seemed like we all picked up right where we left off. Crazy! Adam and I got to stay at my grandparent's place that night which was so relaxing. The next morning, grandma and I headed out to Mesa for another shower for Sara, then got back to the house in just enough time to pack and get to the airport to catch our flight back to Dallas. Our flight got delayed, which put us home at about midnight. We got in and got Sadie to bed while Adam and I set up "Christmas morning" for the next day. I think we finally got to bed around 2am! The next day we had our own little Christmas, which was really nice. For New Year's we had a handful of good friends over, including Sadie's friend Molly. They had a blast playing together. That is pretty much our holiday in a nutshell. Here are some photos of the week! Enjoy! Happy New Year!

                                                 Hanging out with daddy on the boat dock

                                   This was my dress when I was her age-my mom made it!

                                                               Beautiful AZ Sunset

                                                       Seeing grandpa for the first time

                                            Nice shot of Aunt Mary Ellen and Shannon

                                        Sadie in her typical fingers in her mouth pose

                                                                   White Elephant

                                       Uncle Carl, my grandpa Dalton, and Aunt Wyleese

                                               Christmas Eve, pretty fog in the distance

                                                                 The boys grilling

                                        Rice Krispy treat train my mom and Sadie made

                                                    Uncle/cousin Logan singing to the kids

                                                 These ducks went everywhere with her

                                                               Singing before gifts

                                                      The ducks even help pick wine

                                                     Best family shot we could get

                                                  Grandma Lainie and Grandpa Dalty

                                                              Christmas morning

                           Opening princess stick on jewelery from Shannon and aunt Mary Ellen

                                                 Daddy gets to wear a princess necklace

                                                            Turtle from Aunt Norma

                                                   "Christmas morning" at our house!

                                                                       At the cabin

                                                          Playing with cousin Shannon

                                      Photo that the neighbors sent of our house on Christmas :(

                                                       With my sweet girl at the cabin

                                   And finally our street on Christmas, sent by other neighbor

 

6th anniversary trip

Ok, so I am totally going out of order, but thought I'd post about our anniversary weekend: Here is the review I wrote on the place and it pretty much sums up the trip! :)

I'd been looking at staying at Travaasa Austin for our anniversary for MONTHS and luckily travelzoo ran a promotion that we could not pass up. :) From the moment you pull up to the gate, you feel like you have entered an oasis. You drive up this huge winding hill to the welcome center and are greeted by a very warm staff. We were shown to our room that was situated all the way at the back of the property. It was so peaceful. We had a canyon view room, and I believe it is smaller than the trail view, but we didn't really mind. The view from the balcony was breathtaking. We arrived late in the afternoon so most of the activities were over for the day but we decided to head out to the hiking trail. It's 2.5 miles if you do the whole thing, and not only a great workout, but very pretty as well. Such a peaceful way to start the trip! We opted to eat dinner on the property that evening and were amazed at how incredible it was! I loved how the nutrition information was listed on the menu as well. We had been told to make a reservation so we did, and there were only maybe 3 other tables in use. The next morning we had another incredible meal, this time out on the terrace. I took a Pilates class with Heather. What a workout!!! I think often times people think of Pilates as just a lot of stretching, but it really challenged me. It was great. Lunch was again fabulous and so fresh. I also spent some time at the spa, and opted to get the honey massage treatment with Amalie (sp?). It was beyond relaxing, and a great combo for someone looking for a massage and not necessarily a full facial, but something that incorporates it. The mask left my skin so clean and healthy feeling. She even sent me with the leftover and told me how to use it! Another great thing about this resort is that yes, it is 4 stars, but you see people mainly dressed in workout clothes and even spa robes. There is no expectation of needing to be dressed up. This part was especially appealing to my husband. Ladies, especially those with a "Texas boy" type like mine, will appreciate this. :) The second night, they once again recommended reservations, but we didn't take them too seriously, as the night before there were so few people. Well, we should have listened that night! There was a farm to table dinner with several chefs fom the area coming to prepare meals. We really wish we would have listened as I'm sure it would have been incredible! We wound up going into downtown Austin that evening, as it was not too far (maybe 30 minutes). The next morning we had to leave and we were so sad to go. We both agree we can't wait to return! The ONLY negative was that the first night the wind was so bad that because of my husband's allergies we were forced to use the AC and it was beyond loud (like something I'd expect in a 2-3 star hotel) that we woke up every time it kicked on. Luckily the 2nd night we were able to open the windows and get some sleep. If you go during the summer, bring earplugs. In the winter, hopefully you will be fine. All in all, can't wait to return. We left feeling sore from the workouts (love this!) relaxed, and like we'd had a true vacation! You won't regret going!

 

                                                             View from our room

                                       Adam with his "why are you taking my picture" face

                                                                       Hiking trail

                                                             A rare photo of me!

                                                                  Sunset on the trail

                                                                       Our building

 

Path to the main area of the resort, felt like camp!