We returned from our 2nd annual winter trip to Flagstaff Arizona. We have spent a lot of time in Flag over the last 18 years but it has always been in the spring and summer months. We Tucsonans are starved for crisp, cold weather you know. The below freezing temps are a refreshing blast that we have yet to tire of.

Did I mention we lived in Flag for about 6 months? We lived next to The Country Club. The Country Club is beautiful, the houses are stunning. Our teeny, tiny run down little apartment was nothing more than 800 square feet and a bathroom! We loved to drive through The Country Club and dream of space in which to live and our own yard!

Whenever we are in Flag, we drive by our old apartments. This time as we did, we noticed an odd spectacle across the street on the golf course at The Country Club. An elk! Another Elk! Many more elk! Why, an entire herd of elk! We pulled over and snapped pictures along with a handful of other passer-byers. I quickly counted then counted again. There were no less than 103 elk standing together on the golf course, looking alert and slightly perturbed that they were drawing attention to themselves. It was a magnificent sight!

“Elk at The Country Club in Flagstaff Arizona.”“Here’s another one.”

The kids went sledding with their dad 3 of the four days were there. The first time, I set up my camping chair, bundled up in coats, boots and mittens, wrapped myself in a heavy blanket and purposed to enjoy their laughter and fun while reading a book and snapping pictures. (I did not participate because I was sick).

“Here I am all bundled up.”“Here are Chad and Ceej. Notice the giant snowball in Ceej’s hands.”“Hubs laughing at daughter’s fall off her sled thingy.”“Hubs filling sled stingy with snow to dump on unsuspecting child.”“Unsuspecting child receiving blast of snow from the hubs.”

The other times they went sledding, they went to a popular sledding area and used giant black inner tubes. It looked like so much fun!

I snapped some great pics of my sweet son salivating at the snow through the window in our hotel.

“My sweet boy.”

I always bring crayons and markers and something to color on any trip we take. This time I printed about 50 Christmas coloring pages that I found online. We took them to every restaurant we went to and colored in the hotel room.

“I love that Beebs is wearing her ear muffs while she colors!”

Last year, I brought coffee filters and scissors so we could iron them flat, then cut them into snowflakes. I remembered to do the same this year. Here are some of Ceej’s creations.

“Coffee filter snowflakes.”

We visited Starbucks a few times while there. Ceej loves their breakfast sandwiches.

“Chad and Ceej in Starbucks eating breakfast.”“Beebs’ water and my Salted Caramel Mocha.”“Beebs in Starbucks.”

We suprised the kids and took them to see The Muppets before we left town.

As we left Flag, we encountered fog like we desert dwellers have never experienced before. It was slow going because we could not see very far in front of us. This went on for miles and miles. It was enchanting!

“Dense fog.”“We lost sight of the trees.”“Hubs bravely navigating our way through the fog/clouds.”

We had a lovely, leisurely get away in Flag. I read through almost three books and was able to do some praying and soul searching. I was so grateful for the beauty all around us! I thanked God over and over for the magnificence of the mountains and pines and snow that He created. What a gift!

“Lord, there is no God like you and no works like yours.” Psalm 86:8