After months of planning by Grandma Griffin, the birthday party for Grandpa Griffin in Parker Arizona finally came. Here are a few highlights from the trip. My picture taking skills were less than stellar on this trip so I apologize if I missed you!
The boys were AMAZING in the car. There were hours upon hours of driving and for the most part they either slept or watched their movies. In total we spent almost 20 hours in the car over the course of 4 days. Since Randy still can't drive with his bad foot, I navigated our entire trip. We stopped in Vegas on Thursday and met up with Rusty, Collette, Landon and Erica and their twins, and the Royster Family. The California Pizza Kitchen will never be the same after we graced them with our presence!After a quick trip to Trader Joe's on Friday we drove to Arizona with Rusty, Collette, and the Royster's. Thankfully we did because....
Yep, that's my car and a trashed tire! No worries my expert driving skills helped me control the car after the tire blew.
Rusty, Lynn and Randy handled the situation like men and had the spare on in no time.
Colby, Dyson, and Hank kept themselves entertained by throwing rocks at glass bottles on the side of the road. Totally safe!
Love the Boot! We finally arrived at Emerald Cove to meet Grandma on a beach cruiser. Oh man I wish I would've captured that picture...priceless.
Griff and Karen, Randy and I, Lynn and Jenni, Colby, Dyson, Hank and Max all stayed in this beauty...
Colby taught Hank how to properly torch his marshmallow.
Max only needed a shovel and dirt to keep him occupied.
Don't mind the poor picture quality...I had to include a picture of the "outlaws". It's hard to tell from my pictures but there were over 90 family members camping and celebrating Grandpa's birthday. We stuck to our little family most of the time. The "outlaws" totally bonded!
Saturday morning, 12 of us headed out to play 9 holes of golf. Yes, Randy golfed with his boot! There was no way he was missing out on a round of golf. Look closely because you can see Grandma and Grandpa in the background waiting to tee off. It's the only picture I have of Jerry.
Randy and I always have a great time on the golf course. I shot a personal best 43 on 9 holes. I counted every shot too! It was so fun.
Rusty and Collette were excellent company. Collette came out of a 10 year retirement from the game. She did fantastic! I wish they lived closer so we could golf more.
We actually got in trouble for slowing down play to take this picture.
These two make quite the pair in their matching shirts!
Colby, Dyson, and Hank kept themselves entertained by throwing rocks at glass bottles on the side of the road. Totally safe!
Love the Boot! We finally arrived at Emerald Cove to meet Grandma on a beach cruiser. Oh man I wish I would've captured that picture...priceless.Griff and Karen, Randy and I, Lynn and Jenni, Colby, Dyson, Hank and Max all stayed in this beauty...
Talk about getting to know your family members!
Max fell out of bed a few times so I ended up sleeping in the bunk bed with the other boys. Sleep was hard to come by on this trip.
Hank had a BLAST with Dyson and Colby. He was so independent this weekend he hardly had time to hang out with me. Max made up for it!
Colby taught Hank how to properly torch his marshmallow.
Max only needed a shovel and dirt to keep him occupied.
Don't mind the poor picture quality...I had to include a picture of the "outlaws". It's hard to tell from my pictures but there were over 90 family members camping and celebrating Grandpa's birthday. We stuck to our little family most of the time. The "outlaws" totally bonded!
Saturday morning, 12 of us headed out to play 9 holes of golf. Yes, Randy golfed with his boot! There was no way he was missing out on a round of golf. Look closely because you can see Grandma and Grandpa in the background waiting to tee off. It's the only picture I have of Jerry.
Randy and I always have a great time on the golf course. I shot a personal best 43 on 9 holes. I counted every shot too! It was so fun.
Rusty and Collette were excellent company. Collette came out of a 10 year retirement from the game. She did fantastic! I wish they lived closer so we could golf more.
We actually got in trouble for slowing down play to take this picture.
The kids were ready for some miniature golf when we got home. Max mostly threw his ball.
Hank counted every stroke! He was very competitive with Dyson and Colby.
Max couldn't wake up for our family picture and Hank was too busy chilling in the hot tub.
Here is the man of the hour! It was so good to see him behind the wheel of a boat again. I have very fond memories of Lake Powell with the Griffin's.
I'm so glad the kids got to ride on a boat driven by their great-grandpa Griffin. Rusty taught Hank how to eat sunflower seeds. He held onto them for dear life on the boat. Before I knew it, Randy was going mock 90 on a wave runner, next to the boat. So much for taking it easy on his leg! I can't thank Stan and Jerry enough for providing us with so much food and fun last weekend. Jerry spent countless hours organizing and planning a fun trip for us and I'm really glad we were there.
We headed to Vegas on Sunday in search of new tires for my car. We found a Big O store that was open and ended up spending 3 HOURS waiting for our car. The kids were beyond tired and Max was losing his mind, throwing rocks at cars, laying in the road, spilling his drinks, etc. I told Randy we needed to stay in Vegas at the nicest hotel we could find. He told me I would get a massage and we promised Hank we would swim. Well, the hotel we picked had a closed pool and spa by the time we checked in. I may have had a minor melt down but after a hot shower and an all you can eat buffet we were all feeling much better. The kids had a blast at the arcade. We slept in the most comfortable beds ever! Monday morning we met Grandpa Griff and Karen for breakfast at our hotel. The kids insisted on an ice cream cone with each meal.
Hank made a make shift Shirley Temple with sprite and cherries.
