Happy New Year!

So I figured I'd better get my "Happy New Year" post in before the end of January!

Most of you know Doug and I both graduated from Baylor University.  And most of you know that we love sports.  Those two typically don't go well together but this year the Baylor football team was on fire.  We had a blast at the Oklahoma game a few months ago so when Doug realized Baylor was going to the Fiesta Bowl he didn't hesitate to get tickets! 

Frugal me, I figured if we're going to fly to the game we're going to make a little vacation out of it.  Phoenix in the winter is perfect and our good friend Andy and his family live there too! 

Things started off great.  We arrived right around lunch time and decided to see what the guy from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives recommended.  We ended up at a little diner called Perk Eatery where we had the BEST pancakes ever.  They were plain pancakes with maple syrup but so darn good!  So good that I literally ate them until I felt like my stomach was going to explode. 

Before the kids were around I surprised Doug with a birthday trip to Phoenix.  We stayed at the Biltmore and he played golf, we had massages and we hiked Squaw Peak.  So we were excited to try it again with the kids. 

I had absolutely NO idea how much they would love this.  They were like little mountain goats that trekked right on, not tired, not cranky.  It helped that the trail was full of Baylor fans and they got to say "Sic'em Bears" about 100 times. About half way up I was struggling so I faked the need to take pictures so I could rest a bit!

Finally I had to let them race to the top.  I managed to not fall too far behind but I could not keep up with my mountain goats and I think Doug struggled too (although he wouldn't admit it).  But we ALL made it to the top!  The weather was perfect, the hike was so invigorating, the view was amazing and the icing on the cake was that the kids LOVED it! They can't wait to go hiking again!

That night we met the Scott's at the pep rally.  Andy and Lynna went to high school with Doug and I and Andy went to Baylor with us.  We hadn't seen him in forever so it was really nice to meet their kids. 

We rang in the new year with our pjs on, laying in bed with the kids in our hotel room.  I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.  It was a great New Year's Eve!

We spent the next day at the Fiesta Bowl.  We went to a huge tailgate before the game with the Scott's.  And we had to get to the game early so Matt could watch the team warm up.  Andy was a pilot in the Air Force and now works for Southwest Airlines.  But he is still in the reserves and continues to do pilot training.  He was one of four servicemen honored at the game so we were glad we could be there for that moment!

What a fun week!  Thanks Dad for planning the trip for us! Happy New Year!