spring break day trip

During spring break last month Andrew took three days off.  Thursday we wend on a day trip up north.  We probably should have checked the forecast before because we had no idea it was meant to snow in Flagstaff!  We were not dressed and prepared for snow but it was a pleasant surprise.  These first few photos are all taken on our drive in the car.  So much beautiful scenery.

The lady on the left was so nice to lend some snow sleds and we all took a turn, except Elliot.  He really doesn't like being cold.  Probably just not enough meat on his bones. ;)  We park in NAU north campus and went down the little hill across from Barns and Noble.  It's a place we're played in the snow before once or twice.

After a little while our hands were freezing so Andrew took everyone but me, Zara and Bea to look for gloves and other snow gear at Target near by.  There was none to be found, but the girls and I had fun playing a little longer in the snow.

 

^ ^ not dressed for snow ^ ^  Avery said this was here first time seeing snow fall.  She was in heaven!

While waiting for Andrew to return we found icicles on cars that were funny.

NAU north campus holds special memories for me and Andrew.  This building is where I had my recitals as a violist, my students through Suzuki had recitals here too, and my chamber orchestra rehearsals were there as well. 

Also the building just past the hall was Andrew's dorm and mine was just north of it.  NAU has changed so much since our time there but we still love to visit.

We planned on making Flagstaff just a lunch break but it worked out spending extra time playing in the snow and looking around. :)

Flagstaff snow: part 2

We started off our second day in Flagstaff looking at a loooong train passing right in front of our hotel window.  We were toasty inside but outside was snowy cold; coziness in perfection.

After breakfast the only logical thing to do was go sledding and the snow was perfect!

We picked the sled up at Target last minute and it was perfect for one or two people.

Even Zara got a turn, although she was indifferent to the experience.

The snow suit didn't help.  All the restraint!  Josie wore it to England last year and she wasn't keen either.

This was the first time sledding as a family and we all had a blast!!!!

While playing in the snow Elliot kept telling us he wanted to live there so he could play in the snow and then he'd change his mind when he got cold and tell us he wanted to go back home in Mesa.  Andrew and I have the same mixed feelings.  Although we have good memories in Flagstaff from our dating years, neither of us really want to live there.  It was great to spend a day-a night-and a day in Flagstaff but next year we'll do the whole trip in one day instead.  None of us slept much that night!

Flagstaff day one here.

Flagstaff snow: part 1

Two winters ago we took the Elliot and Avery up to Flagstaff to play in the snow and they still talk about it!  They remember the snowball fight, the giant snowman, and snow chair - everything!  We were hoping for a white Christmas in England last year but it never happened so our Flagstaff snow trip was long overdue!

We had so much fun that we're already making plans for another trip next year.  

Every time we go to Flagstaff there are certain things we are certain to do.  One of them is to visit north campus at NAU where Andrew and I lived when we were dating.  Oh, the memories we made!

Andrew in front of his old dorm.

Why didn't I bring good snow shoes?!  That hurt!

I had recitals in that building.  Doesn't NAU have a beautiful campus?

Elliot named the snowman Kooky, as in nutty, singular, uncommon.

Sometimes I wonder where he comes up with these things.

My dorm on the left, Sir Kooky on the right.

We tried to make our trip full of things we can't or don't do at home.  Even though we visit Barns and Noble frequently in Mesa, we couldn't resist the cozy appeal of hot chocolate, books, a fireplace, and Christmas books after the bleak, snowy afternoon.

I know . . I forgot a "p" in peppermint!

Have you tried Starbucks' Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate yet?  Well, it's divine!

Don't ask Andrew though, because he didn't think much of it.

Barns and Noble was a success so it is officially added to our must-do Flagstaff list.

This is Zara begging for hot chocolate.