Stephens' Stories: March 2014

Friday, March 28, 2014

Mommy Daddy airplane Scottsdale

David and I flew on an airplane to Scottsdale over the last weekend in January. Austin had a fun weekend with DiDi and MiMi. It was a fun, relaxing get-away without kids before baby Campbell arrives. We stayed at Montelucia (www.montelucia.com). It was a Mediterranean-styled hotel and was very relaxing. The weather was Perfect (low to mid 70's during the day, and upper 40's at night), with NO humidity! We didn't really plan anything except that I had a prenatal massage one day. We even just went to see a movie (Lone Survivor) on the first night. We ate at some yummy restaurants and sat out by the pool/hot tub a few times. On Saturday morning we hiked Camelback mountain, along with many other people - apparently that is the thing to do on Saturday mornings in Scottsdale. It was not an easy hike but also was not a Colorado hike (no altitude issue there). It was more awkward for me because of being 29 weeks pregnant - there was climbing involved, using hands. It took about 3 hours round trip and we were taking it easy. David was exhausted though - seems that he needs to spend more time in on the stair master at the gym! :) It was a perfect place to go in January for some sunshine where I didn't have to wear a bathing suit the whole time! David didn't even play golf even though it is known for its golf courses. (not sure what he was thinking, but fine by me). We are fortunate to have both grandparents here in Houston that were willing to take care of and entertain Austin for 3 days/3 nights so that we could escape before baby #2 arrives. It was so strange being away from Austin and we sure missed him but enjoyed face-timing a couple of times. David even had to change his flight home to fly direct to Dallas for work (due to a "winter storm") and wear the same clothes for 4 days straight, so he was away from Austin for almost a whole week. Here are a few pics of the weekend....

Oranges!

View from hike up Camelback

Exhausted David

View from the top overlooking Scottsdale/Phoenix

Rare photo of the 2 of us

looking back at where we hiked

On the way down

First purchase for baby Campbell - some $5 shoes at a consignment store - 2nd child gets the used stuff! :)

David insisted on eating here - true diner

The sidewalk to our room ("Villa" - it was huge- probably about 800 square feet) through the resort

Ice cream at the "Sugar Bowl" - an establishment for over 60 years - pink booths and walls and all

Yum!

The fountains and pools at the Montelucia

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Christmas Photo Blast

Since it is now March and I haven't blogged about Christmas yet, I thought the most efficient way would be to post all of my pictures with captions because pictures are all people really look at anyways, right? We had a blessed Christmas season celebrating with friends and family. It was Austin's third Christmas but his first to really "get" anything. He loved driving by the Santas, snowmen, and Baby Jesus in the yards in our neighborhood. He was obsessed with "BIG Santa" - a probably 12 foot tall santa a few streets over. He liked decorating cookies for Santa but wouldn't sit in his lap for a picture at Lakeside or our neighborhood party. He did sit with Santa at school (I think because of peer pressure) so we did get one picture this year. It loved teaching Austin about the birth of Jesus through the nativity sets in our house. We now have many new toys to fill our house and yard, including a trampoline, a big bouncy ball, an easel, and a basketball hoop, to name a few. It was also Austin's last Christmas as an only child - next year he will be sharing the season with his baby brother! Here come the pictures....