Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Friday, April 11, 2014

Spring Break in Arizona

Did you think I disappeared? Life around our house has been eventful the past few weeks. We have been here there and everywhere.... from sporting events and family milestones to spring break get-aways and more house renovations.

My favorite part of March was the week we flew to Arizona to spend Spring Break with my brother. My brother is in his forth year of medical school and is currently doing rotations in Scottsdale, AZ. Since he wasn't able to be home for Christmas, we all decided that we would spend Spring Break with him. He was the best tour guide! He had every little detailed planned for us before we even arrived. Although he wasn't able to be with us during the days, he still had options and suggestions of where we should go and what we should do while he was working. He had even asked his girl friends where the best shopping, etc. was... he knows me well. =)



Arizona was beautiful! It was nothing like I had imagined. The weather truly was amazing (although I still don't believe them when they say it's not "hot" until it reaches over 115).


They had cacti EVERYWHERE. The shopping malls had even pulled the sharp points off of the cacti so that no one (particularly children) injured themselves.


Spring training was going on for many major league baseball teams and Jason had planed for us to go see the Giants and the Indians play. It was a toasty afternoon so we were very grateful that our seats were in the shade!


That night Jason took us out into the middle of the desert... really. To this little outdoor western themed restaurant that had a live band and lots of dancing. It reminded me of an old western movie. They had the best BBQ and such a fun atmosphere. Who would have ever guessed something so neat and unique would be out int he middle of a desert? (Wish I would have taken more pictures there)


(Side note: I learned something new about the desert that evening. It gets REALLY cold really fast once the sun goes down. Without humidity, there is nothing to keep the warmth in the air... wish I would have realized that before I packed all warm clothes. Ha!)

All of us at dinner (except for dad, who was taking the picture)
Later in the week, we made the long drive to the Grand Canyon. Although I may never live down this event with my husband and father, I am still glad we went! (It was 8 hours worth of driving to see the Canyon, that the boys weren't so thrilled about... but who can be that close to the Grand Canyon and not go?!)


It was absolutely breath taking beautiful!!! No one can see this and still claim that there isn't a God. Pictures don't even come close to doing it justice. 







(Side Note: If you ever make the trip to the Grand Canyon, don't expect to eat a good meal while you're there. Although there aren't many options, the options they do give you are not worth the crazy hiked up prices that come along with it)

The drive home was gorgeous. Snow capped mountains in the background and we finally saw TREES! I can only imagine someone from AZ coming to good ole Oklahoma... were trees are rampant! 



And back to the desert we went...


Although Arizona was nothing like I had imagined and expected, I loved our time we spent there. It is a beautiful part of our country that now is home to one of my favorite people. Although our whole family is ready for my brother to head back home to us, I am very thankful that he loves where he is and that he is only a short flight away. Hurry home, Jason! I'm sure Lee will need your medical attention by then... Ha! =)



Tuesday, February 19, 2013

A NYC NewYear

After we left Washington D.C. {see post here} we took a train to New York City!

I must say, upon arrival, I was less than thrilled to be there. PEOPLE EVERYWHERE!

My small country life thinking was quickly rocked.

Once we were settled in our hotel and able to breathe a little-- I began to enjoy our visit to the City much more! (Although, a visit was enough-- I don't plan on ever living in a city that large. Small town life can spoil a girl.)

We stayed in the heart of downtown and it was incredible.

The view from our room

Before we left for our trip, we had made a list (mentally of course-- if you know us very well you know we obviously don't plan THAT much in advance) of the places we wanted to see before we left.

One of the top sites on our list was the 9/11 Memorial. Oh how I can still remember tiny details from that horrific day. I was in the 6th grade. I attended a Christian school and we spent the entire day in the chapel in a circle praying for our nation. Exactly were we needed to be at the moment. On our knees.

Ground Zero. May we never forget.

At the Memorial.

The names of the fallen carved in stone.

The soon to be new World Trade Center.

View of the City from Ground Zero.

View of the City from Ground Zero.

After we left the 9/11 Memorial, we did a little Sight-Seeing.

The hubs and I in downtown NYC.

Hello FDNY!

The best pizza in NYC

And off to Broadway we went! We saw three broadway shows while in NYC. The first was Phantom of the Opera (mom & I loved it-- the guys, not so much). Next was The Lion King and it was FABULOUS! I would highly recommend it! And the final broadway show was Wicked. It was incredible!! Wicked was Lee's favorite Broadway production-- and I must say, definitely competed for my favorite spot as well. All three were spectacular!

Broadway.

Another favorite spot was Times Square. The lights and activity was unreal! Nothing can describe Times Square on New Years Eve... only something you have experience!

Times Square on New Years Eve.

Times Square

SO many people!

Right where the ball drops on New Year's Eve.

Times Square

Times Square

The hubs and I in Times Square

Can you spot us on the live camera?! {click image to enlarge}

From here on out, we were all over the City. A little here, there and everywhere!

Pastry Shoppe in Little Italy-- was delicious!

Mom and I in China Town.
BEST noodles I have EVER tasted! I still crave them.

The "kiddos" in our ride for the trip.
Definitely the way to travel through NYC!

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center

Central Park

Central Park

Anyone Recognize this Hotel?!
The largest Cathedral in the NYC area. Absolutely breath-taking inside.

I took so many pictures inside the Cathedral, but not many turned out well. It was so dark in the church that the slow shutter speed did not mix well with my constant shake.

Inside the Cathedral

 The shuttle boats were closed the day we went to see the Statue of Liberty. So we weren't able to get a close-up; however, it was still neat to be able to see it in person-- no matter the distance.

Statue of Liberty to the Left-- Ellis Island to the Right.

The hubs and I in front of Macy's

The New York Times.

New Year's Eve Dinner with the Family. Love them dearly!

The night before we left, we went to Top of the Rock. It was spectacular! It was quite eery though when you could feel the 70-story tall building swaying from side to side. Lee found out first hand about how weak at the knees you can get when getting a little too close to the edge. Heights didn't mix well with him that night. ;-)

The family on Top of the Rock

Despite the bone-chilling cold weather-- NYC was one experience we will never forget!

Love this man.

A short trip to NYC was plenty for this southern girl. I was thankful to be headed back South; however, I was grateful for the time & experiences we had while in NYC.

I will forever be dreaming of those noodles from China Town...