The Bobo's: August 2020

As part of AB's birthday present we surprised she and Parker for their birthday with a little trip. We had intentions of doing a much larger get away but given the circumstances settled on Dallas for a few days of girl time. We weren't able to do all the things we would have liked, but not knowing how long this would all go on we wanted to celebrate them. Adalie and Kim surprised the girls at the hotel, they thought she was at her grandparents and couldn't make it. So they were shocked to walk into a full party at the hotel room when we got there. Luckily, the moms had their own adjoining room so we all got to have a little time to ourselves. They did such a great job with all the decorations and making these girls feel extra special! We spent a few days at the Gaylord Texan resort so that we had plenty of space to roam and the girls got to do a little exploring on their own. We spent an afternoon doing some girl shopping and got to enjoy some good dinners. It went by way too fast, but we loved every second!

Just another day of quarantine life! We didn't let it stop us, we still managed to have a good time!

My teenager! She is growing up so fast!

A little after dinner photo shoot. The Gaylord Texan has lots of pretty cool spots. We enjoyed just walking around and exploring...(in masks, just took them off for this photo)

A little birthday lunch at rainforest cafe...followed by shopping and pool time!

Girls just wanna have fun!

We spent the afternoon at the hotel waterpark, the mom's enjoyed the sunshine and the girls got to be teens for just a bit!1

One of my favorite memories from trips to malls with friends at their age was win we would play a game and we had 2 minutes to pick out a dress..which was supposed to be ugly, so the girls obviously missed that memo, but then try it on. With Covid we needed something to make us feel normal, even if we only got to take the mask off for a photo. These three will make some really beautiful prom dates one day! They loved it!

What trip isn't complete without a stop at Buckee's! Parker was a first timer so we had to show her the ropes!

Happy Bday to these Quaran-teens!

Then it was on to New Mexico where we stopped for a night in Albuquerque

We had a great lunch in the Old Mexico thanks to a friend's recommendation!

Then we stopped by a local winery for a little relaxing walk around the beautiful grape vines. This was due in part to it being father's day and trying to provide dad with an activity he might enjoy more than the cable line that I had in mind, which was closed due to Covid anyways!

Then the next morning we were back on the road. We had to stop to get gas at an old station on Route 66..there was absolutely nothing in sight and if you haven't traveled these roads let me tell you there is nothing around for miles and miles. The girls and I had to go to the bathroom and boy did we get a surprise with that suggestion...let's just say this sign will be remembered for more than one reason...don't worry it was just a pee stop..hehehe! These are those memories I hope we won't forget because of all the laughs but just in case we do I have this blog to remind me!

The landscapes were gorgeous through NM, however none of my photos are going to do them justice!

Finally, we made it to Arizona!

Our first stop was the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park...once again photos don't do it justice you must see!

The girls next to several pieces of petrified wood

Social distancing at it's best...our only travel companion!

There were hieroglyphics on the rocks in the park that were so neat.

You have been warned...due to Covid-19 you will be seeing many attempts at selfies so please don't judge!

We ended the day in one of my new favorite towns..Flagstaff, AZ. It is gorgeous but also has such a cool vibe, a must see.

Mitch and I out for an early morning run. It was cool in the mountains and the trails around the city are just awesome.

A little dinner downtown....

And more selfie attempts..ha!

And then it was on to the Grand Canyon the next morning. I must warn you there are several pics to follow so just stay with me. I am sure there are probably duplicates as well but you know you probably only see the Grand Canyon once so we made sure it was well documented!

The pictures really don't do it justice...but I think Mitch and I both thought we would see it and be like check ok next thing. But we were both surprised at how long we stayed and how we couldn't stop just taking in this really remarkable created country and earth we live in....if you don't feel that way go to the Grand Canyon or really any national park in US...

From the Grand Canyon we headed south and back through Flagstaff down to Sedona. I have been to Hawaii, the road to Hana and many other beautiful places but the drive from Flagstaff to Sedona rivals any of them. The old highway down is really one of the coolest drives I have ever seen. I know my pictures aren't very telling but was so busy soaking it in myself that I forgot to take many and Mitch was so sick from driving those curves that he wasn't doing it again so this is all I got!

The coolest creek runs through Sedona and all the locals were out since it was like 115 outside, we joined in..but we weren't expecting the water to be soooo cold! I can see why all the locals flock there. It even ran behind our hotel so we got to hang out and social distance away from the pool area.

Great little dinner spot with the most amazing views!

Hotel Views!

The next day I talked the fam into a pink jeep tour of the red rocks. It wasn't the smoothest ride but it was pretty exciting! I think as we bounced over those rocks the girls and Mitch were wondering what I would make them do next!

The views from the top were were the trip though!

Our jeep tour guide turned out to be quite the photographer!

The camerman himself!

We explored some of the city afterwards!

And cooled off at a local watering hole that afternoon to watch a little nail biting cliff jumping that was taking place!

Dinner the last night at Hudson's...which might be my new favorite restaurant ever. Our food was crazy good, the views were insanely beautiful from every angle (I have video proof) and the company was pretty good too.

The girls ordered chicken pot pie and boy did they get one..it even had the restaurant in crusted bread letters on top!

The view of the sun setting on the red rocks is really remarkable...and breathtaking!

no filter needed..

What a way to end our last night..now for the trip home.

And we had to stop on the corner of Winslow, Arizona...I mean why not? The road trip home was a long one but so thankful for all the miles and memories between us. It really was the perfect trip for this crazy time we are living in now. Lots of beautiful sights and a reminder of the fact that God is still in control and if he can make this beautiful Earth then surely Gods got this!

Now where to next?

And we are off for road trip 2020! I must admit when we piled in the care right after camp we didn't even know which direction we were headed, but we decided to go west and I don't regret it! We did tones of driving but saw some unforgettable sights and my only regret was that we couldn't stay longer. We made it to the borer of OK and TX the first night. Saw a few tepees and that was about it that evening...