Grand Canyon Day 2

The kids were up early because we are two hours ahead of AZ. I took them to the pool and we had a morning swim, well I actually sat in the hot tub. Sam still had a low fever when he woke up. I checked his legs again, still no red spots. He took some ibuprofen and decided he could carry on for the day. We took the bus to the point were we left off on the rim trail. We hiked until everyone was tired and then took the bus back to our van. We took the Desert View trail with our van stopping at all the viewing points. We saw an elk on the way. Renée and Carter got sick of looking at the Grand Canyon and decided to stay in the van for a few of the stops. We got to see the remains of a Native American village and tour the Watchtower, which was build in 1932. After being fine all day, Renée threw up on the stairs in the watchtower. There are only one set of stairs that are about two feet wide. While I went to get paper towels to clean up Sam did his best to ask everyone going up or down to watch their step. Not our favorite parent moment! After getting that cleaned up we chose a spot on the rim to watch the sun set. It was spectacular.

I know you are thinking there are a lot of pictures, but I actually sorted threw 800 to chose these.

Hiking along the rim.

We took a lot of breaks and ate a lot of snacks.

I love what my kids do in pictures.

We weren't that close to the edge:)

We really wore Carter out.  He fell asleep on the bus a lot.

Along the desert view.  R & C stayed in the car.

Gavin is getting to be a better photographer.

The Watchtower

Sam and Gavin asked me to take this one.

I love that you can see so much of the Colorado River.

Interior of the Watchtower

View below the Watchtower

Waiting for the sun to set.

Magnificent

Grand Canyon Day 1

We drove all day on Saturday (about 14 hours) to get to Flagstaff, AZ. We spend the night in a hotel there because it was significantly cheaper than our hotel right outside the park. My kids are fantastic travelers. I give full credit to their DVD players and headphones, but what ever works. My kids were getting over the stomach flu so we brought our bucket. Renée threw up several times in route and Carter threw up in our hotel room (luckily in the bathroom). We decided to skip church and our plans to get together with friends who were also vacationing at the Grand Canyon. It is an hour drive from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon. After we got there were hiked on the rim and checked out the visitors’ center. We took the bus to the farthest point, Hermits Rest, and hiked until the kids got tired. We had a snow ball fight, not near the edge of course, and the kids had a great time making a shadow monster. When we got back to our van, Renée threw up, after acting fine all day. Carter and Gavin still wanted to swim in the hotel’s indoor pool so I took them while Sam stayed with Renée. When we got back I realized Sam had a fever. My first fear was more celulitis, but he didn’t have any red spots. Once everyone was asleep I called Alycia to complain that we can’t ever have a vacation without someone getting sick!

fun with shadows

Dangerous Friend

The weather has been so nice here.  Everyday I go to pick Gavin and Renée up from school they beg me to let them walk.  One day I agreed and was on the phone when Gavin came in and told me that he was swinging around his backpack and his water bottle flew out and hit Tyler in the head right between his eyes.  I was expecting to offer a boo-boo bag and some sympathy so I didn’t rush outside, but I should have.  Tyler was sitting on the curb with blood dripping out of his forehead into a one foot puddle.  I rushed inside and got some gauze and took him home.  His father is a dentist so he was able to do the stitching himself but Gavin felt really bad.  I think it might be dangerous to be Gavin’s friend.

Keeping Busy

Yard Stick Carter – I thought of this while waiting for my paint order at home depot. I used five yard sticks and cut them up with a miter saw. I used wood glue to connect the pieces. When that dried, I glued cut up paint stirrers to the back to go over the joins. Cost $3

Fabric Wreath – I loved having my valentine’s wreath on the mantel, so when February ended, I wanted something more permanent. I used four yards of decorator fabric and a straw wreath. This took forever but I love it. Cost $40

St. Patrick’s Day banner – Lindsey gave me a quick instruction of how she makes her birthday banners. I used rick rack instead of more fabric to connect it all which was more expensive, but oh so cute! Cost $8

HUGE painting project – I painted my two story entry way, formal living, formal dining, up the stairs, and gameroom in ivory invitation. It is a big change from my beige, red, and green, but I love it. I am also painting the ceilings white and the trim white. The gameroom, which is becoming my new art studio, is still a work in process but it is coming along, Anyone remember this easel. Sam made it for me after I had Renée and I am finally dusting it off.

So if you haven’t heard from me in a while, that is what I have been doing.

My mom made Carter this tool bedding.  I thought I would show it off.

close up of fabric wreath