Shopping, Sushi and Pink Jeeps

A couple weeks ago my mother and cousin, Makalya, came to visit.  The trip was Makalya's graduation gift from her parents and my mother decided to join Makalya on her trip to visit Andy and I.  I was excited to show Makalya Arizona and life outside of SP.  I believe she enjoyed her stay, the heat and what Phoenix has to offer.  She will definitely have to come back in the winter to really see why we live here and the beauty of AZ.  While they were here they went to see the Phoenix zoo and did some crap shopping in downtown Scottsdale while I was at work.  I did take a couple days off to spend with them and we did some shopping as well as pool time.

My mom and Makalya in our pool!

I also re-introduced them to sushi.  My mother had sushi in the past, but was not a huge fan.  We took them to Stingray and didn't order anything crazy.  We kept it in the newbie category as to not scare them.  Makalya and my mother really enjoyed the experience.

Enjoying the sushi experience.

One very tourist thing we did was head to Sedona and do the Pink Jeep Tour.  Uhmmm...not so much a fan of this.  It is definitely a tourist thing to do and is definitely for people who do not live here.  Andy and I do not need a tour and information on the various cacti in the desert.  Also, the day after my back was all jacked up.  I definitely needed to see my chiropractor after the trip.  Not really my thing.  It was nice to show Makalya another side of Arizona.  She got to see the beauty of Sedona and the drive through the mountains to get there. 

Andy and I as we stopped for a photo opportunity!

Makalya, me and my mom.

All of us on the tour!  Andy is slightly taller than the ladies!

Us featured with the jeep that wrecked my back.

Cousins!

The scenery in Sedona.

Following the pink jeep tour we ate lunch at a cute place in Sedona before we headed back to Phoenix to prepare for dinner with guests.  We had the Seifert's and Mike and AJ (along with their new puppy) over for a Mexica Fiesta.  The Fiesta was supposed to be outside, but it ended up inside due to the haboob that swept through Phoenix that night.  My mom and Makalya were pretty excited to see a haboob and snap pictures of it.  From our back yard it's a pretty cool sight to see as the haboob roles into north Phoenix.  Other than that it is just a dust storm.

It was a fun visit and I am glad I got to show Makalya why Andy and I moved to Arizona.  Hopefully she can make it out again...preferably in the winter so we can do more outdoor activities.