Friday, December 31, 2010

Day Four--Zoo lights

We took it easy on day four...the kids went to Dan and Karen's to play, while Mom and I went shopping and Dave went to in-n-out (again).





Then at night we went to the Phoenix zoo and saw the Zoo lights...it was cool! But it did rain a bit. We got wet but we were not cold. A few of us were wearing sandals and we were not cold!




You can see the rain a little through the lights...





I would hate to have the job of decorating the cacti!!

Then the kids spent some time petting the sting rays...














Day Three--Sunset Canyon and Sedona

We started our day with a quick hike in Sunset Canyon...a site of an inactive volcano. It was very interesting walking around and seeing the rock that used to be lava...it was a fun hike A little windy






The San Fransico peaks in the background and the low clouds brought SNOW! We didn't see any where we were.













A cave formed by the rock moving around is now blocked.


We stopped for lunch and then took a drive down into a canyon with super windy roads and stopped to see some red rocks. We took an off-road tour and got our car a little dirty!




Day Two-Grand Canyon

We drove up to the Grand Canyon on Monday...it was a beautiful drive into Flagstaff and beyond! We stopped by the entrance sign and Abbey saw some Elk on the side of the road but we didn't get pictures of them...Abbey gets $2 for spotting them! Our first stop in the Grand Canyon was this view...it was beautiful!
And a little windy and cold...we needed our winter coats and mittens!


Pictures do not do this amazing site justice!!

The best family shot we got in the canyon...






A very appropriate sign...It is Psalm 104:24 How many are your works, oh Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

The girls at the canyon

Another view...





Looking out at the majestic sights










We went all the way to Hermits Cove...the point that is farthest west in the park (that we could get to) and had some hot chocolate by a fire...it was beautiful....


And this was our view as we sat down to warm up!



Sing praises indeed!



Beautiful, fun day!


We left the Canyon around 5 and drove to Flagstaff to spend the night...they had a pool...outside! So, of course we went swimming...well, Abbey did (see her head in the big pool) and the rest of us went in the hot tub. It was nice and warm in the hot tub but boy it was cold when we got out!!



Thursday, December 30, 2010

Day One of our AZ Trip

OK...these are backwards...but here you go...
We spent Christmas and a few extra days in AZ at my Mom's house and visiting my brother Dan and family. We were able to celebrate two family birthdays while we were there...Day one was Dave's birthday....
We ended the day with Apple Pie! Yum We spent the afternoon swimming with Dan and the boys! Swimming on your b-day...how cool is that??

We got to eat in-n-out burger...outside!!! It was beautiful!
And, here's the birthday boy having his in-n-out burger...can you guess what he got?



Breakfast in bed...he was awfully spoiled! Happy Birthday, Dave!!