Road Trip to Phoenix! Part 1.

Sometimes you just need to get out of LA...stop and smell the roses and enjoy a little mini-vacation!  My family comes to visit a couple times a year and we usually take a road trip somewhere and I also go home a couple times a year to visit family and friends so that's a nice break from LA and I always come back refreshed and rejuvenated.  So I was stoked when Brad and I decided to drive to Phoenix and spend a couple days with his family and relax in the sun :)

The drive took just over five hours and we rocked out to Incubus' new album, along with some greatest hits, Tom Petty, Smashing Pumpkins, and more.  Our first stop was Todd & Carley's to say hello to them and so that I could meet Maylen for the first time!  She was nearly five months old and absolutely adorable.  In fact, the entire time we were around her for the three days we were there she cried only once.  Maylen is by far one of the best babies I've ever been around and getting to play with her was an absolute joy.

Lunch at a Triple D Restaurant!

Brad, his parents and I went to DeFalco's the next day for Lunch because it was on 'Diner's Drive-In's & Dives.'  We ordered Gnocchi, a Prime Rib Cheese Steak, home-made Sausage, and a Calzone.  It was a lot of food but we ate nearly everything because it was all so good!  My favorite was definitely the Cheese Steak; melted cheese goodness, with steak, onions, and mushrooms.

That afternoon we all decided to go to the Phoenix Zoo which was so much fun!  Although, I was a little scared of the vultures that could fly around in the bird area, thank goodness we got to look at snakes in between; I was far less scared of them.  We must have caught the animals right after Lunch because a bunch of them were napping but the otters gave us a good show so that was neat to see.  The best part of the Zoo was doing the Giraffe Edventure and getting to feed Makope and be up close with her.  It was one of the best Zoo moments I've had in my life!

Since we didn't get to see any Bears or Sharks at the Zoo we ended the night with a Documentary called 'Bears.' It's narrated by John C Reilley and one of my favorite documentaries to date.  I kind of want John C Reilley to narrate my life...it was absolutely hilarious and if you haven't seen it, I certainly recommend it!

Feeding Makope at the Phoenix Zoo!

Part 2 of our Road Trip to Phoenix continues below...

Road Trip to Phoenix! Part 2.

Maylen loved the Go-Pro!

Brad and I spent Tuesday with Maylen and his parents but not before grabbing Lunch at Erbert's & Gerbert's!  It's my favorite sandwich place in Wisconsin and Minnesota (thanks to Jeff for reminding us their was one in Tempe) and great to get a little taste of home out in Arizona.  I got my usual Narmer, Brad got the same, along with some Broccoli Cheddar soup.  After spending the afternoon in and out of the pool it was time to get a little exercise.  Brad and I went on a long hike; I got us lost for a little bit (I'm usually really good with directions) but we made our way up the giant mountain and then back down in about an hour so it wasn't too bad.  And the view was certainly worth it!

She's such a cute lil' nugget!!

That night we had Dinner with Todd, Carly, baby Maylen, Brad and his parents at Pappadeaux which Brad's Dad has been telling him about for months.  It was one of my favorite seafood meals to date, not to mention, the company was wonderful.  We started with a Lump Crab and Spinach Dip (holy cow, this was fantastic, and I'm usually not a fan of Spinach Dip) and the Hot Smoked Salmon which was also really good.  Next up was an awesome Greek Salad and then came the main course.  I got the Chilean Seabass that had a cheesy crab gratin on top along with brussels sprouts.  It was so amazing I just kept eating even though I was full!  We didn't have any room for dessert but we had some after-dinner drinks and headed home.  

Brad's Mom and Dad had told me that when you're out hiking at night you can see scorpions with a blacklight, so after we got home, we went in search of some scorpions.  We found one about five minutes into our hike...woo hoo!  Sure enough, it did glow in the dark under the blacklight and I was happy we didn't have to go too far into the hike to find one!

