Phoenix

In early December, Paul and I were able to get away for a few days to Phoenix!  My sister Hattie and brother-in-law Brandon moved there in August so it was great seeing them in their new home!  

Reunited!

Hattie took us to Lo-Lo's for chicken and waffles :)

Brandon had to work the day we flew into Phoenix.  He is a high school science and P.E. teacher right now at Glenview Prep.  His school is fairly new but located in an old building.  When asked to coach P.E. they gave him five jump-ropes and two frisbees.  There is no gym and P.E. class is held outside.  He was also asked to coach the high school boys' basketball team.  

Here they are practicing at a city park.  

Shopping around Glendale

It was fun walking around taking pictures of a landscape a little different than what we see in Iowa ;)

We are pretty sure this is a grapefruit tree

Lemons

Oranges

It was fun to see "our team" in the showcase window!  Go Hawkeyes!

My parents were in AZ a few weeks before us...so had to mock them a little and copy their picture.  

Scottsdale

We got up before the sunrise on our last full day in Phoenix to hike Camelback.

We made it to the top to see the real Christmas tree some people hauled up their for the season!

We went to Top Golf.  Definitely recommended!  

My brother ended up being in Phoenix and our trips overlapped a day so we were able to meet him at Top Golf too!  

Siblings in PHX!

Brandon is from Portland and the Trailblazers were in PHX to play the Suns so we took in the NBA action.  Trailblazers won ;)

The next morning before we left, we were able to see Coach P do his thing as his team was in a tournament.  They didn't win when we watched but I think they are starting to make some progress!  ;)  They aren't too into running set plays...more street ball action than anything!  They were fun to watch though and we were glad to see Brandon doing such a good job with them.  

Meanwhile...Paul's parents stayed with our three kiddos!  I was sad not to take them with us because they LOVE their Uncle Brandon and Aunt Hattie.  But since Brandon and Hattie were able to make plans to come home for Christmas we knew the kids would get to see them just a couple weeks later.  

It was Crazy Hair day at school so Grandma Ruth asked Ruby what she wanted.  Three spiked ponytails was the final product ;)

Ruby got to attend her cousin Sydney's Christmas program at school one afternoon.

And donuts at church before Christmas program practice.  

Jace got to have a date to McDonald's with just Grandma Ruth.  

Annie played a lot with Papa Gary.

We feel so lucky to have such wonderful and willing parents to take care of our kids while we were gone!  Our kids loved spending time with their grandparents as well!  Our time in Phoenix was wonderful and Hattie and Brandon, we look forward to returning!  With or without kids!