First Family Vacation

We made it! Drove all the way to Sedona and back with L.L. in tow. Learning from our Thanksgiving road trip, we knew it would be most rewarding to leave by 4am – so that’s just what we did. Arriving in Sedona, Arizona about lunchtime and only having to stop 2 times for L.L. was the best we could do.

During our first day, we settled into our condo (because we now carry with us an entire house worth of goods that we need) and went out to find some food. After eating some yummy bbq we decided we were going to hit up Tlaquepaque, an arts and crafts shopping area that lights luminaries to kick off the holiday season.

Our Home Away From Home
Our Home Away From Home
We had to try the local beer - Grand Canyon Brewing Compan.
We had to try the local beer – Grand Canyon Brewing Company

We were so lucky to this event was on our first night in town, the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit. They light up the luminaries, give out hot cocoa and cider, keep the shops open late, offer wine tastings, have music and dancing…all the things you could want to start off the holiday season, properly.

L.L.'s first time out of Califonia.
L.L.’s first time out of Califonia.
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Entrance
Cute Tlaquepaque Streets
Cute Tlaquepaque Streets
Lots and lots of super cool sculptures by the local artists. They all move with the wind.
Lots and lots of super cool sculptures by the local artists. They all move with the wind.
All the fun wore her out!
All the fun wore her out!
Luminaries Everywhere!
Luminaries Everywhere!
loved these decorations
loved these decorations
Luminaries
Luminaries
We fit right in the blur
We fit right in the blur
More luminaries
More luminaries
Dancing  Merriment
Dancing Merriment
and again with the decorations, in the dark
Don’t you just love these?

THEN, as if we weren’t already having the most welcoming time in Sedona, we learned about the Red Rock Fantasy. Where the condos at Tlaquepaque have a Christmas Holiday Lighting Contest — YES!! Of course, we had to go (even though it ended up being FREEZING once you left the crowd). Here are some pictures of the best ones.

Entrance to the Village
Entrance to the Village
A fountain turned into a carousel of lights.
A fountain turned into a carousel of lights.
Here you can see the fountain.
Here you can see the fountain.
Panorama View
Panorama View
Cityscape of Lights
Cityscape of Lights
Santa by Andy Warhol
Santa by Andy Warhol
hello!
Hello!
This way...
This way…
...and around the corner is the North Pole
…and around the corner is the North Pole
Quite literally, lights everywhere!
Quite literally, lights everywhere!
Carolers
Carolers
Angry Birds
Angry Birds
More Angry Birds
More Angry Birds
Flat Stanley
Flat Stanley
The Pink Panther
The Pink Panther
Madagascar
Madagascar
More Madagascar
More Madagascar
Momma and L.L. in front of the Madagascar display.
Momma and L.L. in front of the Madagascar display.
Baby Jesus
Baby Jesus
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Penguins
Penguins
Gazebo
Gazebo
Ice Age
Ice Age

This was, by far, the most lights I have ever seen for Christmas. I loved it! There was even Santa at the end (but L.L. was still sleeping) and a horse drawn carriage roaming the streets. So Much Fun!