Day 1: Travel Day We left for Arizona from Chicago in the late morning and arrived in Phoenix in the late afternoon. Makai was so easy to travel with now that he’s older. He can listen to instruction, pull his own suitcase, and use a booster, instead of a full car seat. We just buckled the booster into an Uber car on the way to the airport. By the time we rented our car and drove to Goodyear we were pretty hungry, so we met everyone at a restaurant called Oregano’s. There was a wait, so we caught up while sitting outside. Makai and Grace fell back into their shenanigans immediately, as though no time had passed.
Day 2: Relaxing at HomeOn our first full day of vacation, we mostly hung around the house and relaxed. Makai swam in the pool and played with Gracie all day. He thought her playground and huge back yard were actually a park! And that her cool tent was a castle.
Day 3: Blackhawks vs. Coyotes In the morning Dallas somehow noticed that the Blackhawks were playing the local Arizona Coyotes, so we got seats. Really good seats for not nearly how much they would have cost at the United Center. We got four tickets and took Dallas’s dad and Makai. This was Makai’s first hockey game. The funny thing was that the entire stadium was filled with Blackhawks fans!
Day 4: Dinner with Amber and GuyWe hung out all day at the house. Makai swam every day of vacation except for one or two. He and Gracie were getting along so well. And he was so happy to spend time with Grandpa and Grandma C. Amber and Guy relocated their family outside Phoenix to Chandler recently. We met up with them at Cibo in Phoenix for dinner. Lots of fun catching up. The food was fantastic. Makai discovered a love for Nutella!
Day 5: Trampolining and Relaxing at the WigwamMakai and Gracie playing at home.
In the morning we Caroline and I took Makai and Gracie to a trampoline park. Gracie had been there a bunch of times, but Makai had never been to a trampoline park before. He loved it.
In the afternoon, Dallas and I headed over to the Wigwam Spa and Resort. It was not far away at all, but we just wanted some time to relax. We got a really good $100 rate, drank some drinks by the pool and layed in bed for 12 hours straight without a little kid waking us up! Totally worth it.
Day 6: Relaxing with the Family On the way back from the Wigwam, Dallas and I went and got breakfast at Black Bear Diner. We thought we’d finally found a local place that wasn’t a chain but then we read on the placemat that they have like 100 locations. It was really good, though. So good that Dallas, Jordan, George and Kathy went after golf a few days later.
It was hot in Arizona. Not so much in Chicago!
The best part of the trip wasn’t really doing anything. It was just Makai and his cousins hanging out and having fun. They had SO much fun!
After Makai went to bed we decorated for his birthday the next day. He was so surprised when he went into the kitchen the next day!
Day 7: Makai’s 4th Birthday Jordan, Liz, and Mahea flew in from Seattle on Makai’s birthday. FINALLY we got to meet Mahea and all the cousins were united. We spent the day swimming. And swimming. And visiting the neighbor horse. And swimming.
The highlights of dinner were kalbi ribs, fried rice, and wontons.
We got Makai an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins. They didn’t have Transformers, but this monster was so cool. We put Transformers candles on it. Everyone sang Happy Birthday and Makai blew out the candles. Then Makai opened his gifts. He got a couple legos sets, some Avengers toys, and a nerf gun. Perfect ending to a perfect birthday for Makai.
Day 8: Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, CarnivalLiz, Caroline and I took Mahea, Grace and Makai to Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium in the morning while Jordan, Dallas, George and Kathy went golfing. We went to this zoo the last time we visited and it was fun to bring the kids back. They especially liked the petting zoo area, although when we got home, Makai told everyone his favorite animal was the “common mouse.”
The zoo knocked all the kids out and they were fast asleep on the ride home!
We spent the afternoon napping and hanging out. At night Jose and Caroline took Makai and Grace to a carnival. This is the first time Makai went on carnival rides. They said Makai was really reserved and a bit scared and Grace wall all for it! Makai was white knuckled on the ferris wheel and Grace wanted to go faster!