Minnesota Trip 2010

This is the third year we've gone to Minnesota to visit our friends and see a Vikings game however, mother nature had some other plans causing this...

It was crazy, the worst storm they've had since like 1984 and we happened to pick that week. I have to admit though, I was way excited to see all the snow considering we live in Arizona. Don't mind Kimball in this ladies coat...desperate times call for desperate measures.

After having been snowed in the first few days and temps dropping to 40 below at night, this sunshine was a welcomed site! We eventually made our way out of the house for dinner and a movie and we went to the girls piano recital.

As always we had a fabulous time and are thankful to Tammy and Darrell for having us. Sophia loved all the hand-me-downs she got...it's been a dialy fashion show ever since.

Back at home, my parents were busy shuffeling the boys back and forth to their performances and enjoying Arizona's 80 degree weather! Is it just me or are the leaves unusually colorful this year? I've been here for ten years and I've never seen so many beautiful fall leaves, I feel like I'm back in Utah...love it!

Any Given Sunday

Have I mentioned how much I love going to NFL games? The Vikings came to Arizona this weekend to play the Cardinals. Kimball and I got to stay with our friends at the teams hotel. It was a lot of fun. Really fun actually, it reminded me that we need to get away more with our friends...without all the kids. We started the weekend with a girls night out to the Elephant Bar for dinner, then Dolce Spa for an amazing facial. Oh, that also reminded me I need to pamper myself more...and take better care of my skin, even in the midst of a recession. :)

Unfortunately the Vikings were defeated and I had to wonder if it was because I was getting to cocky? The lady who sat behind us blamed it on the jersey she was wearing so during half time she spent $44 on a Cardinals tee shirt...go figure? She travels all over to see the Vikings play, yet she left wearing a Cardinals shirt, so crazy.

After the game we went down to the family area and took a few pictures with some of the players. Leber, Tahi and Allen (all great players). We got home super late and had a rough time waking up to reality Monday morning. Thanks Adam and Andrea for letting us crash your hotel room...great memories, lol. Go Vikings!!

Go Vikings Go!!

What a great weekend. The Bevell's were in town for the Vikings/Cardinals game so we started out Friday with a girls only shopping trip followed by dinner and a movie. This is when I got my highly anticipated signed, Adrian Peterson jersey, thanks Tammy and Darrell...you're the bomb!
Kimball and Adam took the oldest boys to the Suns game Friday night, thanks to "Mayor Saleem" for giving them the tickets. Jaxon and Colby had a blast and Kade and Sophia had a great time with their friends at home. Jaxon didn't understand why they couldn't just watch it at home but once he got there, he was SO glad he went. We had never taken them to an NBA game before...shame on us!

Saturday morning I took the kids to the church for donuts with Santa which they loved. I don't have the pics from that yet. I had a nice snugly day with the boys, watching movies and eating popcorn and brownies. Is it sad that just because I had a little 'me time' on Friday, by Saturday I was missing my kids...kinda like I had neglected them or something? I guess this whole homeschooling thing is growing on me.

Saturday night we went shopping again and to dinner at the Brio Tuscan Grill which is a fabulous new restaurant close by. We ran into our old friends the Fuller's which was a nice surprise. Now for the really good part...game day. We showed up in our purple everything, thinking we'd be shunned, but that was not the case at all. There were tons of Viking's fans, I was shocked. Maybe it's all the Minnesota snowbirds, but I didn't notice an influx of elderly people? Now I love me some Kurt Warner...but when it comes down to the Cardinals vs. Vikings of course we're going to root for the Vikes. It was such a great game, the Vikings did awesome and got way ahead right at the get go so we were able to enjoy the game without stressing. Darrell called some great plays and did Arizona proud (since he's from AZ). I'm hooked, I think we need season tickets; either that or Kimball needs to find NFL employment because it's quite THE LIFE.

You can read my first Vikings post by clicking here.

BTW - This morning we woke to overcast and cold weather. Kade thought with the light sprinkle of rain his enrichment program would be cancelled. I guess in his eyes that's equivelant to a major snow storm!

Vikings Game

OK so if the concert wasn't enough, Adam and Andrea also invited us to Minnesota to stay with Adams brother and sister in law. With only a few hours between the concert and our flight, we were all a little tired. Adam and Kimball are like giggly school girls when they get together.

Here we are trying to catch a little sleep on the plane.
Roller coasters and crazy rides at the Mall of America. It was fabulous!


The first night we were there, we went to Ruth Chris Steakhouse with Tammy and Darrell. It was our first time there, Kimball thought his stake was incredible and I thought my salad, potato and broccoli were to die for...seriously! After dinner we dropped Darrell off at the teams hotel so they could get a good night sleep before the game. Tammy took us on a tour of the Vikings offices and practice facility.


Adams brother Darrell is the Offensive Coordinator for the Vikings. His wife Tammy took us to the Sunday game and gave us great seats and the V.I.P. treatment, it was SO fun. Thanks Tammy, you are a fabulous host and way to go Darrell on a great win!
Before the game we hung out down in the tunnel where the families eat and wait for it to start. We were able to get lots of great pics of the players passing by to do their warm up and then their big entrance to the game.

Victor the Viking

Views from in the tunnel.
The Big Man Darrell slapping his woman high five.




The Big Game

CRAZY FANS


As my Mom would say the "totally immodest" cheerleaders! I don't see a need for them, the guys like looking but really all they care about are the players. Do they do anything to rile up the crowds?...NO!

The Win!
I was a little late with this shot of the fireworks but you get the gist of it.
Thank goodness they won because I don't think the mood at the house would have been so great if they hadn't. After the game we joined the staff and their families for a tail gate party. I would have taken pics but at that point all I could think about were my sore feet. Note to self: When going to an NFL game, wear comfortable shoes...not heels!

Our Last Day




The leaves and lakes in Minnesota are so pretty, a far cry from Arizona. We were there at the perfect time because it wasn't too cold. On this particular morning it rained which was a nice change for us. After taking pictures of fall colors, we took Tammy's girls to the orthodontist for braces (I took before and after pics but it's probably not a good idea to post them). We went shopping and stocked up on Vikings gear then went to a fabulous restaurant for lunch. We were sad to leave but we had a fantastic weekend and a much needed break from life.A big thanks to Tammy, Darrell, Adam and Andrea.