To Phoenix For a Wedding

An interesting trip this time. This one was actually planned for awhile to attend Trina’s wedding (Jon’s cousin). Once again the kids were asked to be the Ring Bearer and Flower Girl, rolls which they are perfecting. We were all heading down with Grandma for a few days of visiting and festivities. But, as it often does, life got in the way. Katy’s Aunt Pat passed away after a long struggle. We knew that this moment would be coming. But who knew that the funeral and wedding would be on the same day. There will be another post about Katy’s trip, but for now, this one will focus on how Dad managed to take care of two kids on a trip where looking nice was important.

Trip started off like any other. Katy got us all backed and made sure we were prepared. The next morning we got up at O-dark-thirty and Katy took us to the airport (that was a little different, Katy go and Grandma stays). After the usual security and baggage hurdles we got on the plane and on our way. Got to Phoenix when the rest of the world was waking up and headed to Aunt Judy’s for lunch and hanging out with our Cousins. Also got to go swimming in a freezing pool which was fine cause the temps this week were mid to high 90’s!

Got to our awesome hotel and relaxed for a bit...actually, we did that a lot. Nice mix of doing some things and relaxing this trip (as much as we ever relax). Grandpa David arrived soon after (drove from CA) and we headed to dinner then to an awesome Chihuly display at the Phoenix Botanical Gardens. Here is a link, highly recommend checking this out if you get a chance: http://www.chihuly.com/current-and-upcoming.aspx

Oh yeah, did I mention that two days before this trip both kids were stricken with the stomach flu and almost had to call the whole thing off? Molly almost had to be admitted to the hospital. But go figure, day of travel they are both good to go, no issues. However, we were all under slept and needed to rest. I had to stay up long enough to collect Karen and Mark from the airport at midnight.

Thursday we were all good to go. Great breakfast at the hotel and lots of nothing planned until 3 for rehearsal and dinner. We had plans to go swimming...but the water in the pool turned green for some reason and was closed. Didn’t do much and that seemed fine with everyone. We stole Alissa at lunch for a date at In-n-Out (yum) and hurried for the first time today to get ready for the rehearsal. Pretty easy deal, stand here, walk that way line up with such and such. Caden had been nervous for several days before hand about being able to carry the rings for real. He wasn’t able to at Karen’s wedding because we were on the water and everyone was too afraid of losing them. Turned, out, he wasn’t going to carry them this time either. He said that’s okay, but I could tell he was disappointed. Few more hours on our own to swim in the hot tub and play before rehearsal dinner.

Wedding day was next. But nothing until 5:30. So we spent the day again lounging about. We found an AMAZING park full of rope courses and other toys to spend time at. Went there early before it got too hot. Then over to the Bass Pro store to play with fish and boats (Mark let Caden play too). Now with the parents visiting other family, us and Karen and Mark spent the rest of the morning at the hotel. We took a chance swimming in a green pool and splurged on McDonalds. It was pretty nice.

Mandatory nap time before a long night of partying. Hour before go time, Daddy had to step up and make the kids pretty in a tux and flower girl dress. This included the hair, yes I did her hair! We got a special delivery from the bride and groom for the kids. Super Hero capes for Caden and a Disney Princes Pearl bracelet for Molly. I put that on her and walked away...realizing shortly later that the pearls were real, I tracked her down and made her stop yanking on them and hiding them. Set to go and got a nice limo bus ride to the party. I dropped the kids off in Judy and Alissa’s capable hands and found my seat.

Precession started and shortly later my beautiful kids came walking around the corner to a bunch of ‘awwws’. There was a big smile on Caden’s face explained shortly later by the actual rings on his pillow. Big thanks to Trina and Alex for giving Caden that responsibility, it meant a lot to him.

A beautiful ceremony followed by a lovely reception. The food was great, and there was dancing enough to keep the kids happy. Caden and Molly danced with everyone. It was a great time. But the week was catching up with us and we all got tired quick and cut back to the hotel. Where, shortly after getting the kids to sleep, dad spent the rest of the night throwing-up stricken with the kids flu.

Saturday (day of departure) seemed pretty overwhelming after not sleeping and having ever ache and pain that a flu brings. But big thanks to Karen for coming in and taking the kids away for the morning. I was able to pack (between naps) and get ready to go by noon. Grandma and the kids were very all very helpful getting daddy through the airport, and even better, easy on the flight home.

3 hours after touchdown we were all asleep. Great trip, but no more back to back trips. Here are all the pictures (here). I apologize if there are any errors, Katy is still in California and I am posting this so she can see it.

The super excited kids at the Chihuly display at the Phoenix Botanical Gardens