team thompson: arizona with my mama

*WARNING*

*THIS POST CONTAINS LOTS OF PICTURES*

so, as i mentioned in the previous post, i met mom in scottsdale, az for the weekend. it was so nice and WARM. i never wanted to leave (sorry hubs). it was just so sunny and beautiful the whole time we were there. plus, it was so great to just hang out one on one with mom.

i miss her :(

we actually did a lot. the hotel was right in the middle of downtown scottsdale so we walked to all the shops and restaurants and got to eat outside for every meal. it was FANTASTIC! we found this awesome little olive oil and balsamic vinegar shop called Outrageous Olive Oils and Vinegars which had TONS of different flavors of each and you could taste them all. we both bought the balsamic vinegar flavored with cinnamon and pear. it is delish! i have been putting it on everything! and mom also bought a lemon infused olive oil which was so good that you could use it for anything.

we also went to the local outdoor market which was really cool. there were local growers selling produce, jellies, pastries and sweets, and lots of handmade items. it was really cute! we then took a day trip to sedona to see all of the red rock formations and a chapel in the mountain. and of course, a wine tasting at the cutest little place!

~and now for the pictures~

(if you click on them, they will enlarge)

these were from our first day in downtown scottsdale:

this was our view on the drive out to sedona:

getting closer to the mountains:

this is what all of the houses look like out there, all adobe- like:

their ace hardware. i thought it was funny how it blends in:

a closer look:

taken by ourselves:

then with a little help. doesn't mom looks so cute?

here is the view driving up to the chapel that is built into the mountain:

and this is the house directly accross from the chapel:

some rock formations:

and one huge rock that had fallen about 20 years ago:

these were cool. they almost look like heads:

great view!

that is one crazy looking cactus:

the view of that house from the chapel. notice the waterfall and massive pool on the left:

mom on the bench outside of the chapel:

"hey, are you guys sisters?"- we got that alot. mom would always say, "no, we are mother and daughter. she's the mother." it was funny because they weren't sure if she was joking or not.

view of the chapel from below:

and another:

we also went to a bunch of outdoor shops and markets, and we just loved this rooster:

and this bull. not exactly sure why he's on his head, but it's cute:

heading back:

these are the 5 wines we tasted:

and check out this cactus (you have to click on this for a better view). it looks like it's walking! mom saw it while we were driving and she immediately turned around so we could get a picture. it was too funny to pass up: