Grandchildren Fix in Tucson

This Thanksgiving weekend was busy for us. We had a nice turkey dinner here at the campground at 2pm, six turkeys and 3 hams were cooked for the residents and we all brought a side dish to share. I wish I had many of the recipes of these side dishes - very yummy. Then we all came back together at 6pm for dessert and more friendship. Nice day. Jill and Erez and the 3 grandgirls had planned to a 3 day get-away in Tucson, traveling down from Phoenix, and we planned to drive up from Benson to Tucson to meet up with them. Wasn't planned - but almost exactly the same distance for each of us to travel to get together. They stayed at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Resort, lovely place which was nestled in the Santa Catalina Mountains. The parents did not tell the girls we were coming, so it was quite a surprise Friday night when we got to the Hilton and they came down to the lobby with the pretense to go out to dinner and we were sitting there. After many hugs and kisses we went to a really nice Italian restaurant and had a great time talking and getting re-acquainted. The original plan was that Zoe, the five year old granddaughter, would come back with us and spend the night, but we got 40 minutes into the ride south and Zoe wanted to go back to Mom and Dad. Turned around, got her back to the hotel and started the trip home again.
Saturday we drove back up to Tucson and had planned to go swimming with the girls in the outdoor heated pool. Between the heated pool and the jacuzzi, the girls had a great time and Dave and I got a great granddaughter fix! A very fun day. After getting back to the room and showering, we again went out to dinner and had more fun time with the girls. Today, Dave and I are recouping - resting and just catching up. It's really hard becoming a kid again! Here are pictures of the outdoor pool with the mountains in the background and another with Jill, Erez, Lia, Emi and Zoe on the bed. And one with me and the three girls at dinner last night. How I love interacting with them! And yes, my face is sunburned - I spent the entire time in the pool with all three girls while Dave, Jill and Erez hoovered on the sidelines. Cold out of the water where I think it was about 68 degrees and the wind off the mountains was fierce. And, if you got into the pool - you didn't get out! BRRR.

Tomorrow Dave and I have reservations to go to Kartchner Caverns State Park, a park we went to 5 years ago with the two older granddaughters (Lia and Emi) and their Brownie troupe. I was able to go on the tour but Dave was not - Emi got scared before they entered the cave and had to be escorted out. Tomorrow I hope Dave will be impressed with this as much as I was 5 years ago.