Ode to the Larsons - Spring Break - Part 2

By dinnertime Friday, the 27th, we were at Zane and Shelly Larson's home in Flagstaff, AZ. Shelly is a friend from high school and Zane is a friend from my days as a Youth Guide at the AZ Temple. They've got 4 cute kids: Ethan, Spencer, Olivia and Claire. On Saturday we drove to Sedona - within an hour from their place. We went "hiking" (I say hiking loosely - more like explore every rock and jump in every puddle you can find...) We were at the West Fork of Oak Creek (at least that's what I remember Zane said it was called). Sedona is an amazingly beautiful place with such unique landscapes. Red Rock is the name of the game here:
The beginning of the trail, there was this home ruin. The kids had fun exploring here. We shoulda known that we wouldn't make it very far - spent more time exploring than walking. Below, Carly checking out the wood pile:

Fireplace remains:

To the left (you can see it from the first picture) is this little "secret gardenish" area the kids liked. Spencer, Carly, Olivia, Mackenzie and Ethan.

Then there was this cool hole in this Rock. Were trying to figure out what they used it for. Never did quite figure it out. We used it for exploring:

Paul, Amy and Kenzie inside that hole:

Brianna dreaming of climbing that rock - a bit slippery and no real toe holds though:

Straight up - (I know this isn't all that thrilling for you Arizonans, but to the rest of us, I think you'll find it quite fascinating/amazing!)

If there was water, there were children in it. We seriously weren't planning too well, cause we were going to a NICE place for dinner after this. By the end of the hike, most were wet, many were drenched. Luckily, Shelly found clothes for Claire and Olivia and Spencer at the Gap Outlet on the way to dinner. Spencer, Aaron, Ethan and Carly:

A pretty good pic of my family - and that's hard for me to admit (at least the pic of me part)!

Zane, Brianna, Kenzie, Paul, Carly, Ethan, Spencer, Aaron and Olivia:

What is it with boys and sticks?

The trail crossed Oak Creek MANY, MANY times:

We got to this point, where we stopped for some snacks and where MOST of the water drenching occurred. The dads and older kids went a bit further while Shelly and I hung here and let the younger ones play - it was a pretty good deal, if you ask me!

All kids together - from left: Spencer, Aaron, Carly, Kenzie, Olivia, Claire, Ethan and Brianna

The parents trying to get it together for a picture:

Zane, Shelly, Amy (don't think this angle is good for my thighs) and Paul:

More wandering and exploring:

Their oldest, Ethan and Carly are both in 6th grade and had a good time together this weekend.

Spencer, Ethan, Aaron and Brianna:

So, after that adventure and stop at the Gap Outlet for dry clothes, we stopped for a quick picture of Bell Rock:

From the other side. Supposedly there is something called a "Vortex" around here that when you're at it, it's supposed to make all your planets align and everybody feel all warm and fuzzy - couldn't find that spot I guess, cause the kids were whining and hungry and just wanted to go eat. So much for that...

To the right of Bell Rock is Cathedral Rock - I think Zane and Shelly said there was a church at this place some where???? I could be making that up though...

Dinner was delicious at this great Italian place - I think when Shelly made the reservations for 12 and said there were 8 kids, they got a bit nervous cause they put us back in a separate room from everyone. Genius actually cause we didn't have to worry as much about bugging others. And luckily, there was a bathroom RIGHT there for the many potty breaks. (Aaron and Spencer thought it was HILARIOUS to drink 6 glasses of water each and go to the bathroom 6 times each! - But WE were smart enough NOT to let them go to the bathroom together - I think we foiled some of their plans!)

We had a nice time attending their ward on Sunday and a yummy dinner after. We headed down to my brother, Jacob's, in Mesa, after dinner to start that leg of our trip. Thank you Zane and Shelly and kids for opening your home to us, feeding us and entertaining us! I had a great time visiting with old (not age OLD, just long-time OLD) friends. And if you ask the kids, they still say it was one of the if not THE - BEST part of our spring break! I say so too...

Part 3 coming soon...