Grandpa wasn't down for swimming!
This pool area was awesome! I would definitely stay here again...oh yeah, it's called the Green Valley Ranch. It's off the strip and there is everything you could ever want at your fingertips.
Hank counted every stroke! He was very competitive with Dyson and Colby.
Next stop was the pool. The weather was beautiful and hovered around 70 degrees.
Max pretty much crashed anywhere he could. Poor little kid didn't get a real nap for 5 days!
Max couldn't wake up for our family picture and Hank was too busy chilling in the hot tub.
Here is the man of the hour! It was so good to see him behind the wheel of a boat again. I have very fond memories of Lake Powell with the Griffin's.
I'm so glad the kids got to ride on a boat driven by their great-grandpa Griffin. Rusty taught Hank how to eat sunflower seeds. He held onto them for dear life on the boat. Before I knew it, Randy was going mock 90 on a wave runner, next to the boat. So much for taking it easy on his leg! I can't thank Stan and Jerry enough for providing us with so much food and fun last weekend. Jerry spent countless hours organizing and planning a fun trip for us and I'm really glad we were there.
We headed to Vegas on Sunday in search of new tires for my car. We found a Big O store that was open and ended up spending 3 HOURS waiting for our car. The kids were beyond tired and Max was losing his mind, throwing rocks at cars, laying in the road, spilling his drinks, etc. I told Randy we needed to stay in Vegas at the nicest hotel we could find. He told me I would get a massage and we promised Hank we would swim. Well, the hotel we picked had a closed pool and spa by the time we checked in. I may have had a minor melt down but after a hot shower and an all you can eat buffet we were all feeling much better. The kids had a blast at the arcade. We slept in the most comfortable beds ever! Monday morning we met Grandpa Griff and Karen for breakfast at our hotel. The kids insisted on an ice cream cone with each meal.
Hank made a make shift Shirley Temple with sprite and cherries.
Grandpa wasn't down for swimming!
This pool area was awesome! I would definitely stay here again...oh yeah, it's called the Green Valley Ranch. It's off the strip and there is everything you could ever want at your fingertips.
More sand makes Mino a happy boy, throw in a shovel and he's entertained for hours.
We went from the beach area to the pool then to the hot tub about 5 times.
We went from the beach area to the pool then to the hot tub about 5 times.
Max was in full vacation mode just in time for us to head back home.
Hank LOVES Vegas! He wants to move there because they let 5 year olds swim in the hot tub! I was in no hurry to head home and get the laundry started so we got a late check out time and didn't get home until around 9 last night. Today the kids are suffering from vacation withdrawl as am I. They have been fighting non stop all day!! Is it bad I'm ready for another trip already?
11 comments:
I'm awe struck. All this time I thought you were in California?!!?!? Good thing I didn't try to follow you there. Arizona??!?!? Really??
The pictures of the boys are darling. I think you're all really good sports...way to roll with the punches, sis. You win sport of the year in my book.
I think we ought to run away in that trailer. Now...that would make memories.
Soooooooooo glad you're home!
Not to fret sis...we were on the border of California and Arizona. Earp California and Parker Arizona are essentially one in the same. You would have found me oak
Oh and I call you oak now....what the? I swear I didn't type that! Time for bed apparently!
Excellent post...almost makes me want to do it all over, but probably once was enough for a bit. I was too tired. I am pretty sure I could relate to the meltdowns you and Max experienced on Sunday. So glad you were there for my coming-out-of-retirement golf game. Ha! We had a blast with you guys and wished we could have stayed for the Monday festivities. I say let's meet at the Green Valley Ranch again one day.
It's not bad that you are ready for another trip already... just as long as you post about it. That was fantastic. I always love when you go on trips, because I feel like I am right there! I would have probably died if I had been driving and had a blow-out! Good thing you are an amazing driver! I still recall going to the jazz game, just you me and Hank and it was like snowing or something and I had come in on the road going like -5mph and you cruised along like it was nothing.
You need a real vacation though... like one that involves just laying out and shopping and like going to Ellen or something... I'm just throwing that one out there... I might live like super close to all of those things... just sayin'...
yes I know I am TOTALLY bugged by not having a picture of gramps! I think I am going to steal yours of the boat driving! Awesome!
Wow, now that is some orange hair! (is it Randy's brother?) Love it!
It looks like you had a good mix of luxury hotels and RV's --- what a fun adventure!
Wow what a fun and tiring trip. You need a vacation from your vacation. Looks like fun memories. Love the manual the guys have out while changing the tire, funny. What great, well behaved kids you have!
Great post Annie!! It looks like everyone had a really good time. Sorry about the car troubles, that stinks. Your boys are so cute, I can tell that Hank LOVES to be with his cousins Dyson and Colby. Glad you made it back safe.
I love the boys headphones! And how did Randy play with the "boot"? Did you not hear the rule that if you have to drive 9 hours to get to your destination, there had better be a beach, margarita, or a mouse with really big ears. Remember that rule for next time! Glad you're home!
I like all of these pics better than the silly ones I was being texted ;) I heard about Hank's hot tub comments. Priceless! The pic of the guys changing the tire looked like Rusty was excited about it. HA! I bet he was - for the adventure of changing it! :) (Love you, Rusty!) I got an idea, come to Portland for Easter and we can all go golfing! And Jenni, did you go on this trip!? Where were you? LOVED this blog and seeing all the peeps! I also love Griff's face at the restaurant and the Outlaws pic! WOO!
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