Hi! Just recently, over spring break, we traveled to Arizona, as many of you know. We were there for five nights and had a ton of fun! The first day was partially lost because of traveling but we did manage to visit Grandma and eat at delicious restaurant called El Paso (very similar to Famous Daves). If you didn't know, Grandma recently turned nighty-nine and is great, except for a few small complaints. On Wednesday, our second day, we pretty much packed everything in. Eating, swimming, mini golfing, tennis, shopping, hiking and visiting Grandma. Also the Stolbergs arrived that evening but after a plane delay and much traveling they were tired and we didn't see them until Thursday. As for Thursday, the boys went to the Cubs game while Mom and I hung out around the hotel. In fact, we got a manicure too which was very relaxing. For the record, this was my first and Mom's third. For dinner we went to Rock Bottom, a chain, and it was like Champp's. Grandma and Grandma arrived today and later that night, the Washington D.C. Ettlesons. Friday was a lot of pool and sun with the family. Although in the morning we took a huge family hike for about two and half hours. It was a little much, but it was challenging so I liked it. After that, no one wanted to hike ever again. The hotel has a small waterpark including two main pools, waterfall, slide, and lazy river. Also there was a tad pool, where I spent a lot of time, unfortunatly, but it was fun. In the lazy river, we started a "train" by holding to each other's tube and apparently we started trend. After the pool and couple rounds of mini golf, we had our big birthday bash! It was held at the restraunt Hole-in-the-Wall conviently located on the hotel's property. We celebrated five birthdays: Grandma Dorothy, Grandpa, Joe, Uncle Dan, and Hale (amazing I remembered them all). The party was fun and the food, as usual, great. There were live singers who even sang happy birthday. Oh...My favorite part, besides dancing with Maya, were the MandM's. On them had the name of one of the five birthday boys or girl. Onto Saturday, again a lot of pool, tennis, and mini golf. For lunch we went to Dillon's Restraunt by Grandma, and we all were there. Tonight we celebrated Grandma and Grandpa's 50th anniversary. We had our own room and the food was awesome here too. At the party was the opportunity to make scrapbook page(s) for a scrapbook for either Grandma and Grandpa or Grandma Dorothy. Also, entertainment was provided. We learned how to square dance, played some games(limbo and musical chairs), and danced. My favorite part of the evening was the slide show. It was amazing or at least I thought so. I could tell a lot of time and effort was put into it. We have a copy so maybe you can see it sometime. Anyways, tonight there was not MandMs but fortune cookies. Instead of your average fortune, they had messages about our family. Finally, Sunday, our last day. We really only had time for brunch and goodbyes and we were off. I believe Aunt Julie and Unlce Shel were at the exact same airport but I think we just missed them. All in all, we arrived home about two hours later than expected, for various reasons but we made it. I had a fabulous, fun time and really hope we can go next year.
Love,
Lizzy
