Weekend in Phoenix (yes, we're crazy)

So Phoenix is probably not everyone's first choice for a summer weekend getaway, considering their temperatures are routinely over 110. Although we have warm summers in Sierra Vista as well, with the mountains and higher overall elevation, it's rare for us to top 100 and there's usually a nice breeze. We just don't have the same oppressive heat that's featured in Tucson and Phoenix. So, you might think we were crazy to head to Phoenix for the weekend in the middle of July, but it was Elizabeth's last weekend with us and we wanted to do something special for her. So, we booked a suite at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort that features a huge River Ranch outdoor water complex (http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/PHXSPPR-Pointe-Hilton-Squaw-Peak-Resort-Arizona/index.do).

We arrived Friday late afternoon, slathered on the sunscreen, and hit the pools right away. I didn't get too many pictures of us in the water since 1) it's way too hot to be outside taking pictures and NOT be in the water, 2) our camera isn't waterproof, and 3) I didn't want to miss out on all the fun.

Here's a few I did manage from Saturday morning before I jumped in line for the slide too. Drew was just tall enough to be able to ride the water slide by himself. They didn't allow tandem sliders so we worked out a system where one adult would go down before him to be the catcher and the other adult or Liz would stay with Drew at the top to get him on. We probably went down the slide at least 20 times during the weekend.

Here's Bill, Liz, and Drew headed up the steps for the first slide Saturday morning


Bill getting ready to splash


Here comes Drew!

Lizzie's turn

Here's Drew turning the corner

Lizzie laying down to work up speed. We tried to convince Drew to lay back but he opted to sit for all of his slides.

Here's the 3 of them on the lazy river

Daddy twirling Drew in the tube

Semi-aerial shot of the view

View of the 3 of them in the lazy river from one of the bridges

A pic of Mommy & Drew...so we have some evidence I was on this trip too!

Drew sporting his brand new life jacket

Drew catching a ride on Dad's back

Drew practicing his backfloat

Swimming on his own with the life jacket

And although we didn't get video of it, we can say that we were witness to Drew swimming on his own (sans life jacket) for a few seconds at a time. He was jumping in from the side of the pool and, after a half dozen jumps or so, Bill started waiting just a few seconds to grab him and Drew started using his arms and legs to keep his head above water. It wasn't swimming per se, more like treading water, but it was Drew all by himself in the water! Very exciting. He's in another round of swim lessons right now and seems to be getting better and better by the day.

Saturday night we went to Scottsdale to have dinner at P.F. Chang's--yum yum. Here's a couple pics outside the restaurant.

Elizabeth, Drew, & Bill

Family shot


We were all sad to see Elizabeth go back home a couple of days later, though Drew is for sure missing his train and board game playmate the most. We did get a bonus visitor out of it though. Bill's Uncle Mark, a retired United employee, flew standby out to pick her up and was able to spend one night at the house with us. Then the two of them took off the next day and were able to get on each of the flights they wanted (standby and first class no less!) to arrive back in Wilkes-Barre late Tuesday night.

Here's one last shot of Drew & Lizzy the morning she left.

Hope you had fun Lizzy--we miss you!