The Murphys embarked on a grand adventure to start out 2010…we headed to Phoenix to cheer on our beloved Horned Frogs in the Fiesta Bowl. When you take two kids on a trip like this it definitely changes how you would travel as a couple, but it really does provide an unique opportunity to enjoy every part of the trip as an adventure.
Sean and Bauer headed out first for Phoenix (its a long story), but it worked out well that he was able to give all his attention to Bauer, while I gave all my attention to Bree on our separate flights. Sean had the camera so here are some shots of Bauer…
Checking out all the planes when they first arrived…
Doing some acrobatic warm-up…
Testing the buoyancy of the cushions on the plane…
For being their first flights, both kids did good. And being our first flights with kids, I think Sean and I did about average. Bree and I boarded the plane at about the same time she would normally be going to sleep. She had about four very loud meltdowns before she eventually passed out. It mirrored how I had imagined traveling with a toddler would make me feel…a bit claustrophobic and insanely apologetic to all passengers around us. But we survived. Sean said Bauer slept about half of the plane ride and explored for the other half. He also had every flight attendant and passenger wrapped around his finger…gosh that kid is cute!
Once the whole family was in Phoenix, we headed to see one of my best college friends, Stacey. She had graciously agreed to let the whole crazy lot of us stay with her and her husband, Larry. Boy were we in for a treat. We ate like royalty. Larry and Stacey are an amazing culinary team and we enjoyed many an hour drinking a beer or some wine watching them prepare our next meal…heaven. The kids were in love with their dogs…Roger and Toby. The dogs eventually fell in love with the kids.
Stacey and Larry had a family connection with a one ring European circus in town for Sunday afternoon and again, we were just so lucky to have such amazing friends to share these adventures with. We dressed in our purple and headed out to Chandler, AZ to see the show.
Preparing to be amazed…Larry, Stacey/Bauer, and me
Bree enjoying a little pre-show. She volunteered to dance (wonder who she gets that outgoing spirit from).
Bree attempting to shield her popcorn from Bauer (I’m pretty sure they collectively ate two bags of cotton candy and three tubs of popcorn, not to mention the King sized Snickers bar, Bauer shared with Sean)
Bauer hoping against hope that the popcorn is not really all gone!
These two dogs were dressed up and dancing…hilarious!
Bree was obsessed with trying to ride this little pony…she had to settle for a souvenir photo and coloring book!
After the circus, we headed to the TCU Pep Rally with hundreds of our fellow horned frogs. I saw some old friends from college and just had so much fun being surrounded by such love for my frogs.
What a good looking purple family!!!
Stacey was amazed at the TCU spirit welling up inside of her…while Bauer couldn’t stop staring at Paul!
Our Loop was very well represented in Phoenix. So PROUD!
This woman begged for us to take her balloons…made for a good picture at least!
On Monday the day had finally arrived. It was FIESTA time. We left the kids with Stacey (who agreed to babysit while we went to the game….SOOOO MANY THANKS TO HER AND LARRY)! And Sean and I were on our way to watch the frogs make history!!!
Our tickets…
Purple spirit was everywhere…
Our tailgate transplanted in Glendale!
It became clear early on that the Boise State fans might outnumber us and may not be very nice, okay they were outright obnoxious!
Sean attempted to kick his way to glory in a field goal kicking contest. He got a really cool keychain instead.
At this point, I was still a little amazed we had pulled the whole trip off and were actually about to walk into the Fiesta Bowl. So cool.
Beers in hand and headed to our seats!
We may not have won, but we cheered our hearts out. We were very disappointed with the outcome, but we had a great time and wouldn’t have traded the experience for anything! We definitely see more BCS bowl games in our future!
Luckily with kids, even after the game was over, we knew the adventures weren’t. We got to fly back home early Tuesday morning with the whole family. For the family’s second flight, I will say I think we did above average. I think part of it was our delirium from being so tired from the weekend, but having Sean as my sidekick was just nice. You knew you always had someone around who had your back! I wouldn’t have signed up to have these adventures with anyone else!
The happy foursome on the first leg…to Denver!
“Sharing” the window
Sleeping on the second leg…well at least the boys!
And Bree will be our last shot. She took this intense close-up sans shirt as we were about to land in Dallas. She spilled water all over herself about midway through the flight….AMAZING!!! Glad we had her jacket as it was about 30 degrees in Dallas when we landed!
Like I always say, the Murphys are not short on ADVENTURE!!! Hope 2010 is off to a great start for everyone! Here’s to another undefeated season (well regular season) for our Frogs this year!
