Party!

Wow, what a day and what a party!

We started the day with breakfast with the guys at 8 am. From there, it was straight to the church to get dressed and ready for the ceremony. We started almost on time, at about 11:05am. 

After the ceremony, we went out to Katie's parents ranch for pictures and lunch. Here are a few pictures from the ranch:

Gwen with her new pal Catherine and Katie

One cute cowboy

After photos, the bridal party took a limo to the reception:

AA, Taylor and Jon

(L to R) Katie, Crystal, Kiersten, Anne (not visible) Jason and Daniel

We made a pit stop at Taylor's brew pub called "Sentinel Peak":

The reception was at a country club up on the Catalina Foothills. The view was breathtaking, especially as the sun was setting. 

The party was good and so were the friends. Lola, as always, was the life of the party dancing up a storm. Arizona Adam, not so much but was dancing up a small breeze (not quite the same as a storm). 

A good time was had by all and made many new friends. The next time we want to come down to Tucson, it sounds like we will have many options.  Plus a few others in Kentucky, Vancouver, Shang Hai, Denver and Wichita.  It's always fun meeting new people and getting to know them as well as feeling just like one of the family. 

Thanks Katie and Jason!

Rehearsal (part 2)

Arizona Adam here. Lola told me I had to blog today, I'm not sure why, she had things under control.

Just kidding.

Picking up where L left off, we ended up waiting at the house for Katie and Catherine to arrive and then made our way to the church for rehearsal, all in the SUV. 

Once at the church, we waited for someone to open the doors and then waited for two of the bridesmaids to show up. Unfortunately, we waited longer than we needed to as they were waiting outside the door that was locked for about 10 mins...

As always, Gwen was on baby duty. Here is another baby selfie with Austin:

After the rehearsal it was time to go to El Charro for dinner. It was delicious!  AA had the Chili Beef burrito and L had a grilled chicken breast with rice and refried beans.  Here is the remnants from AA's meal:

Gwen and Catherine also were entertaining the ring bearer, Rowan, at the dinner table. Many games and interesting conversations were had. As is the case with any child over the age of 3, smart phones were eventually used used as part of the entertainment. Here's Rowan playing hill climb racing on Catherine's phone:

Tomorrow will be a busy day for both Arizona Adam and Lola. 

Arizona Adam will make his way to pick up Daniel, the best man, from the hotel at 7:45 to go for breakfast at 8. Then, it will be time to get dressed and be at the church by 10 am for the wedding at 11. 

Lola will start the day at 8:30 where she and Catherine will go to pick up the flowers and drop them off at the church and reception hall.

After the wedding, photos will be taken at Katie's parents ranch and then the reception in the evening at a nearby country club. It should be a good time but most likely a long day which is why AA and L are in bed at 10pm, going to get a good nights sleep before the big day tomorrow.

Goodnight moon!

Recovery and Rehearsal

Well today was definitely off to a slow start.  AA got in just after midnight from the bachelor party. They had a good time, from what I can get out of him.

He fell asleep instantly.  This morning I got around 7, which I then played on my phone for a while as that is too early to get up on a vacation, but that seems to be the norm around here.  Everyone is an early riser, but I guess that is because that is when you can actually do things outside.  Today it is about 89 degrees and very sunny.

After Adam finally woke up, he showered, put clothes on and then.... Fell asleep again.

I sat outside on the deck for a while playing with Jason and Katie's dog, Riley.

Then came in and decided enough is enough and woke up sleeping beauty.

Enjoying the sun!

Riley waiting for me to throw the toy.

The view from the deck.

Off to get some breakfast and to do a little shopping.  I also got my nails done in the mall!  I found some good deals in my all famous gap athletic wear, to add to my growing collection as well as my first banana republic blazer which I got for only 59$ :):)

We got a Jamba Juice to tide us over until rehearsal supper and headed back to Jason and Katie's where Adam had another nap...

My mall predicure which I have never done before.

