Vacation Destination: Arizona

So I'm finally getting to our vacation update. On Friday the 13th we set off for Amarillo, Tx. It was an 18 hour trip to get there. Bella did wonderful in the car. We traveled overnight, so she slept a good chunk of the time. Throughout the ride on Saturday she played, napped, and watched a couple movies. It was nice to get to our hotel and stretch. We went to had an awesome dinner at Chilli's and then had to make a stop at WalMart. The next morning we set off for Flagstaff, AZ. We had some issues in New Mexico with the elevation change. It didn't really agree with Bella's ear infection. I had never been so excited to get out of the car before. It was around another 10 hours from Amarillo to Flagstaff!!

Monday morning we headed to the Grand Canyon. It is such an amazing site!! I think everyone needs to visit at least once in their lifetime. You cannot put into words how beautiful it is!! We spent 3 1/2 hours stopping at 4 different viewpoints. Our first stop was Desert View where the watchtower is. Jason and I started to treck to the top. I got about 2/3 of the way up and had to turn around, my knees were getting shakey!! While we were there, Isabella adopted a mountain lion. She got a stuffed one to keep, plus she'll receive a certificate for her contribution. After our day at the Canyon, we headed back to Flagstaff, passing the SanFransisco Peaks along the way. We walked around downtown Flagstaff for a bit before getting a bite to eat and hitting the sack.

Tuesday was time to head to Sedona to meet Aunt Donna and Uncle Jim. They took us up to airport road where you are able to view the entire city. AMAZING!! This is where Isabella got her picture taken by some little old Asian women who were on a tour. It was so adorable. She had on a cute white hat and sunglasses, looking like a movie star!! On our way to Phoenix, we went through Jerome. For those of you who don't know, Jerome is on the side of the mountain!! We drove on miles and miles of winding rodes up and down the side of the mountain! It was cool to see but a little scarey too! I thought mom was going to have a heart attack but she survived!

The rest of the week was spent in Phoenix. We went to see the Cardinals stadium, went to the zoo and aquarium, went to the swapmart, and spent time just hanging out at Uncle Jim and Aunt Donna's. Isabella was starting to love her nightly walks with Uncle Jim. It was so nice to have sunshine and blue skies all week. I definately wasn't ready to come home.

The trip back seemed like it took FOREVER! It's always exciting to go somewhere but coming home is tough! We are hoping to plan a return trip next year!

Below you will find a montage of pictures from our vacation...Hope you enjoy! Until next time...

Arizona or Bust

Just wanted to let everyone know that we made it to and from Arizona safely!! I took over 400 photos so I'm trying to narrow down which Iwould like to post for your enjoyment! Check back within the next couple days and I promise to have some updates! Until then...

Bella is 7 months old Today!!

Isabella is 7 months old today!! I can't believe it, time goes way too fast! She is weighing in at 21 lbs now. Unfortunately we found this out because I had to take her to the doctor yesterday. She has another ear infection!! That makes 3 so far! I'm definately looking forward to spring. Hopefully then, these ear infections will go away.

So, here's a quick update on the week we've had. Over the weekend, we headed down to Indy to see the family and stay at John and Rachel's. It was so much fun to watch the girls play together. Bella didn't know what to think at first because she's not use to being around other babies, she's just use to our dogs. So, Isabella starts petting Ann, thinking she's Maggie, starts pulling on her ear and her hair. Poor Ann!!

Aunt Rachel gave Bella her first bitter biscuit and a cup of juice. I think she had more fun playing with the cup than actually chewing on the biscuit!! She was a mess!! (See pictures below) So, needless to say, Bella got her 2nd bath of the day! Finally, Sunday was church and the benefit for Grandpa. Bella got to wear her pretty dress and look like a princess for the day!!

Tomorrow night, we leave for our trip to Arizona. Isabella's first vacation!! We are so excited! We are driving over night Friday into Saturday. By Saturday, we will be arriving in Amarillo, TX where we will stay for the night. Sunday morning we will be getting up and hitting the road again. Destination: Flagstaff, AZ. We will be staying in Flagstaff on Sunday and Monday night. Monday we will be heading to the Grand Canyon and Tuesday we will be meeting Aunt Donna and Uncle Jim in Sedona to do some sight seeing. Then we will be heading to Phoenix where we will be spending the rest of the week until it's time to head back to lovely Indiana!! I'll have lots to update when we return!!

Bella's Bag of Tricks!!

Bella has learned a new trick over the last week or so. She likes to scoot across the floor on her butt!! I didn't realize that she was doing this until one day we got home and I had sat her on the living room floor. I went out into our "office" area, which is in direct view of the living room, to check my email. When I got up to check on Isabella, she had scooted from the middle of the floor over to the edge of the rug. I have been on a mission since to catch her in the act of scooting, but everytime I watch her, she never does it!! She's such a stinker!

She is constantly waving now!! It's so cute! A couple nights ago, Bella and I were laying in bed with George (her stuffed animal she got from Uncle John and Aunt Rachel for Christmas), watching The Little Mermaid, when she started waving at George and trying to stick her pacifier in his mouth! I couldn't help but laugh! He has become her favorite toy and quite the companion! He will definately be making the trip to Arizona with us. Which, by the way, is in 1 week and 1 day. Definately can't wait!! Aunt Donna said on Sunday it was 90 degrees!! A far cry from the 30 degrees it was here!!

I'm posting some recent pictures we have taken of Isabella over the last week. Hope you enjoy!! Until next time!

Mommy feels the same way about being in the kitchen!

She loves her Maggie

Trying to see Daddy

Showing off for Mommy

Is this how I talk to Elmo??

Inspecting her hands

I think she gets this look from her Daddy!