04.17.2016: Drake's Baptism

This morning we went to Northridge to celebrate and watch Drake being baptized.  It was a special moment for him and you could tell he was taking in the moment.  Mom & Dad were here for it...as well as Glen, Eric, Karissa, kiddos...and of course Thelma, Drakes mom, Vince, and I.  Such a great ceremony and the teen minister had great things to say about Drake!!

 

Here is the video link & some pics from the morning:

https://youtu.be/qGI3843sFpE

 

 

 

04.16.2016: Dinner with the Family

Tonight we had a little BBQ at our house and celebrated Drake's baptism tomorrow.  Brent, Alisa, Olivia and the kids came over for dinner and to just hang out for a bit.  The kids played tennis, catch with the football, Vince made ribs, and we got to just enjoy being together.  Mom & Dad were here for the night so they could go to the church service tomorrow as well!

04.15.2016: Drake's First Wrestling Match

Tonight was Drake's first wrestling match - ever.  It was just an exhibition match with his team to get them used to the real match format, as well as to decide who is on varsity & junior varsity.  Drake had 2 matches tonight.  The first one, he pinned the guy in seconds.  Literally.  It was awesome!  Pics from this match below.

 

The second match I video taped (Link here: https://youtu.be/JzAH9Bx6Hl8 ).  This match, he went up against a kid who actually wrestles in club, and is an 8th grader. Drake is a 7th grader and never done this before.  He lost the match, but did amazing!  Needless to say, I think he is a natural and will be great at this sport!  He also really enjoys it! 

 

04.15.2016: Hiking at Little Horse Trail

This morning we went to breakfast over at the Coffee Pot, which was just a block from our hotel, so we walked over there.  They have 101 different types of omelletes there....but niether of us got one! Haha!  It was amazing though...a perfect pre-hike breakast!

 

We checked out & headed over to the Oak Village area of Sedona to go on a little 3 mile hike on the Little Horse Trail.  It was an easy hike and would have been much more gorgeous when the water is running in all the little creeks and washes.  It was still an amazing hike through some of the greenest parts of AZ I have ever seen!

 

After our hike we headed back down the hill to the valley and home.

 

Wildflowers everywhere

04.14.2016: The Hideaway House

Tonight we weren't sure where to go for dinner so I Yelped it.  First thing that caught my eye was a hole in the wall looking place but great food - great italian "comfort food". Just what we needed.  So we headed to the Hideaway House.  Little did we know that this place was on the edge of the cliff overlooking the creek and the gorgeous red rocks in the background.

 

They started us off with mason jars sealed with cucumber water.  YUM! We ordered a bottle of wine, and our dinner.  Cannot say how much we loved the service, the views, the food, and the atmosphere of this place.  The PERFECT spot for tonight!!!

 

After dinner we headed back to the hotel, drank another bottle of wine up on the rooftop patio watching the last of the sunset and the moon, stars, and amazing views!!

 

 

 

Cucumber water...our favorite

04.14.2016: Hiking at Red Rock State Park

After wine tasting and snacks for lunch we went for our hike.  It was part of the "deal" of going to Sedona for the night....we had to hike today and tomorrow.  We could eat & drink all we want...but we have to go hike and enjoy the outdoors a little!  So, whhooohooo!!  We did...twisted a few arms, but we did!

 

We have hiked around the Red Rock State Park before, and knew it was an easy hike and easy in & out so Vince agreed to go.  Didn't raelly have our hiking gear on so wanted something easy, but with pretty views.  We hiked up to the old house at the top of the hill.  The CEO of the old TWA had bought the land forever ago and built the house for him & his wife...but got divorced so never moved there.  The wife lived there for a bit but built a house nearby and its been abandoned ever since.  Kinda sad because it is a gorgeous home & property.  The state took it over at some point after she died like 30 years ago and now its just all blocked off.

 

Anyways, we found a tree for Vince to climb that was huge but awesome for pics.  Found a couple cool little trails by the creek too.  Fun day and checked the box for getting our hike in!