I got ready for rehearsal and now am blogging. We were going to head to the ranch but Katie is on her way here so that is why we stayed.  

Waiting for Katie to come back to their place.

Rehearsal is at 4:30 and then dinner to follow at a Mexican place.  Hopefully the groom went to go try on his suit again.  They ordered a jacket that was 3 sizes too big for some reason. The best man also had a problem with his pants not being the right size at all, and the brother is just arriving today, so hopefully it will fit him.  Adam seems to have had the best fitting suit so far, and luckily they could lengthen the pants as no flood is expected here in Tucson for a while.

Maybe it is AA's turn to blog next time....

Lola

The Tucson Experience

Today was a day about experiencing Tucson, or the greater Tucson area.  We got up at about 8:30, had a little to eat then headed in Jason's ford Shelby to Sabino Canyon.  Adam was a little nervous to drive this high powered vehicle that is pretty low to the ground compared to the cars he is used to driving.  He got his confidence up shortly after the first couple stop lights we arrived at.  Jason was at the canyon too with his parents, he was driving their rental dodge caravan.... A little different from the Shelby.  

The Shelby

Katie and Jason's place

Adam driving the Shelby!

We went up the canyon on the shuttle with Jason and his parents, Dondra and Gary to the top.  Then Adam and I hiked down.  Well we actually hiked up about 0.5 miles before we got to make our 5 mile venture down the mountain.  I didn't know if I was going to make it but we did. Luckily I had a nut bar to tide me over, eaten at about the half way point.  The scenery was unbelievable, and we saw a lot of geckos and birds, bugs, and dessert plants including all types of cacti.  It was a amazing you could tell when you got to a different elevation as there were sections of vegetation, ranging from trees to bare rocks to thousands of cacti.  The hike was from about 10:30-12:30.

Sabino Canyon

Adam and I relatively early in the hike.

The gecko

Some of the trail looked like this.

The great views

Getting tired...

After the great hike we headed for some food and then to Katie's parents to see the ranch.  We met their horses and some more family that arrived in Tucson today.

View out the window at Katie's parents ranch.

Then Jason and Adam took the Shelby to fit Jason's tux and Katie and I headed back to their place to chill and me to freshen up before the party we attended.

Adam dressed in his cowboy attire to go to the bachelor party, to experience Tucson and Katie and I went to a party hosted by family friends for the out of town guests.

AA taking it all in!

It was a pretty good day, and now time for bed.  Rehearsal day is on the agenda for tomorrow.

AA is to late to blog tonight, so Lola had to do another night in a row.

On did I mention it was hot today... I don't know the exact temperature but it only got down to about 72 this evening.

Lola 

Castles, coasters, n Tucson.

Well today was a pretty relaxing day (compared to yesterday). We got up at 8:30, headed for breakfast at the hotel then out to the pool. Hot tub first then I got the courage to jump in the pool but didn't last that long actually in the pool. It was pretty warm outside though like 25 at least.  The water was probably like 19-20.

Off to castles n coasters which was across the interstate from our hotel for some mini golf.  Although we ahead a bit of a drive because Adam missed the entrance, because I figured we could manage to drive there without using the gps, I guess I was wrong  (and too busy taking photos instead of telling Adam where to turn).

Castles n coasters was a very neat mini golf course.  We paid, got our balls and clubs and then asked the lady where to go.  "Down the stairs and then choose which course you want"... Adam and  I look at each other.... Choose a course.... Yes this place had 4 different courses all intertwined together.  It was so cool, but the temperature was so warm.  Adam and I were both sweating after the 18 holes (which Lola beat AA by 9 strokes).

We choose course #4.

Not his best golf game....

After mini golf we went to Denny's for lunch.  Big spenders... A whole $13 dollars for lunch.  I had a burger (with now bun) and AA had a turkey sandwich and chicken noodle soup!

