And the trip begins!

We went to Phoenix, AZ for the Gideon Convention, which we help with each year. We had a great time at the convention and touring around. We got there early enough on Monday that we were able to enjoy sight seeing on Monday and Tuesday before things started Tuesday night. We had a great time catching up with friends and family and enjoying a new city!

We are off! This is the first time that Mary Ellen had her own seat and used her car seat on the plane. We had a direct flight, and she was great! She never asked to get out and was happy to be in her seat!


Checking out the clouds!


Mary Ellen had her first trip to a Hard Rock Cafe!


Monday night, we went to a restaurant called Rustler's Roost. You could choose to walk down the stairs or slide down to get to your seat. Mary Ellen and Daddy chose the slide!







Our first picture with a cactus!


On Tuesday, we went on a "train ride" with Scott, Nikki, and Tre. It is public transportation around Phoenix, but Mary Ellen and Tre thought that it was great. Mary Ellen and Tre became the best of buddies during the week. When you ask Mary Ellen what her favorite part of the trip was, she says, "Tre!"

Wednesday - Carousel

Mary Ellen has not been a fan of rides or even the carousel. But something changed in Phoenix! She loved the horses, and we rode it many times this day and on Friday. She was excited any time that she found a horse that she could ride!

Thursday - Water Park

Since we like water more and more these days, the water park was definitely a lot of fun. She was ready to go! She had a moment of hesitation after she ran threw some sprinklers that sprayed pretty hard, but after finding the slide, she was set. She even enjoyed a ride around on the lazy river with Mommy, and caught a short nap while she was at it!




I don't know how many times she went up the stairs to get the slide! I went down with her twice and then she was ready to do it by herself!






She wanted to try riding the "crocogator" as she called it!

Friday at the convention

This day, we went to an indoor play area that had everything you could imagine. There was tons and tons of video games, but also kiddie rides, bowling, and mini golf. Mary Ellen thought that it was great!


She found this truck, climbed up in it, and was ready to ride!


She is our little dancing queen! She was dancing with the music that was going along without paying for it. She was having so much fun!


Tre and her were trying to catch the alligators. You should have heard them laughing as they came out of the holes!


Mary Ellen takes after her mommy in her love of skee ball! This was a small version of the game that she got so excited about being able to put the ball in.


During this trip, Mary Ellen showed a love for driving cars. Of course, her daddy loved helping her out. As you can see, Tre and his daddy took part in the fun of driving too!


Mary Ellen also enjoyed mini golf. She was so proud of herself every time she hit the ball.



At night, bath time became a new routine being in a new place. Since the towels were a little different from home, I would wrap her up in it, and call it her dress. She would walk out in her dress, show it off, and then take it off. She was always so proud of herself!

Saturday of the Convention

Saturday was the last day of the convention. The outing this day was the Arizona Science Center. Mary Ellen did find some things that she enjoyed, but we didn't stay the whole time. Daddy and her spent some time building this house:



And then she got to make her own earthquake:

She is very excited about it!


We have known Ally since I think our first or second convention. She has been watching Mary Ellen grow, so we were excited to get such a good picture of them together!


This was our trip to the Grand Canyon for this trip. We saw this display while we were at the Science Center.


Mary Ellen telling Faith about everything on her "map!"


Mary Ellen really enjoyed walking back and forth over this "bridge." It was something that you were suppose to balance on, but she thought that it was really cool to walk on!

That night, we had dinner with a big group of the youth workers from the convention. Towards the end, Mary Ellen and Tre played "Ring Around the Rosie." When I took the pictures, I realized that it looked like they were dancing in the spotlight. I wish that I had gotten one when they fell down, because you could see how much fun they had with that part!

The final days - Sedona and other stops

After the convention ended, we spent a few extra days in Arizona and were able to do some sight seeing. On Sunday, we ventured for a day trip to Sedona,AZ. It was very pretty, and a great place to walk around and tour. It is about half way between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, and since we weren't going to the Grand Canyon, it gave us a taste of more of the landscape and area within Arizona.


Of course, we had to have at least one scenic picture with the rock formations!


Posing with Aunt Sarah


During this picture time, Mary Ellen would stand there, and tell us who was next to take a picture with her. As you can see, I got a turn with her.


She needed a picture by herself with this statue.


And of course, we have to have a picture with the Rocky Mountain Chocolate bear! Everyone loves chocolate!


And what Arkansas girl can't pass up a picture with a pink "Razorback!" I am sure they don't think of it this way in Sedona, but we do!


Posing with Nene


More of the rocks!


Daddy is holding on to me here!


Family photo - Would have been a great Christmas card picture, but I think that little sister would feel left out if we use this one!

On Monday, we traveled around Phoenix and did some shopping. That night, we went to a restaurant called Pinnacle Peak Point. It was a neat place that Mary Ellen was able to enjoy the food and music that she could dance along with. Outside they had set up various western items that we got some pictures with.

Smiling in front of the covered wagon.


Family photo!


And of course, another picture with a cactus!

Before we left on Tuesday, we went to Old Town Scottsdale. Mary Ellen loved this cowboy and asked to have her picture taken here!

Milk - It does a body good!

I turned around in the kitchen and this is what I found---

She was so excited that it was a small container of milk, just her size.

I am not sure where she has seen this, but she took it to her mouth like she knew exactly what to do!

Mommy's birthday

Mary Ellen did a fantastic job helping me celebrate my birthday! She kept telling me that we needed party hats and birthday cake. We didn't have party hats, but we had a lot of fun and a great birthday cake. I got to have a two day celebration.

This is on Wednesday celebrating with Mary Ellen and Paul. She wanted to get into the presents, so I am lucky to even have this picture.


On Friday, we celebrated with Caki, Bo, Uncle Tyler, and Aunt Rayni. We had a great dinner and fun together. Mary Ellen enjoyed bringing me the presents and helping me open them. I had to stop her from trying to give them to everyone else!




And of course, she had to help put the candles in the cake. The problem was that it was an ice cream cake and it was too hard to get very many in. But, she tried very hard!


And, then when we sang, she thought the song was for her. She waited to blow the candles out, and of course, I let her.


Daddy and Mary Ellen having a little fun at the end of the night!