Easter in Phoenix

We usually spend Thanksgiving or Christmas (alternating years) with Nick's family.  We all decided those are such hard times to fly and the kids miss out if Christmas is away from home.  So we planned to shift to summer travelling, but this year was an Easter party hosted by a family friend, so we decided to all meet up for that.  Based on ticket prices and length of trip, we ended up spending a week out there.  I do not know how anyone travels regularly with young kids.  There were so many issues and so much on the docket that poor Zoey was so off her schedule.  But there was a lot of fun and unfortunately not enough pictures.  So below is a brief outline of our trip.

We ended up flying out at 5:20 pm our time.  The girls were exhausted and of course there were issues with the hotel.  It took forever to get a pack and play sheet and then they brought up a flat sheet off a king bed.  So it was a super late night and of course they woke up at normal time, which was 4 am Phoenix time.  But I did (nicely) complain and we ended up with a pack and play sheet and $50 food credit.  

The girls did pretty well on the plane.  Zoey wore the headphones about long enough for this picture, maybe 15 minutes total.  But snacks and books kept her mostly placates on the trip out.  Of course, they messed up her tummy, but that is another story.

Thursday was a more relaxed day with an early nap at Grammy and Poppi's, lunch, a bit of shopping and early bed time.  Friday was family picture session at 6 pm, so that required a late nap  at the hotel, which was rough.  Zoey is usually such a good sleeper, but overtired and out of her element meant up to an hour of crying.

Saturday was the picnic/party at 2, so back to early nap at hotel, which was also short thanks to construction above us (it was awful).  But Zoey had a blast hunting eggs, she is a pro now. 

Sam enjoyed herself too.

Sam and her cousin Isabelle.

The grandkids of all the family friends.  Those related to us are Jessica (first on back row in purple shirt, white sweater, braided pigtails), Isabelle (pink and white stripped skirt), Luke (teal shirt, plaid shorts), Logan (stripped shirt and khaki shorts, next to last), Zach (salmon shirt, blue shorts, last one you can see) and Devin who is blocked by Nick's brother but I will show her later.  You can see in this picture Zoey is pushing her way out with her hand on Logan.  Subsequent pictures have her in motion and then out of frame.  Sam is clutching the bear she got as an egg hunt prize.

After the party was play time, some dinner and bed.  We got up the next morning at a more reasonable time (I think we made it all the way to 7).  The we (well Zoey and I stayed outside) had mass at 10 followed by brunch. The bigger kids then hit the hotel pool while Zoey had a nap.

Sam and Zoey on Easter.

 Sam and her cousin Devin had a great time playing Monday.

Zoey had fun too.  This was the empty pool but she also stepped into the full pool and soaked herself.

Zoey and Luke. Zoey was so confused about all the people.  She did learn Grammy and Isabelle, but I kept getting asked, "Mama, who dat?" and I think she just called Luke him/he mostly, but she did say Luke a few times.

Samantha loved spending time with Uncle Terence.  She talks about him a lot and prays for him every night.

The flight home was rough, but we made it and got the girls to bed at a reasonable time.  Sam popped up a lot and had a really hard time waking up for school, but should be back on schedule soon.  It was great to see everyone and the girls loved their cousin time, but I will be happy to sleep in my own bed for the foreseeable future.  Travelling is not for wimps.  

Happy Easter!