Then headed to Tucson.  The drive was pretty uneventful, but as we were leaving Pheniox, it was pretty neat that the interstate is right by the airport and as we drove by a plane flew right over top of us.

That isn't zoomed in.

Also on the way we passed the turn off to Coolidge AZ. We have already been there so just kept driving.

We arrived in Tucson to go directly to Jos A Banks to fit AA for his tuxedo.  Good thing the guy was quick there. The pants were about 2" too short, but he rehemmed them before we left.

Arrived at the bride and grooms house (where we are staying), to begin the wedding festivities.  Just a casual supper with friends and family of Katie and Jason's.  The fellow Canadians were happy to visit with us.  I met Katie's parents(both Canandian, but have lived in Tucson for a long time) Dave and Sandra, for the first time (but seemed to know all about me as they have had many visits and casual conversations with Arizona Adam in the past.) Sandra's sister and husband, Mike and Barb (from Toronto) and their daughter who just moved to Denver 4 months ago.  They all had a lot to talk about with us.

Also we met some of the wedding party and their children (people from Tucson) as well as Jason's parents (who live in Michigan).

It was a good get together and AA even did the dishes.  Night ended with some movie watching with Jason and Katie after everyone left and now time for bed.

We don't have real definite plans for tomorrow so we will see what it brings.

Night, Lola

Puttin' on the miles

Today was a long, busy day. Arizona Adam and Lola started the day off at 7:30 by going for breakfast at the hotel, making use of the continental breakfast. Then, a trip to the grocery store to get some water and snacks and then off on the adventure for the day - Sedona to see the red rocks and then to the Grand Canyon. 

Sedona was about an hour and a half north of Phoenix. As you approach the town, you can see many rock formations with a deep red tint to them. We stopped at the ranger station and got some maps. After talking to one of the rangers, we were set with our plan to see as much of Sedona in as little time as possible.  Our first sight was Bell Rock which looks like a large bell. It only took us 5 mins to find a parking spot...  Today was free parks day in the Sedona area so everyone was out and about enjoying the mid 70 degree weather. 

Then, we made a quick scoot to the Court House Rock which, as the name suggests, looks like a large rectangular building resembling a courthouse.

Then, we went to see a chapel that was build on the side of one of the rock escarpments overlooking Sedona. After a quick visit to the chapel, it was time for lunch. Lola found a great brew pub in Sedona where AA got a sampler of the craft beers that they made on site. 

After lunch, one more rock was saught out. Can anyone guess what this one was called?

After looking at a bunch of rocks, it was time to make the journey to Flagstaff along Hwy 89a which is one of the top 10 most scenic drives in America. The drive was pretty spectacular, starting with the red Sedona Rock formations, though pine forests and up the escarpment near Flagstaff to be at 7,000 ft. 

After a short jaunt on Route 66 to get to Hwy 180, we were on our way to the Grand Canyon which is about 1.5 hr north of Flagstaff.  The view of the Canyon was as spectacular as you have seen on TV and in the movies. 1 mile down and 13 miles across, it is a vast space with awesome shapes carved into the many layers of rock.  

We were fortunate enough to catch the sunset at the canyon, here is just one of the many photos we snapped:

After the Grand Canyon, it was time to make our way back for supper and then on to phoenix, where we arrived at 11pm, about 14.5 hrs after the journey had started. 

AA

Lola & Arizona Adam

Well Lola and AA are finally travelling together again. We went to Arbakka this morning/afternoon for thanksgiving with Lola's family. Had great food and nice visit.

We are now on our way to grandforks to catch our flight!

Phoenix bound we are, so Arizona Adam can be back in his home ground, but for once he isn't working! 

This is the first time we are going to fly from grand forks. So we are heading there, finding some supper then heading to the airport! (Which we also only have a rough idea of location...) but I am sure we will find it with one of our gps's.

View from the car! 

I can't wait to get some heat, and be able to take these shoes and socks off!!! Sandals and shorts, and t shirts here we come!

We are pretty excited! 

Till later, Lola!