Living It Up In Paradise

Well, it has been a few days now, and we are all having a really good time. Matt and I still have to pinch ourselves to remind us that we are truly not dreaming...the kids are really here with us!

Before we headed back to the airport on Saturday, we made a surprise visit to the island. The entire Whipple grandkid clan was there! Isn't everyone getting big?

We were able to spend a few hours there before getting back into the car for the drive over to Detroit Metro. We made sure that we left in enough time to eat lunch, get snacks, and get settled over to our gate. They had things flipped around this time and had the Phoenix gate over at A10; we are usually at 75...needless to say we did a little walking (and a ride on the tram) to go and get lunch; the kids wanted Taco Bell.

Our plane

We landed in Arizona around 4 o'clock on Saturday, and the sun was shining; there was not a cloud in the sky! The three of us were quite happy to land. Me especially since I had been on a plane since 10:00 pm the prior evening. Matt was waiting in the cell phone lot for us when we got there. He was a sight for sore eyes!

Tyler (and Melissa too) had asked for spaghetti for their first dinner, so that is what we had accompanied with Texas toast and homemade chocolate pie for dessert. We asked "Miss Amanda" if she would like to join us and be our dinner guest. Of which she happily accepted :-) I was really glad that she got to meet the kids so soon.

After dinner, we invited "Mr. Murph" to come over and we all went swimming. It was a really fun evening. We called it an evening around 10 so that we could all get a good night's sleep (plus, technically, that was 1 am for the kids still mentally on Michigan time and that is way past their bedtimes).

Sunday, we packed lunches, water bottles, and our Camelbacks and headed to Sedona for the kids first hike with us (Tyler has done a hike with Nana Kathleen). The kids did spectacular. We were really proud of them. I was really bummed because we had forgotten my camera on the desk in the apartment, but at least I was able to get a disposable one (and the kids said they would probably like to go back :-) ) We did the 1.8 round trip hike to Devil's Bridge and back. It was absolutely beautiful.

Matt and the kids on the bridge

I was very pleased with the fact that the kids were just as mesmerized by how amazing the view was as we were. We were glad that the trip was as excited for them as we had hoped.

Monday, the kids were off to LifeTime Fitness for their week-long day camp. The kids seem to be enjoying themselves. Melissa is able to do most activities and where she can't, they let her draw...and she LOVES that alternative of course! The week is centered around carnivals, and from what we can gather there will be a little carnival on Friday. That should be entertaining for them.

Monday was also special in the fact that we took the kids over to the house in the evening. They were very excited to see their new rooms and bathroom. They said it was much better seeing it in person, than pictures. I have started to take Melissa bedroom shopping to pick out her new stuff. I am not sure what colors she is going to choose, but I am positive it will involve painting walls...of which Amanda and I can do in an afternoon with some gourmet pizza and some good red wine! :-)

The week is not even half over yet, and I am slightly tired. I definitely didn't catch up on my sleep from all the plane rides and the heat at work really wears me out. If it wasn't for the kids, I would fall asleep at 7 on the couch! My LiveWell program is going great; I feel stronger and stronger as each day goes by - I walked 14,000 steps today!!!! One 4 mile walk in the evening (with my average heart hate at 147, so that was an awesome walk) and then all the walking I do at work...it was a really good day for exercise!

Make sure you check out all the updated pictures. I have posted all the new ones!

Love everyone!! Goodnight!!!