VAN VOORHIS FAMILY BLOG

Hey all, been a while since we’ve posted – but we’ve just returned from a full week in Arizona. About 2 weeks prior, we decided that since the kids had a full week off of school, we’d do a family vacation (albiet a bit shorter than the last one we took!).

We took off for Arizona after school the Friday before last and wound up in Phoenix late – the following a.m. we took off for the Grand Canyon (early) and arrived at our hotel in time to watch the Buckeyes put a beat down on Michigan. GO BUCKS!!!!! After the tail kicking – we loaded into the rented suv and headed out to the Grandest of Canyons. This was the first time for Anna & Ethan to see it – and only the second time for me – so it was great for all of us. We stayed there till the sun started to set and caught some beautiful light. Truly awesome. After our time at the canyon, we returned to the “Grand Hotel” of the Grand Canyon and settled for some decent steaks.

The next morning we took off before sunrise and headed to Sedona – en route, we passed a HUGE elk on the side of the road – very happy that it didn’t run across while we were driving, because I don’t think we would’ve fared as well as the elk – those things are mammoth! We arrived in Sedona in time to catch a fabulous breakfast at the Coffee Pot – a famous place that boasts “101 omlettes” Sam & I decided on our favs and enjoyed good food with the kids. After that we headed to Red Rocks State Park and took a hike that we’ve taken before – the Eagles Nest hike. Again, fabulous views and great hiking with the kids. After a nice drive back through Sedona, we made our way down to the Boulders resort in Scottsdale.

We were nicely suprised that our suite was actually the “Presidential Suite” – a great casita with a pretty good sized common space for dining and lounging. This served us well for our time at the Boulders. Sam took advantage of the golf package and I played a nice amount of tennis, as did the kids. We spent many hours at the pool as well and enjoyed 80 degree weather practically the whole time. Our final night Sam & I were able to sneak away for a really good dinner for 2 at the restaraunt across from our casita and enjoyed a 5 course meal with wine pairings – yum.

Since our “package” only could keep us there for 3 nights, we headed down to the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix for the final 2 days. Accomodations were so so, but the resort amenities were definitely enjoyed by all. A lush (although slightly shaggy), 18 hole putt putt course, where the boys took honors against the girls 2x due to the lack of decent putting on moms part. A pool with a 90 foot water slide, ping pong, pool and foozeball – everything a kid could want.

Our Thanksgiving dinner started out a little rusty – with us heading to the “ballroom” for the buffet. Even before entering it started to go downhill. An exorbitant price, them making us “pre pay” and sign for the bill before even sitting down (pretty lowbrow for a nice resort) and then entering to the sounds of a cheesy band and the four of us being seated at a table for 6. Before the water was finished being poured, we made our exit strategy – said farewell and made our way to the grill restaraunt where they were taking walk ins. A definite wise decision. Instead of eating with the masses and a bad Lawrence Welk band – we sat outside by a fountain and fireplace and enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixins for me and Sam and a burger and chicken fingers for A & E. Aside from the shirtless man playing lawn chess in the background, the ambience was 99.9% better.

In order to avoid the Thanksgiving travel rush, we were up early the next morning and boarded a 7:00 a.m. flight – getting us back to beautiful Ponte Vedra by the afternoon. Saturday we were back to golf and tennis and had mom, dad and Sarah over for a nice steak dinner to celebrate mom’s 64th birthday.

Always good to get back a few days before school starts – we went to church, then the Jaguar game on Sunday and were well rested to jump back into school, work and tennis today.

Sorry for not posting very often – getting busier with the holidays coming. We’ve posted a number of pics on or flickr site – so feel free to link to that to see more.

Take care. J

Cousins

Originally uploaded by SisterPV

Pak, Chien, Ethan, Anna & Xiu Dan.

Mc Collum kids (the big ones)

Originally uploaded by SisterPV

I was able to go up to Columbus this weekend with the kids and had a great time with friends and family. We packed in alot in the few days we were up and appreciate all our friends that were so willing to accomodate us. So great to hang with everyone – and especially to touch base with family again. We need to get up there more often and not wait another 15 months. Sam had a great time in New Mexico golfing – so a good weekend for all.

Yea! We get to head up to the chilly land of the Buckeyes this weekend. So looking forward to seeing family and friends. We haven’t been up there (at least me & the kids) since August of last year – way too long. Kids are hoping for snow flurries. I’m glad we get to come home to warmer weather here in Fla. I’m sure I’ll have some fun pics to post from the weekend. Thanks to mom & dad for watching the bionic dog. J

Blue Angels in formation

Originally uploaded by SisterPV

Enjoyed a beautiful Sunday afternoon watching the Jacksonville air show from our backyard with mom & dad. Watching them scream over our house in formation was a sight to see!

Anna & friends

Originally uploaded by SisterPV

Out to dinner with a few friends for Anna’s 12th birthday.

For the cost of Summer’s recent medical care, I could have an entire fleet of brand new shiny dogs…but nonetheless. I actually really like Summer, and we are all very happy that she survived and is now at home again.

Like all “professionals,” the vets tried to complicate things, seeking at considerable lengths (with my money) to identify the rare disease that Summer must have had…but about $4K later, they now acknowledge that she probably ate some rat poison or the like. No Nobel Prize there.

I am in the Portland airport, having spent the week traveling. The Pacific NW is fantastic and we had cool fall weather this week.

Ready to come home and watch some football with my nearly-perfect wife, my extraordinary kids — and the bionic dog.

Getting ready to Trick or Treat

Originally uploaded by SisterPV

After saying they just wanted to hand out candy this year, the kids changed their minds and wanted to go out Trick or Treating. This is what we came up with at the last minute. Anna was Maria Sharipova and Ethan was a condo salesman. The kids trick or treating didn’t quite get Ethan’s costume, but the adults seemed to think it was funny

Love these kids. And – Anna is looking a little too grown up for me! She’s a beautiful girl and Ethan’s a pretty cool 10 year old. Very blessed. J