Scottsdale!

Frank and I just returned from the most wonderful vacation!  We left last Thursday evening for Scottsdale and enjoyed 5 nights/4.5 days of relaxing, shopping, dining, sight-seeing, and sleeping in!  :)  This was the longest we have ever been away from both kids, but it was so nice for us to enjoy time with it just being the two of us.  With Emerson we have been away from her for I think 3 nights one time before and when Cameron was born we were away from her for around 5-6 nights, but we saw her a few times during that time.  I was worried that I would be sad, but I am happy to say I was having so much fun that I was not sad... we talked on the phone a few times and I could tell she was not concerned in the least that I was not there.  Ha ha... she was having a blast with my parents.  And Cameron was as content as he coiuld be even though his second tooth is trying to poke through!  With that said, Frank and I were definitely looking forward to the hugs and kisses from our kiddos when we returned home Tuesday afternoon.

You can do a lot of stuff in 4 full days, so I will go over our itinerary. :)

Friday- Day 1- Downtown Scottsdale

Friday we sort of walked around the resort a little to see the layout and such after breakfast.  It was a beautiful resort... Hyatt of course.  Those of you who know me well know I really love Hyatt hotels.  :)  We decided what we wanted to do over the next several days, one of which was the Tomcar adventure for Saturday!  After scheduling that we made spa reservations as well for Sunday because it is not a vacation unless I get a massage!  Then we decided to go shopping at the mall and walk around downtown Scottsdale.  While in the mall I found a few Christmas gifts and Frank and I completed our outfits for our family pictures we plan to take this weekend.  Then we had lunch at Grimaldi's, a popular pizza restaurant that we also have in Texas before walking around downtown Scottsdale.  The weather was absolutely beautiful the entire trip so it was nice when walking around... maybe a little warm, but when in the shade it was perfect.  There were lots of interesting shops and a TON of shops with artwork and sculptures.  It was relaxing to just walk and enjoy the surroundings.  Here are some pictures from the afternoon.

View from our huge balcony looking straight out.  We could see the mountains in the distance as well... very nice.  

The view looking to the left where you can see some of the pool area.

The sidewalk in downtown Scottsdale explaining the self-guided tour.

I just thought that was neat.  

The downtown area

Outside of one really cool shop.

I think ivy covered walls are so pretty.

I thought this was pretty too.  

After getting back to the hotel there was a Native American dance demonstration that we caught the end of as well.  It actually woke me up from my nap so we went down to see what was going on!  :)

 Saturday- Day 2- Green Zebra Tomcar Adventure Day!

Saturday was the day for the Tomcar adventure!  Again another day of beautiful weather so after breakfast we boarded the giant van to go to the desert!   While on the way the guide was telling us how all the land was owned by the Yavapai Indians and how many businesses they owned.  The Green Zebra adventure company leases the land for the adventures from the Indians.  It was interesting to hear about it and see how powerful the tribe is in the area.  But back to the Tomcars!  Frank and I both enjoyed driving the car through the rocky and dusty desert terrain.  There was seriously one point where I thought the vehicle could turn on its side, but I doubt it was close.  Truth be told I am not the adventurous type when it comes to moving vehicles, but it was a lot of fun driving the tomcars!  We were given green bandanas to help us breathe with all the dust flying around and that was definitely necessary because it was incredibly dusty!

A view of the desert area right before getting in the tomcars

Outside our Green Zebra Tomcar with our bandanas!

Frank is ready to go!

You can see some of the bumpy trail.

I got to drive as well!

We stopped halfway through at this beautiful riverbed.  

Would you believe this was in the desert in Arizona?!

You can see how dusty it got!!

After getting back to the hotel we enjoyed lunch and then I went and got a pedicure while Frank went and putted and chipped at the golf course.  :)

Day 3- Sunday- Gainey Ranch golf

Sunday morning we went to the Gainey Ranch golfcourse.  We actually only played 9 holes, well, I played 1.8 holes and frank played 9.  :)  I took some pictures along the way.  It was a beautiful course, but Frank was really disappointed that they didn't tell us they had over seeded the greens and fairways.  So the fairways were like the rough and the greens were S-L-O-W... I mean for real, slow.  I hit a couple of tee shots and did well, then on one tee shot I hit a ball in the water and was annoyed.  :)  Since the course was not in the condition he hoped we decided to just play 9 holes and go hang out by the pool at the resort.  That was nice because it was a sunny and warm day... perfect for lounging by the pool!  Later that afternoon we both had spa appointments for massages so we definitely that!

Outside the putting green.

Yes, I just hit a tee shot!

It was a pretty course!

Some of the holes had some mountain views.

On the 9th hole.

Day 4- Monday- Sedona

Since we had a full day with nothing scheduled and we heard how beautiful Sedona was we decided to drive out to enjoy it ourselves!  It was just over a 2 hour drive through the desert and mountains and was well worth it.  As soon as we saw the red mountains we were glad we came... they are really beautiful.  I was wishing we could see them at sunset because I am sure they look even more amazing.  After driving to get good shots of the mountains and sort of hiking up a couple of hills in my sandals (ha ha) at one rest stop we drove around to some shops.  The concierge at hotel told us about Tlaquepaque, this beautiful little shopping village area in Sedona.  It is right along a creek and is inspired by Mexico.  We enjoyed lunch in The Secret Garden, which was so delicious.  I took tons of pictures of both the mountains and the village.

Frank was silly and found that the driver's seat reclined fully.  :)

I love how the leaves on the trees are golden.

See the moon?

When we went hiking sort of...

Tlaquepaque

The entrance to the shopping village

One of the courtyard areas in the village.

A beautifully decorated fountain.

I thought this door looked so neat.

A view of the chapel

Inside the chapel...

I think this is a pretty darn cool picture.  

Just another view of the shopping area

They celebrated Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and had this out still...

Enjoying lunch in The Secret Garden

As we were driving back to the hotel we actually got pulled over for speeding... and we got a ticket.  :( That was not good, but we didn't let it ruin the beautiful day we had in Sedona.  After we got back to the hotel we got back out to the pool for just a few minutes.  Then we hung out before dinner.  It was a really wonderful day!

I also want to comment on how absolutely delicious all the food was on our trip.  While in general resort food is good, the food at the restaurants on site were beyond good, they were fantastic.  Our hotel had the SWB- Southwest Bistro where we enjoyed breakfast daily and also had lunch a couple of times.  One night we went to dinner at La Hacienda (not to be confused with la Hacienda Ranch) and the food was unique and tasted so good!  Our last night we ate at Alto, the italian restaurant and it was also incredibly tasty.  After that dinner we enjoyed a gondola ride through the water channel between the resort and the golf course and we were serenaded with a lovely Italian song.  So that was romantic.  :)  Here are pictures of our favorite breakfasts.

A version of french toast made with egg whites served with agave nectar!

Whole grain and oatmeal pancakes... so delicious!

We are just so glad we were able to enjoy this vacation together... it was very special to us to have the time together.  And it was comforting to know our kids were in great hands while we were gone and that they were having so much fun.  Thanks for my parents, my sister Amanda, and my brother, John Paul.  Thanks for taking care of our little angels so we could get away for a few days!  :)