Arizona-Day 3

 After a little shopping in old town Sedona and one final climb, we moved onto Scottsdale where we would be staying for the remainder of our trip. 

The house was the perfect way to end our trip. We swam, relaxed, Andy attended his webinar lectures poolside with a drink in hand.  Not a bad way to learn!

Scottsdale was much warmer than Sedona so we chose a smaller hike with some ice cream to finish off our day.  We were all excited to get to the house we were renting because it had a private pool for our enjoyment. 

Arizona-Day 2

 Day 2 we woke up refreshed from a good night sleep after traveling and adventuring during our long day 1.   We packed our warmer gear, got some breakfast, and headed north to the Grand Canyon. 

Our drive was beautiful and snowy!  You quickly realize as you drive through AZ that it isn't just desert, it was fun to see so much of the state in only a few days.

It was about 40 degrees when we arrived at the canyon, we were chilly, it was a little windy, but we were warmer in the sunshine.  We started with picking up a few souvenirs - Marie chose a warmer sweatshirt, Bennett a 7 in 1survival tool, and Brooks a survival kit.  These will all come in handy during the day...

The first look really did take our breath away.  We were quiet yet constantly saying "wow!"

3 monkeys

we spotted the river

quick trips to different views gave us a chance to warm up and grab a few snacks complete with a full lunch in the vehicle - pb sandwiches and chips for the win!

Brothers and their binoculars

hiking a trail into the canyon

we even got to see the mules carrying supplies and garbage out of the canyon. 

On our way out of the canyon, everyone agreed we wanted to go back in a few years and camp there so we could spend more time exploring.  

On the way home we decided to add on Devil's Bridge to our day...why not right?

We knew it would be kind of taxing but we definitely underestimated the length of the hike as well as how strenuous it would be. After a full day, our legs were pretty tired.  

 

 

 

Brooks was a machine...and Andy did carry him for quite awhile.  As sunset approached, Andy and Brooks turned around.  I looked at Bennett and Marie and asked their opinion - both said "carry on!"  Andy warned me about the sun setting so we booked it up the rest of the way and found ourselves at Devil's Bridge.  

It was beautiful...the sun on the rocks, the feeling of being so small, and experiencing it with the kids will forever be one of my best memories.  I warned them both of how careful we had to be and then we took our careful steps on the bridge.  We sat down to look around safely before leaving the rock. 

After the moments on the bridge, we knew we had to get moving before it got dark.  The kids and I jogged most of the way back toward the trail head while we had light.  But then it happened - the sun set. 

 

I called Andy and told him we were safe, but it was dark.  My phone map was working and Bennett had his souvenir survival tool.  It had the compass, we knew we were going the right way.  We used his flashlight as well as followed tracks of jeeps that had gone before us.  We knew there was a group ahead of us and behind us.  We could hear them all and that gave us some comfort.  The kids did get anxious and asked great questions, we kept talking and that helped mom stay in her right mind too...I definitely had some nerves, but I trusted my gut and we used all our resources to help us.  Soon, I saw the parking lot sign and heard Andy's voice.  We had made it!

 

Since the trip we have been asked if we were scared, I would say no to being scared on the bridge, but I also felt like we were prepared.  We were careful and we trusted the kids to follow the directions we gave.  I hope these adventures leave them with the thought that we have to be prepared for adventures, we don't have to be scared if we are prepared properly and make good decisions before and during the trip.  It takes preparation and guts to take the kids on vacations like this and our kids make it so special for us.

After all that on day 2, dinner and s'mores around the fire hit the spot!

Arizona Day 1

The first week of March we had the pleasure of taking off for a family get-a-way.  Andy was planning on taking a class and we had the opportunity to join. 

Day 1- we were awake a loooong time for travel and we landed in Phoenix around 9:30 a.m.  We found our rental car, ate brunch, and headed north to Sedona. 

 

The drive wasn't long but gorgeous.  We enjoyed the sunshine and pool for the afternoon...it was only 65 degrees but what a difference the sunshine makes!

 

 

After a few hours of relaxing, we headed to our first hike, Cathedral Rock.  The kids took off running and didn't wait for Mom and Dad.  It was stunningly beautiful, very windy, and surprisingly simple to climb.  We stopped every once in awhile to look down and we were surprised how far we had gone!

We are finding that our kids love being physical on our trips - accepting new challenges and pushing a few limits.

Dad and the crew

windy climb

boys taking a  break

 

Winter Fun

Winter can get old after awhile but we have stayed busy with plenty of activities.  Winter games still happened this year (yeah!)  and we were happy to enjoy them with decent weather, along with Nate, Maxine, Grammy and Papa.  As always we ended with the fireworks and burning of the greens.

 

We have had a few concerts - singing (with masks), band - Marie is playing the saxophone.  They are different but we are happy to still get the experience.

Snow was plentiful after the new year - snowmen, snow ice cream, and several batches of hot cocoa with fires.

Puzzles, reading (Brooks is becoming quite the reader)  and Lego building also keep us busy.

We surprised the kids with a trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Minneapolis this winter on one of the coldest weekends.  We played games, swam a lot, went down water slides, body surfed, and enjoyed some quality family time.