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We got back Tuesday afternoon from Arizona.  The weather was nice - on the cool side - got to turn the ac on in the car one day - was mostly in the mid 50s.  We left Tuesday, November 23 after work at 2:00 pm.  We made one stop for gas in Page AZ and we arrived 9 hours later we left Utah.  We made wonderful time!  We drive Highway 89 all the way and pick up I17 in Flagstaff.  I drove most of the way - Gary took a turn out of Page but turned the driving back over to me about 40 minutes later.  He was really tired and slept on and off during the trip.  Getting to Tim and Katrina's apartment was easy - just off I 17 and Bell Road.  All 3 of them were waiting for us.  Wednesday we all went over to the Alldredge's in Mesa for Thanksgiving dinner.  Doug, Mich, Kendall, Jason, Kristi, Dani, Carson, Matt & Jo with Liam, Mikel & Chris.  The food was great and just having time to visit together.  Tim, Katrina, Zane and I left to go back to their apartment, Gary stayed at the Alldredge's - Doug and Gary were going elk hunting in the morning for a few days.  Thursday, we went to McDonald's for lunch so Zane could play on the playground, then we went to Walmart.  They were getting ready for "Black Friday" sales.

Then we went back to the apartment, got the Christmas decorations out, set up the tree and then played some games and made doughnuts.

Gary called and asked if I would go to Sportsman Warehouse on Friday and get some fishing poles and socks that they had on sale between 6:00 and 9:00 AM.  I haven't gone shopping on Black Friday but Katrina and I located the nearest store which was only a few blocks away, set the alarm at 5:30 to be there at 6:00 AM.  The store wasn't busy at all - most of the men were at the gun counter - we found what we needed and few other items I got for Gary for his birthday and was back at the apartment by 6:45 and back in bed by 7:00.  Later in the afternoon, I decided to go to the Arrowhead Mall (which is about 5 miles away) and go to the Hallmark store and get our annual tree ornament.  That experience really made me decide to stay away from shopping on Black Friday!!  We were able to get a parking place close to an entrance - which we went through JC Penney and found the Hallmark store next to JC Penney's!!  (On Monday, Gary noticed a Hallmark store a block from the apartment!!!)  Gary called in the morning and said that they got the elk and they would be spending the rest of the day - packing out the elk.  Doug's daughter Mikel, also had a tag to fill and should be arriving in the evening to spend Saturday hunting.  Friday evening, the 5 of us went to Glendale Glitters for lighting ceremony.  It was very nice - Tim, Katrina and Zane walked around and I stayed and watched the different performances.  The city of Glendale decorates the historical downtown Glendale with lights and during the month different activities happen, ending with Glendale Glows - which is a hot air balloon festival around the first of January.

Saturday morning, Katrina and Tim contacted Sun Devil Auto to see how much it would cost to have their car towed and then get repaired.  They were out within 2 hours to pick it up and then called us later to tell us the damages!!  They have been without a car for over 2 months - they have been using the cab when needed that Tim was driving for work - but Tim quit driving the week before we got there.  It was fixed that afternoon and we went by and picked it up.  (They got an early Christmas present from us to get it repaired).

Doug and Gary got back from hunting and I drove over to Mesa to pick him up.  Mikel didn't get anything but going back out on Monday.

Sunday, Tim fixed a nice breakfast, we then went to Church and spent the afternoon playing games and doing things together.  That evening, Barb, Karyn, Cody, Carly and Lincoln came for dinner and we visited a little bit before Carly had to go to work and then Karyn had to go visiting teaching.

Monday - Katrina had a job interview in Tempe and we watched Zane while they were gone.  (She didn't get the job we found out Thursday evening)  Packed up our things so they were ready for us to leave Tuesday morning - which we pulled out about 7:00 am and again made great time - we stopped in Flagstaff for gas and then a potty break in Richfield.  Then we stopped in Gunnison for a job interview for Gary - who is hoping to work at the Scout Camp this summer on the maintenance crew.  After stopping and getting the mail and the truck (which was being repaired while we were gone), we were home by 4:00.

All in all - we had great weather for traveling and it was really great to family and friends while in Arizona.