In the spirit of award season, here is a review of my year in 2011 - ranking its top 10 moments. Harry Potter related moments dominated the nominations but were not able to sweep into the top 10 and, despite the number of nominations, none were able to take home the top prize.
My Top 10 Moments
Number 10. Gray’s Birthday (Valentine’s Day)
What made it great: Dinner at Tiberon and a walk around Wildlife World Zoo, then back home for presents and cake in celebration of Gray’s first birthday.
Number 9. Park City
What made it great: The weather was the perfect escape from an August in Phoenix. The Zermatt had great food, swimming, animal spotting, and ice cream. The rides at Park City Mountain Resort were fun for everyone; the moose, deer, and raccoon spotting on the back roads between Park City and Midway was exciting, as was boating with the kids.
Number 8. New Years – Alaska
What made it great: sledding, snowman building, campfires, and our own spectacular fireworks show with supplies purchased from an Inuit town on a neighboring island.
Number 7. IMS Half Marathon
What made it great: The run itself was particularly enjoyable and I beat my time goals. The weather was cold and rainy, but the kids came out to watch and celebrate.
Number 6. Prescott Trip
What made it great: The fall leaves are things we don’t often see around Phoenix. This was a spontaneous trip, so there was no time to build up expectations. The drive through Jerome was beautiful and the Prescott Resort was decent. We played in Courthouse Square and ate nearby – and could already feel the beginnings of Christmas season in the city known for the holidays. We spent the next day at Out of Africa - where besides the usual giraffe and camel feeding, we got to feed the hyenas, feed the ground hogs, play with a rhino, pet a tiger and kiss a python.
Number 5. Taylor Swift
What made it great: Daddy Daughter Date Night is always a treat. This one was the most glamorous. A night on the town in a limo, dinner at Le Chalet, and Reese’s first real concert that happened to be her very favorite artist.
Number 4. Clear Creek Campout
What made it great: The first camping trip of the season is usually fun, but this one in particular brought back memories from my childhood. We had fun hiking, swimming, fishing, animal tracking, shooting, and watching movies. I also enjoy camp cooking as much as anything.
Number 3. Tucson Trip
What made it great: Any stay at the Star Pass resort is a good one, but this one was special because it coincided with a Harry Potter festival and concert (Harry and the Potters). Golfing, a day at the pool and water park, fancy food, Harry Potter stuff, and even fancier desserts. It was the perfect buildup to the midnight premier of Deathly Hallows Part 2 several weeks later.
Number 2. Wizarding World of Harry Potter
What made it great: the rides and seeing the interpretation of magic, imagination, and movies to a tangible experience - butterbeer, Hogwarts Castle, Olivander’s Wand Shop, The Three Broomsticks. But mostly the big smile across Reese’s face.
Number 1. Discovery Cove
What made it great: snorkeling, lazy river, bird feeding, dolphin interactions, swimming with the rays, and laying on the beach in better-than-expected privacy. A completely relaxing escape necessarily sandwiched between hectic days at the theme parks.
Honorable Mention (Received Nominations for Top 10 Consideration)
Fitness Run at Reese's school
Thanksgiving
Halloween (Harry Potter style)
Science Project (Solar Powered Robot)
Sea World
Busch Gardens, Tampa (Reese's first upside down coaster)
Lake Pleasant (particularly enjoyable day at the lake with wakeboarding, surfing, tubing, cliff jumping, justin bieber lip synching, and lots of kids)
Knoll Lake Camping Trip
Harry Potter Midnight Premier
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