Completed - FINALLY! - Spring Break Part 3

So, I had good intentions of getting right back on here and finishing up our Spring Break adventures - but got a bit sidetracked with life and stuff. Here are some pics to finally finish our trip - I know you've all been waiting on pins and needles. Our family with a rare sight for us - a Saguaro CACTUS - seriously, you Arizonans, may not make fun of us. Come on up and we'll show you 200+ foot pines and cedars in OUR backyard... This day we had gone on a hike in a "National Forest" - this made the kids laugh - wondering where the actual TREES were in this forest! And they whined most of the time cause of the "heat" - it was a whopping 80 degrees! I said, "Oh, you people know nothing." Then again, we're wearing shorts and feeling all summery when the temps hit 60 degrees at home. (That's my brother, Jake in the baseball cap, up front, with Aaron.)

Carly, Amy, Brianna, Aaron, Kenzie and Uncle Jake: That evening, March 31st, we attended the Easter Pageant at the Arizona Temple. This is one of the main things I wanted my family to experience while in Arizona. I have many fond memories of serving, giving tours at the Visitors Center and gardens and of the pageant. Gorgeous day and wonderful time!

Seats filling up before Easter Pageant - we were fortunate to have a friend of a friend of my sister, Becca's, save us seats in the front row so Brianna and Kenzie could see as much as possible:

While we waited for the pageant to start, Paul walked around with some of the kids and took pics. Love this one of the Temple at sunset:

Kenzie, Brianna, Amy and Carly cozying up while waiting for start time:

A few shots from the pageant. Christ healing a leper:

Entire cast at the end before Jesus ascends:

Final moments:It was SOOO much greater than I remembered from 20 years ago and I'm SOOO grateful my family and I were able to enjoy this together.

The following pictures are of family members who live in Arizona. Had a number of fun visits with them while we were there. This is Nathan, Katie's oldest: Kenzie, Aaron and Carly in the hot tub - Is Aaron enjoying this or feeling tortured?

Claire, Katie's youngest:

Lincoln, Jake's oldest:

Amy, Jake and Katie:

Amena (Jake's youngest) - absolutely chewable!:

Amy and Jake - I just like this picture:

A very pretty Katie:

Riley, Katie's middle (look JUST like Katie did!) She likes making this pose with her head cocked to the side every time a camera's aimed at her. So funny:

Mom, Amy and Katie:

Paul seeing how much of a beard he can grow on vacation:

It wasn't all just family - I did manage a couple visits with friends amongst everythng else I/we did. I went to lunch with Colette and Gayle at Cheesecake Factory (LOVE Jamaican Black Pepper Shrimp there) one day (sad I didn't get a pic taken with the three of us), then Gayle and her family came to visit one evening. It was great getting to know her family more. Sure wish I lived close to ALL I love and hold dear! Here is a pic of myself and Gayle. She looks great - I coulda used a little makeup or something - I'm looking a bit pasty!:

Great visit to Arizona and one that probably won't be repeated by my WHOLE family for a very long time. Thanks to all who hosted and played with us! MANY great memories were made - I have the pictures to prove it! Now everything that's been going on SINCE we got home coming up...

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...

Grand Canyon - Spring Break - Part 1

I know, long time no talk to... It's been a nutty month and a half with much to tell and show. When we got home from our spring break adventures, our internet had been cut back (long story - not our fault either) and was running dog slow - at dial-up speed. So, haven't been able to upload ANYTHING. We're now trialing ClearWire and I'm testing it out today with blogging.
I'm going to break our spring break up into a few posts. Feel free to grab a snack before you begin - this could take a while...

We flew to Phoenix on March 25th and drove straight to the Grand Canyon that night. Arrived in Tusayan, AZ ( a few miles from the south rim) about midnight. We spent the next two days seeing the sights - and WOW what sights there were to see! I had NEVER been to the Grand Canyon, even with living in AZ for 4 years. Was fun to see with the kids - Here is our Grand Canyon journey in pictures: Brianna:

Keeping track of Aaron was a trick. When he wasn't trying to LEAN over the rails (if there were even rails) he was found hanging from whatever tree he could find. He had a number of "talking to" moments and by day 2 stayed on the safe side of things better. Hard to keep his adventurous spirit down! As my dad always says, "Hasn't got the sense God gave a goose."

Carly and Aaron:

Kenzie and Carly:

By mid-morning the first day, the clouds rolled in quickly and it started snowing! Yep, that was cool, but VERY VERY cold with the wind that came with it. We spent the rest of the morning and afternoon going through visitors centers, seeing the cool IMAX movie back by the hotel and eating lunch. Here's a sign showing the forecast for the day. Looks like the next day should be much better weather!

By evening, the snow had stopped, still chilly, in the 30's, but we went back out and stopped at a few more view points. We were killing time til sunset.

Carly:

Paul - yes he climbed over there:

Paul braved the cold wind and sub freezing temps to get these amazing pics of the Grand Canyon at sunset. Poor guy, came back with frozen fingers - don't think they completely thawed til sometime during the night.

The smart ones - Brianna, Kenzie and I - stayed in the van and enjoyed the view:

Gone:

Anytime we find pics of clouds on the card, we know who had the camera. Brianna has this love of clouds that's not quite understood - but appreciated:

The next day, Friday, found the skies crystal clear with temps in the upper 50's - just like we like it! Here's Aaron making mom a bit nervous with his proximity to the edge!:

Kenzie's "Me and the Grand Canyon" shot:

I needed one too! I even have my new "GRAND CANYON" sweatshirt on - just in case I forgot where I was.:

Brianna, Aaron, Amy, Carly and Kenzie - cool vantage point:

We found this sign funny AND scary all at the same time: "Use Caution Near the Edge. People Die Here!" Doesn't that just give you warm fuzzies?!?!?!

Hey, look at that! The WHOLE family together! Carly, Amy, Aaron, Kenzie, Brianna and Paul:

Nicely framed Paul - your father would be proud!

Carly and Aaron:

Aaron, Brianna, Kenzie and Carly:

Are you over the Grand Canyon yet? Almost done... Along the rim trail that we followed for 5 miles that second day: (Poor Paul - seems to always be behind the camers - that's usually my spot!)

The end of the rim trail is at Hermits Rest.

Resting at Hermits Rest:

Paul and I decided that we'd like to venture IN TO the Grand Canyon WITHOUT kids one day. He'd like to use his feet to get in and out and I'd like to utilize a helicopter (at least for the coming out portion - we'll see who wins out...) We opted to take the bus back to the beginning of the trail. This concludes our Grand Canyon portion of spring break. On to the Larson's by dinnertime and another blog post.