That was a great weekend. It felt like such a vacation - which I guess it was since it was 5 days long. Whew! We've got to do that again in the near future.
What made it so great?
It started out with a two day school week with the kids having Wednesday - Sunday off! Balin went mountain biking with a friend Wednesday morning while the kids and I got everything ready for our long weekend.
We headed down to Phoenix as we were all converging at my mom's house for the weekend - which was spectacular! But before we got to her house, we took the kids car shopping. We go back and forth as to whether to keep the van - one day absolutely, next day we're ready to trade it in. I've been doing some research on vehicles and boy there's not a lot out there that meets our criteria. No mini-vans, no large SUV's, MPG over 25 and preferably over 30, seats 6-7, AWD. It does leave us a couple of choices; 2014 Highlander Hybrid, Mercedes R320 or R350 CDI or Blue Tec, Volvo XC90, BMW X5d - Balin likes the Volvo, I like the Mercedes but the Highlander is really the best vehicle for space, MPG and lack of pretentiousness. (Though I can get a used Mercedes with 30k miles for under $30k) So we went to dealerships and stuck the kids in the back with our seats the way we would drive and the kids had a vote, since it effects them and their leg space. They voted on the Highlander, Mercedes (which was their favorite) and the Volvo. Jury is still out and it's a good thing as we need to sell Vinny before we purchase a new vehicle.
Then we headed to Grandma's where it was 70 degrees out. The kids got on the computers and played Minecraft. All they wanted to do was play Minecraft. AHHHHH!!!! I let it go and just enjoyed myself as they were getting to do something they never get to do at home. Meanwhile we hung out outside in my mom's spectacular newly landscaped yard! It is gorgeous with a waterfall, barbecue area, outdoor fireplace and heaters - the plants alone remind me of the botanical garden. Truly amazing! So fun to sit outside at 8pm by the fire and be warm and comfortable.
For T-day my sister and her kids came down, which was really fun. Balin and I did our best to get dinner on the table while the kids helped out with setting the table and getting things ready. Dinner was delicious and done in 20 minutes - which never ceases to amaze me! Afterwards we sat outside, went for a walk and took naps.
Friday Balin and I enjoyed taking walks and dreaming about life to come for us. My brother Dan flew in that day as it was my mom's 68th birthday. It was great to have him and catch up with what's going on with the Weatbrooks.
The rest of the day we hung out, read books, watched football and did the traditional weekend stuff. Saturday we all headed back up to Prescott so that we could go down to the light parade downtown. It was fun, but we headed home after 30 minutes so we could get dinner ready for everyone that night. Balin and Dan went out for a beer or two at the Raven, while I happily watched a movie by a toasty fire.
Sunday we all met up at noon, everyone except Grandma, Sophie and Perrin who went to the mall and the movies, and the rest of us went mountain biking. Little did we know Dan had never been so he took home the blood trophy. We did 12 miles and gained 1400' which is a pretty tough ride for your first time out and coming literally from sea level. Way to go Dan - we're proud of you. We made a big pot of spaghetti and salad and everyone came over for a late lunch/dinner before heading home.
We had a great time and it's been a while since we'd all been together. Thanks everyone for making it such a great weekend.
What made it so great?
It started out with a two day school week with the kids having Wednesday - Sunday off! Balin went mountain biking with a friend Wednesday morning while the kids and I got everything ready for our long weekend.
We headed down to Phoenix as we were all converging at my mom's house for the weekend - which was spectacular! But before we got to her house, we took the kids car shopping. We go back and forth as to whether to keep the van - one day absolutely, next day we're ready to trade it in. I've been doing some research on vehicles and boy there's not a lot out there that meets our criteria. No mini-vans, no large SUV's, MPG over 25 and preferably over 30, seats 6-7, AWD. It does leave us a couple of choices; 2014 Highlander Hybrid, Mercedes R320 or R350 CDI or Blue Tec, Volvo XC90, BMW X5d - Balin likes the Volvo, I like the Mercedes but the Highlander is really the best vehicle for space, MPG and lack of pretentiousness. (Though I can get a used Mercedes with 30k miles for under $30k) So we went to dealerships and stuck the kids in the back with our seats the way we would drive and the kids had a vote, since it effects them and their leg space. They voted on the Highlander, Mercedes (which was their favorite) and the Volvo. Jury is still out and it's a good thing as we need to sell Vinny before we purchase a new vehicle.
Then we headed to Grandma's where it was 70 degrees out. The kids got on the computers and played Minecraft. All they wanted to do was play Minecraft. AHHHHH!!!! I let it go and just enjoyed myself as they were getting to do something they never get to do at home. Meanwhile we hung out outside in my mom's spectacular newly landscaped yard! It is gorgeous with a waterfall, barbecue area, outdoor fireplace and heaters - the plants alone remind me of the botanical garden. Truly amazing! So fun to sit outside at 8pm by the fire and be warm and comfortable.
For T-day my sister and her kids came down, which was really fun. Balin and I did our best to get dinner on the table while the kids helped out with setting the table and getting things ready. Dinner was delicious and done in 20 minutes - which never ceases to amaze me! Afterwards we sat outside, went for a walk and took naps.
Friday Balin and I enjoyed taking walks and dreaming about life to come for us. My brother Dan flew in that day as it was my mom's 68th birthday. It was great to have him and catch up with what's going on with the Weatbrooks.
The rest of the day we hung out, read books, watched football and did the traditional weekend stuff. Saturday we all headed back up to Prescott so that we could go down to the light parade downtown. It was fun, but we headed home after 30 minutes so we could get dinner ready for everyone that night. Balin and Dan went out for a beer or two at the Raven, while I happily watched a movie by a toasty fire.
Sunday we all met up at noon, everyone except Grandma, Sophie and Perrin who went to the mall and the movies, and the rest of us went mountain biking. Little did we know Dan had never been so he took home the blood trophy. We did 12 miles and gained 1400' which is a pretty tough ride for your first time out and coming literally from sea level. Way to go Dan - we're proud of you. We made a big pot of spaghetti and salad and everyone came over for a late lunch/dinner before heading home.
We had a great time and it's been a while since we'd all been together. Thanks everyone for making it such a great weekend.
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| Saturday night at the light parade. |
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| Taking four dogs for a walk Sunday morning was a little much for Balin, he got kind of grumpy. |
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