Thursday, July 28, 2016

Sedona Trip

Last week I went up to Sedona for a couple of days for a work conference. Last year Justin and the girls came up as well (here) but this year it was too hard since we had just gone on vacation so I went up by myself. I definitely missed the girls (thank you facetime) but it was nice to have the time to myself. I got caught in some REALLY hard rain on the drive up which was not fun in my Prius, but once I got up it was so nice and cool. I just love being up there. I also got up early one morning before the conference started and got in a hike to Devils Bridge. I had never done it before and went completely by myself. There was not even anyone else on the trail because I went so early, which was a little weird at times because I wasn't sure if I was going the right way, but it was so beautiful at the top. Sedona is awesome and I am so glad I got the chance to go again this year. Here are some pictures and a little video from my hike:

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Had to use the self-timer to get this picture!

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Happy 21st Birthday Katy!

Almost 2 weeks ago my littlest sister, Katy, turned 21! She turned 21 only three days after I turned 30 so originally I thought it would be fun to celebrate together, possibly in Vegas, but then our family reunion was scheduled at the same time and since she is busy with her last year of college soccer about to start, we decided to do a staycation and go out in Scottsdale. Her actual 21st birthday was on a Wednesday so my siblings and I met my mom out for a quick weeknight drink which was actually really fun. We just went to Chili's and had a beer but someone did by her a shot which was funny. A few days later we checked in to the DoubleTree in Scottsdale for our night out. We hung out at the pool for a little bit before getting our makeup done at Sephora, which is basically my favorite place on Earth. I didn't have a super concrete plan but more a few spots I wanted to stop in at and it ended up being a really fun night. My sister-in-law joined us and my mom and older sister met us for dinner at Bottled Blonde. The pizza was actually really good there. A couple of my sister's friends also made it out along with her boyfriend. After Bottled Blonde we went to Whiskey Row for a little bit before checking out Maya. I thought Maya was supposed to be cool but it was super dead. We weren't there for very long and then ended the night at Dakota. It was packed but I think it was the most fun of all the places. It was pretty hot though and we were all sweaty by the end of the night. I forget that my sister has never gone out like this before so at the first place she went to the bathroom, she came out and was surprised that someone was "working" in the bathroom (the bathroom attendant). Haha. She had no idea these existed and what they do. So innocent! Even my sister's boyfriend didn't know that some girls have a job just to dance at clubs. Kids! Scottsdale is definitely no Vegas, but I had a lot of fun and now I really want to go to Vegas!

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The Yancone's
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shots!
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Mostly good experience at the DoubleTree
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Our room was right by the salt water pool and they allow you to bring your own drinks!
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Even Nora stopped by
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Kim and Katy and Alex and Katy
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Carly likes to party
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not a bad crew

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Winter in July

Just over a week ago we went to the Winter in July event at the Phoenix Zoo. Basically it is a day at the zoo where they bring in lots of snow (ice) for the animals and the kids to play with. It is also free for zoo members. We had fun last year and I posted a video of it HERE. My sister met us there with just Teddy but we still had a lot of fun. They had the same snowball throwing area as last year and snow play area for the little kids which was nice. They also added a snow slide but they weren't really ready and didn't have any sleds to slide down on. Everly also chickened out...shocker. Aspen went on the carousel which we haven't tried with her in a while and she did really well. All of the kids had fun at the splashpad and were pooped by the time we left. We have been to the Prowl and Play event in the summer and I am not a fan, but I do like the Winter in July event and am glad we went again! Hopefully I get to take the girls to the zoo again this week!

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bright and early!
 
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lots of people but not toooo bad.
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Teddy's cute swim trunks courtesy of me!
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keepin cool
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love the tiger exhibit!
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peace out, zoo!

Monday, July 25, 2016

Portland Trip Video...Finally!

So last November Justin and I took a trip to Portland, Oregon to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. I made a photobook earlier this year and posted all about our trip here but I totally lagged about putting together a video from our tip because I had a lot of footage and I don't sit down at the computer at home very often. I ended up getting some time this weekend so I finally sat down and busted it out because next I need to work on our family reunion video! I am so glad we committed to taking this trip and really enjoyed Portland so I am glad we have this video to remember our time there.


Tuesday, July 19, 2016

The Strong National Museum of Play

On our last morning in Rochester my sister and I took the kids to the children's museum in Rochester, The Strong. We were also lucky enough to meet up with a family friend from when we were younger who has 2 little girls, one of which is in between Everly and Teddy's ages so that was fun. I was really excited about this museum because they have a Sesame Street section which Aspen is very obsessed with and their play grocery store is a pretend "Wegman's" which we are obsessed with, haha. The museum was huge. Much bigger than the Phoenix Children's Museum. They had lots of different areas to play in as well as lots of old vintage toys on display. The grocery store was really cool because they actually checked out groceries and got a receipt. The kids had a lot of fun playing there and would have stayed for hours upon hours if we let them. Teddy would have played with the legos the entire time if we didn't pull him away. Everly and my friend's daughter Ellie liked playing with the pretend Vet area and it was so cute to watch them play together. Kids imaginations are funny! My sister has gone before but it was my first time and I am really glad we went. We had a 4 hour drive up to Lake George after going so it was a great way to wear out the kids.

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Everly and Ellie at Sesame Street
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I recently bought a Sesame Street episode for the plane ride and it was the one playing at the museum.
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this taxi was a hit.
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The picture on the right cracks me up with Aspen in the background.
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Justin said he had one of those creepy looking dolls.
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Aspen got pissed when I wouldn't let her leave with that giant Elmo.


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Of course we had to get Abbott's again before leaving Rochester.

Weekend in Review

Summer is basically here and we are already in full on pool season. On Friday I had the day off so I spent some time with Aspen and took he...