Friday, May 31, 2019

Grand Canyon: Part 1

With school out, we decided to go to the Grand Canyon to explore our state.  Everyone but Matthew had been before but Megan was one month old last time and Me was pregnant with Matthew.  Time to go and make some lasting family memories and do a little more hiking.

Sarah captured pictures of the sunset as we drove to the Canyon.

There were beautiful clouds.

Good morning Grand Canyon!  We got up early to go collect Junior Ranger booklets for Megan and Matthew and then get on the trail.

A view down the South Kaibab trail.  Lots of switch backs.  We hiked 1.5 miles into the canyon and dropped 1200 feet in elevation.

Intrepid hikers on their way down the canyon.

Megan posing with the canyon.  The weather was beautiful for hiking,  Excellent visibility and cooler temperatures.

Yes, that is the real name of the point.  The view certainly inspired it.

All of us together at Ooh Aah Point.

Always hike with a buddy.

Look how far down we've come already.

A great view of the canyon.

Sisters!

Cedar Ridge.  This was our turn around point  Megan and Sarah waited while the others went exploring a little farther.

Me and her favorite son.

The Colorado River runs through that deep trench over there.

Hard to imagine how long it took to cut this whole thing.

Panoramic to the left.
Panoramic to the right



Mules coming up the trail, time for flight.
(Seriously, the volunteer pointed out that you might not want to follow them up the trail since they would leave fresh presents for us...)

U and Me as seen by Matthew at Cedar Ridge.

Our handsome photographer joined us for a shot.

Walking back across a stone bridge to collect the girls.

Sarah posed for some pictures for her Instagram account.  Isn't she cute?

Hanging out in the canyon.

Sarah loved taking pictures and adding filters.  
(As a side note, if you ever have a teen who doesn't want their picture taken, give them the camera and let them take selfies. You will end up with a lot of pictures!)

Uh oh! The mules are here. Time to book it uphill. 

Matthew and Me coming up the hill.

We stopped to take a rest at Ooh Ahh Point but Matthew climbed some rocks instead.  That is why they are there right? 

See how tall the rocks are?
Back at the top!  We beat the mules up.  It was helpful motivation for everyone.

Looking down at where we had been.

We stopped by Yaki Point for some more view into the Grand Canyon.


Matthew wanted a picture with his big sister too.

The elk are not afraid to walk right by you.  They see a lot of people here.

Megan and Matthew being sworn in as Junior Rangers.

U and Megan with the Hopi Building.


Thursday, May 30, 2019

Grandma and Grandpa Visit and Other Happenings

Grandma and Grandpa O came to visit the end of May. The kids enjoyed swimming at their pool and eating breakfast at their hotel. We attended a Memorial Day Service at a local cemetery and ate dinner at Sweet Tomatoes. And of course we went to the Botanical Garden.
Matthew at the front of the Botanical Garden.

Grandma with beautiful flowers in her hair.

We saw this large lizard multiple times.

Grandpa, Matthew and U at our typical photo spot.

Inside the wigwam.

Matthew, Megan, Me, Grandma, Sarah and Grandpa

Megan and Matthew playing in the tree.

Grandpa and Matthew

There were so many bees in and around these flowers. They were literally buzzing!

Sarah, Me, Matthew, U, Grandma, Megan

Matthew and Megan enjoyed putting together some puzzles with Grandma.

Sarah in Grandma's car. Grandma took her shopping to spend some of her birthday money. That's always well received!

Another puzzle with Grandma.

Sarah gave this pot she created in art class to Grandma and Grandpa.

At its new home on Grandma's counter.

A few of Sarah's other art class creations:



U had a sleep study done. Think he's hooked up to enough hoses? He was diagnosed with sleep apnea and now uses a CPAP.

Matthew and Megan were able to get in the limo that took Sarah to the 8th grade dance. They were super excited!
Matthew explored the limo while the girls finished getting ready. He thought it looked like a fun way to travel.

Megan enjoyed getting in the limo as well.
Cute box art!

Matthew's end of year party included a snowball fight!