Our Cool Weekend Adventure

Last weekend, Caleb, Emmy and I took our first away-from-home vacation. We weren't sure if Emmy would tolerate sleeping in a hotel or messing with her nap schedule, but she did just fine.

Before heading to Cardinals' training camp, we checked into our hotel.


We arrived at practice on time and found seats. Emmy played with her mini football and watched practice and all the fans. After practice, we were lucky that Emmy agreed to wait and get a few signatures :)



We met and got autographs of Beanie Wells. This is Emmy and Beanie (reminiscent of the Lloyd Dobbler and Diane Court photo.)


DRC (Rodgers-Cromartie) - mommy's new favorite player, who has a ton of potential!


and Coach Whiz (who Mommy liked the best.)


After practice Emmy and I sat in the cool grass at NAU while Daddy returned to camp to find my cell phone which Emmy dropped under the bleachers.


Friday morning we awoke and attempted another session of training camp. This time, it was cold and windy. Emmy enjoyed herself, until her muffin was gone and the excitement of her Cardinals' balloon wore off.



Later in the day, we headed to Sedona for a glorious night at L'Auberge Resort. If you haven't had the pleasure, I'd highly recommend staying in their garden or creekside cottages! We loved the beds.



We settled right in and headed to lunch creekside.


We took a self-guided tour of the property, saw the L'Auberge ducks and the apricot and pomegranite trees surrounding the resort.




Emmy was more interested in the creek than the ducks. But once she got to the edge, she did her best Moses impression but the creek wouldn't part.



These pictures were taken in front of our cottage and on the back porch.



On Saturday, we traveled to Red Rock Crossing (thanks Harpers for the directions!) and explored. Emmy was teething and not in the mood to play in the creek or explore. I tried to sing Dora the Explorer songs to cheer her up, but she wasn't interested in hearing "I'm the map." We got our photos and promptly bailed.






After a nap, Emmy took a shower in the outdoor shower attached to our cottage. A huge pine tree covered us and Emmy thought it was great.



On Saturday morning, we ate breakfast creekside before heading back to Phoenix. Emmy and Caleb enjoyed reading the morning paper together.


We loved L'Auberge so much, we've vowed to return soon for more relaxation and cooler weather in the fall.

Strawberry Goodness

Last weekend we trekked up north for a weekend at the cabin. Leaving the heat behind, we were able to log some outdoor time.

Grandma and Grandpa took Emmy on a tour of their garden.




We celebrated Caleb's birthday, read books, relaxed and took part in a pool tourney. Who knew Preacher Karen was such a pool shark?!



In the morning, Emmy and Grandma sat at the table and watched the squirrels take peanuts off the deck.


Later, Grandpa and Emmy took a walk in Grandpa's new grass.


Emmy semi-cooperated for some family photos. We thought the pine cones would keep her enticed, but no such luck. She just wanted down to explore.



Then it was time to head back to the Valley. We weren't too happy leaving the cool pines, but will return to Northern Arizona in early August for Cardinals' Training Camp. Emmy has been anxiously awaiting camp since she sat on the couch last year and watched her Cards lose the Superbowl. Here's to another great year of football!

The F Words

Father's Day and Fireworks. No, no potty mouth for Emmy, but I thought that would grab your attention.

This wasn't officially Caleb and Emmy's first Father's Day, but it was the first that Emmy could really get out and celebrate. We went out for brunch mid-morning and met up with Grandpa later on for dinner.



After dinner, we took some family photos outside.



Daddies kissing their little girls


Later that night, Daddy read Emmy her favorite book.


In between the F words, Emmy practiced her mobility. She wants to practice walking anytime she can. Her knees were getting so red, I put her kneepads on, but she just tore them off anyway.



On the Fourth of July, we took Emmy out to see fireworks. We brought our chairs and sat, waiting for the big show.


I remembered hating the loud booms when I was a child and thought Emmy would cry. I covered her ears, but soon she got used to the noise.


Emmy was mesmorized by the flashes of light.



By the end of the show, Emmy was beat down. It was hot and nearly 3 hours past her bedtime.


After sitting in the parking lot, waiting for traffic to clear, Emmy was out like a light. It was a Happy Fourth of July.