Vacations Have to Come to an End

Five days….five days of absolute bliss of floating in pools, eating everything, drinking alcoholic treats, frolicking (dying) in 107 degree weather and spending time with family. Vacations are the hardest when you know there is the reality of work and you have to go back to it eventually. Let me start off by saying that we had THE BEST time in Arizona. We were able to explore the brunch spots, the different cities within the state, the sunburns, the driving from city to city with ease and not worrying about traffic and just relaxing.

On this trip we traveled with two extremely important figures in our little family’s life and we are so blessed to be able to experience trips with them. They both love and care for Donovan and are consistently giving him better gifts then his own parents. (Ex. We got Donovan a set of plastic golf clubs from Target; they got him his own LEGIT set of IRON clubs for his 3^rd birthday. Thank you for always raising the bar). Adam and Ashley are two people who will always be strong influences in our lives; whenever we think of a good restaurant to go to in Seattle or a trip, they are the first faces that come to mind to ask to come with us. Adam is Tony’s cousin and just like myself, Ashley was married into the family by exchanging vows with Adam in the most unforgettable and GORGEOUS wedding that I had ever experienced (I mean, my wedding was pretty fun, but Adam and Ashley’s wedding deserves to be in those wedding magazines that every newly engaged woman enviously looks through).

Adam is thoughtful, detailed, smart and consistently sets a good example to Tony of how to dress like a professional adult (thank GOD for Adam, just kidding Tony, I love you!)

Ashley is someone I look up to as someone who is organized, fashionable, fun spirited, and “cultured” and I can ALWAYS count on her to come with me to new brunch spots and have drinks on rooftop bars.

They both gave us the pleasure of having Donovan in their wedding as the ring bearer. I STILL am so grateful that I was able to be a “ring bearer mom aka Dance mom” and they fulfilled that goal for me. They both love Disneyland just as much as we do and I cannot wait for another fun trip with them (New Orleans Adam and Ashley? Just saying….)

I mean, could this be any more PERFECT?!

In Arizona, we had brunch at a few places that included The Hash Kitchen which served the BEST mimosas for $3 dollars!!! And kids eat free on Mondays…win, win situation right there.

Best part besides the mimosas was their Breakfast Bruschetta

We also went to Snooze in the Am, an extremely trendy spot that was located in the heart of Arizona State University district that fondly reminded me of the U District in Seattle.

Dinner was nothing short than a magical (ummmm tipsy) experience for us as we dined at North Italia in the upscale Kierland Commons shopping area in Scottsdale. Delicious appetizers, innovated pasta (I tried squid ink pasta for the first time, but that was after chugging a margarita) and wonderful staff.

Happy Hour included drinks at Tommy Bahama also located in the Kierland Commons. Did you know that Tommy Bahama (yes, the clothing store) has a full on dining experience in their island inspired restaurant with BEAUTIFUL food?! If you are in the area, you MUST try them!

We took Donovan to the Lego Land center located ….. for only about $23 a person you can experience two rides that are equivelant to the Dumbo ride and the Toy Story ride in Disneyland, building Lego cars, a 4D show in a theater, and the most impressive building display of different sceneries of Arizona.

We ended our time playing Top Golf which to be honest, I was totally skeptical of but once I tried it, I was surprisingly finding myself swinging that golf club, missing the ball, and enjoying it while it was happening. The best way I can describe Top Golf is, think Lucky Strike in Bellevue, but golf instead of bowling.

The 4^th of July was spent with family on Tony’s side (and my brother Tanner and his girlfriend) as we BBQ’d, lounged in a pool, made s’mores and lit sparklers. As I grow older and I hope wiser, I realize just how important family is and how fully blessed Tony and I are to have such wonderful family on both sides of our families. I continue to think of how I lucked out when I married Tony and fell in love with his family on both sides. These people have loved, supported and have continuously made me feel like I was always a part of them.

Tasha was our wonderful and BEAUTIFUL host while we were there.

As the summer continues, our trips and experiences will continue as well! I hope you all had an AMAZING 4^th of July and thank you to everyone who has served or are serving for our freedom!

XOXOXO

Tiff