Spring is on a break in Utah....

...so we headed to Phoenix to be reminded of what Spring should be!! If you live in Utah, you will know what I mean. Enough snow, rain and cold already!

Last week we headed south for some warmth and fun with family. We stayed with Heidi and Dave in Fountain Hills (thank you!!!). We enjoyed staying at their beautiful home...such beautiful desert views and a great pool that the kids couldn't get enough of. We were able to see Ryan and Jodi several times as well.

It seems most of our activities centered around eating out. It's always about the food, isn't it?? The Phoenix area definitely has no shortage of fabulous restaurants (and shopping) and we had no problem eating our way through town. Tia Rosa's for a little Mexican, Canal in Scottsdale for a fancy-schpancy, very delicious grilled cheese, Sprinkles for incredible cupcakes, La Grande Orange for red velvet cake and gelato and Canoso Brothers for fabulous pizza (NY transplants making incredibly authentic pizza!) and we hit In & Out a couple times (I think I like 5 Guys better, but In & Out is tasty and more reasonably priced).

It's a wonder we were able to move are rear ends around with all we ate, but we did manage to enjoy some great activities. I did my first hill run of my training. These were no little hills...more like straight up and straight down. No recovery. I managed 30 min of torture. Chad, he is crazy...he did the hill run twice in one day and one more time the next day. He is obviously taking to the running thing better than I am. The girls and I went to a great train park in Scottsdale. We met Jodi and her nieces. What a fun park. Sarah just loved "her new cousins" as she calls them. They even exchanged friendship rocks. The boys went to a Diamond Backs game with Chad and Uncle Ryan.

After the park, I got to meet Katie Covington Lamb for lunch! How fun was this?? I never get to see her and it was just wonderful to visit. I wish I could see her more often...love you, Katie! As much as we loved all the eating, one of the trip highlights was the Arizona Science Center. If you are headed to Phoenix I highly recommend this. I am often disappointed with these children's museums (high prices, luke warm exhibits), but not this. The tickets were only $7 for kids and $9 for adults...and you can get bogo coupons at local libraries. I was so impressed with the exhibits....all very engaging and interactive. Heidi and I raced wheelchairs, we learned about poop and even laid on a bed of nails! We loved the technology room...we had such a kick distorting our faces. Well, except Jenna. I think it scared her, but being the great mom I am, forced her to sit of my lap and get a photo. (It was for posterity, people!! We all need crazy photos of every family member, right?)

Of course Heidi and Dave's pool was always on the kids mind...they couldn't get enough. Even on Saturday when it was rainy and cold, they managed to spend a long time in the heated pool. We also had a great time making s'mores around their fire pit.

This is definitely the time of year to be in Arizona...it was just beautiful! I wish we could have stayed longer for more friends (I missed seeing Camille) eating, shopping and sun. It seems there is just never enough time, but we were grateful to get away nonetheless! Thanks again to Heidi and Dave for your hospitality!