When I was little (well, up until the end of high school), we took a family vacation every year. In the early days, it was just up north to a cabin in Wisconsin. A few times it was to Florida. Eventually we started visiting a new state every year… Colorado, Wyoming, Tennessee, California… and then we added in some other countries… Canada, Bahamas, Aruba, and Norway.
No matter where your destination, I think family vacations are really important. They offer quality time together, without stresses of work and home. They also expose you to other ways of life, new people and different cultures. As a kid, family vacations were SO exciting and fun – even if it was just up north to Wisconsin. It was “our” time. And I can’t wait to take Ryan places.
How long did you guys wait for a family vacation? I mean, I want Ryan to remember them so taking him to Disney World when he’s two might be a bit too early, yea? But I can hardly wait! 
I already have a list of places I want to go in my head… definitely “up north,” Disney, Colorado to visit his uncle, and someday to Norway because that’s where he’s from and my grandpa, before he passed away, told me I had to take Ryan there.
2 South Side hot dog eateries extend flavorful treats up north
AZ Daily Star February 22, 2007 | CATHALENA E. BURCH, ARIZONA DAILY STAR UNDER $30 Two of our favorite Sonoran hot dog eateries — El Gero Canelo and BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs — opened North Side locations recently, and we were among the first sprinting through the doors.
We could afford to go to both: Even pigging out, we didn’t break our budget. Yummo.
First stop: El Gero Canelo, which opened a spacious restaurant on North Oracle Road, a block north of West Grant Road. It looks like the original South Side stand, except that the new location is fully enclosed in glass, affording a spectacular view of the Catalina Mountains.
Walk through the doors and you feel like you’re at the old location: metal tables and benches, a big counter with complimentary peppers, sliced radishes and cucumbers, shredded cheese and canned mushrooms. Digital displays announce orders, and flat-screen TVs show rock in espaol videos. website carne asada marinade
The food translates well up north. Those amazing hot dogs, wrapped in crispy bacon, flecked with diced onion and mayo, are the big draw, even if on a recent visit the dog was a tad burned.
The caramelos seemed a little blah; the grilled chicken was tender, but it lacked any character; however, that was soon forgotten one bite into the “very mucho” carne asada burrito — a mammoth creation that had to weigh more than a pound. The chewy, grilled tortilla was stuffed thick with chunks of grilled steak that was tender and nicely seasoned. We kicked it up with some of those grilled chiles and a splash of smoky salsa. carneasadamarinadenow.com carne asada marinade
BK’s new digs on North First Avenue, just up Grant Road from El Gero Canelo, are significantly more upscale from its South 12th Avenue roots. The new building boasts wooden walls and tables, and tableside service.
The dogs are almost identical to El Gero Canelo’s — same pinto beans, onions and bacon. But BK added a bit too much mustard, which overshadowed all else.
BK’s caramelos, though, were divine. We added chorizo to the grilled chicken and discovered a savory treat that is worthy of the upscale setting.
We also ordered a fish taco, a deep-fried fish stick in a soft corn tortilla with shredded cabbage. It would’ve been better if the fish weren’t breaded.
With its new digs, BK has expanded its menu from the burritos and hot dogs to include salads, ribs, hamburgers and steaks: T-bones, rib-eyes and filets.
Now that’s movin’ on up.
BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs * Where: 2680 N. First Ave., off Grant Road.
* Hours: 9 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.
* What: Sonoran hot dogs, tacos, tortas and caramelos.
* Parking: Can be tricky.
* Phone: 207‑2245.
THE BILL Fish taco: $1.50.
Large caramelo with chicken and chorizo: $3.50.
Sonoran hot dog and fries combo: $4.50.
Total, before tax and tip: — $9.50.
/ El Gero Canelo * Where: 2480 N. Oracle Road.
* Hours: 6:30 a.m.-midnight weekdays, 7:30 a.m.-midnight Saturdays and Sundays.
* What: Sonoran hot dogs, tacos, tortas and caramelos.
* Parking: Spacious lot with easy access off Oracle Road.
* Phone: 882‑8977.
THE BILL Sonoran hot dog: $2.25.
Sammy dog: $2.75.
Large carne asada burro: $6.25.
Chicken caramelo: $2.95.
Three soft drinks: $4.50.
Total, before tax and tip: $18.70.
Grand total: $28.20.
CATHALENA E. BURCH, ARIZONA DAILY STAR
we took our girls to disneyland for the 1st time back in feb 2007 when they were almost 3 and 1 1/2. they really enjoyed it so much! watching the shows, seeing the characters, exploring, lots of laughs and smiles. we had the best time! they really cant remember much but we have lots of pics to look at together and we cant wait to go back with our baby boy!
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We took our oldest to Disney when she was exactly 2.5. That was about a year ago and she still remembers now, although I suppose she won’t remember much if anything when she is older. However, it was totally magical and worth it to do it at that age. She had an incredible sense of wonder and totally enjoyed it *in the moment*, which IMO is just as important as remembering it later. My husband and I also had a blast and we will never forget it. We will never forget how amazing everything looked to her at that age. We are looking to go back next year when she will be 4.5 and our youngest will be 1. I will add, I did not realize that we adults would enjoy Disney so much but we had so much fun. There was a lot we were able to do with the rideswap so we were able to avoid waiting in a lot of lines. Definitely a good time.
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