Wednesday morning we all went to Waffle House (it's tradition at this point when I'm in Arizona) for Breakfast!  Always delicious and kept us full on our drive back to LA!  I was bummed to be heading back to LA after such a nice vacation but knew it was back to work for me so we jammed out all the way back home, saying goodbye to fabulous Arizona!

Overlooking the Canals in Scottsdale, Arizona

I'm seriously in love with Arizona.  I LOVE the weather, even if I haven't been there in the dead of Summer when it's ridiculously hot, I feel like there's so many other positives about it.  There's so much to do, and even living in a suburb you're close to all the cities.  There are so many different stadiums and sporting events to go and see and I always feel safe when I'm there.  It's definitely a place I would move to!

*Special thanks to Harry & Nancy for taking such great care of us while we were there and for always giving me such a warm welcome!  Thank you :)

An Arizona Wedding :)

Over Valentine's Day weekend I headed to Phoenix, Arizona, for my friend, Brad's brother's Wedding.  Todd and Carley were getting married on February 15th, and while it was my first time meeting Carley, I've known Todd for a few years from him visiting Los Angeles.  Plus, Carley's family is from Wisconsin and had a bunch of Wisconsinite's coming to Phoenix for the Wedding so I was looking forward to a fun-filled weekend!

Pizookie!!

I got in on Thursday and that was the night of the Wedding Rehearsal and Dinner.  Brad's parents were having it at this beautiful resort and the meal was just incredible.  Thankfully Brad's Dad, gave me the head's up on the giant cookie that was made to order and arrived in a deep dish pan with ice cream melting on top.  Absolutely amazing!!  

On Friday morning we went hiking in the mountains and got in a good work-out while enjoying the beautiful 80 degree day!  Brad was searching for rattlesnakes and we Go-Pro'd most of the hike but the only wild life we saw was a Jack Rabbit running along one of the mountains.  That night we went over to Carley's family's house where they were having a get-together so everyone had a chance to get to know one another.  A friend of mine, Ned, from college at Winona State University was actually there because he's been friends with her family for years!  I was just happy to get to hold some babies and chat with people from Wisconsin on top of eating more great food :)

Hiking in Phoenix!

Saturday was the Wedding and it was the perfect day for an outdoor Wedding at the Secret Garden Event Center.  The ceremony was beautiful and it wouldn't have been complete without some antics from Brad, offering a shot of Jameson from his flask to the Bride and Groom before handing over the rings.  Everyone loved it!  After that it was cocktail hour and we all made our way into the reception for Dinner and dancing.  They did a scavenger hunt before Dinner got started to see who would get to hit the buffet line first and I ended up being the one chosen to win it for our table.  Unfortunately, it was me against a woman from Wisconsin and I had my hands on that salt shaker but she wasn't going down without a fight and literally threw me around and I was far too worried about falling out of my dress to fight back.  It was all in good fun.  Dinner was yummy and then it was time for dancing and the usual Wedding songs that get every one up and moving.  I was sitting with a few of Todd, Brad, and Carley's friends, so it was nice to catch up with all of them!  After the Sparkler exit for the Newlyweds, Joyce, Mike, Brad and I went out in downtown Phoenix for a few drinks and I think we were all so exhausted it was nice to call it an early night before bar close.

Brad, me, Carley & Todd at their Wedding...Congratulations!!

On Sunday morning, we met up with some of the Wedding Party & Newlyweds as Brad's parent's took us out for our favorite breakfast at Waffle House!  Thanks to Harry & Nancy for letting me stay with them that weekend and taking such great care of me :)  I flew back to LA that afternoon and it was a really nice break from the hustle and bustle here at home.  Plus, the weather was so gorgeous and it was nice to see some friends and spend time with people who remind me of home in Wisconsin. 

Carley & Todd's Wedding brought a WSU Reunion for Ned and I!  Just a little bit of home makes me happy :)