It Really is a Grand CANYON!!

 So.......we needed a break from the heat and the kids are on Fall Break.  2 weeks out of school and hot days still around us meant we had to get the hec out of dodge!  With no $, and a garage full of camping stuff, we knew what we had to do........pack our bags and go north.  We headed to the Grand Canyon.  It was a tight fit and took some strategic planning, but with a small budget and small space, we still had the time of our lives.  These pictures aren't in any particular order, so I will do my best to caption them as I go.

This Boy has really been the period at the end of a sentence for our family.  He anchors all of us and keeps things light and fun.  Life has had its serious moments in his short 4 years of life, but if not for him, I think all of us would have taken life way too seriously.  He makes us laugh, shake our heads in awe, and shutter with embarrassment.  He lights up all of our lives.  I know Eric would agree with me that all of our kids light  up our lives.  Having three so close together sometimes makes each phase we go through with them so intense that we forget to just "ENJOY". Having Crew there to break up the cluster reminds us of that.  He really is the Cherry on Top, and I think the other 3 Scoops of Scrumptious Ice Cream would agree.  (in case you're wondering,  Eric is the waffle cone that seems hard and woven stiff, but he really is sweet, structured, keeps us all in our place, yet rough around the edges.  (Just like I like) And you guessed it.....I'm the caramel sauce that is all over the place and always trying to smother everything I touch.  But, I'm also sweet and add so much flavor to even an already spunky bowl of goodness.  Add of few nuts to represent us all, and we all have our place in this treat of a family!

Ok, this one needs some explaining.  Crew found some Bird Poo on the picnic table and scooped some up for a closer exam.  When he came to show me what he had discovered, he was literally "flipping the bird" (poop) at me!  Sorry, it had to be done.  When will I ever get a chance to connect all those dots again!  He was mad at me that I was "laughing at him".  Oh, Crew..........

 After some long hiking, Crew fell asleep standing up in the bus.  He was exhausted. 

 He also got on pretty good terms with the wildlife.  Just a friendly wave to his Doe friend.  He just informed me that this particular friends name is "KINK".   She looks just like a Kink.....don't ya think?

I think this kid is hilarious.  He makes the funniest faces.  Some may confuse his faces with "attitude" or "disrespect".  We are working on this, but from my eyes, I see a kid with all sorts of personality and humor.  He makes me laugh. He is so helpful and smart.  This kid can remember serious facts about the most random things.  He teaches me something new every single day. He has the same work ethic ans Eric as well as taste in music, but that's a topic for another day.  I love how he keeps things moving.  He is a delight!

 And as for this character known as Sage, oh boy, have I got a mini me on my hands.  Sage is so fun to have around.  She is super creative and full of amazing ideas.  We share so much in common it's kind of scary.  I love how she makes me think about how I can be a better mom and she pushes me to keep up with her creative edge.  We really are from the same incredible mold.  I love you Crafty Sauce!

I don't know how many of you have heard the popular youtube song. "Gangnam Style".  It's sung in Korean and is quite funny.  It's got a catchy beat and has this ridiculous dance that goes along to it.  My kids think it is so funny.  On the road trip, the song came on the radio and they all broke out doing the dance moves.  Eric and I just laughed and I don't think any of us got the song out of our head the entire trip.  "Whoopem Gangnam Style...Whoop Whoop Whoop"   I haven't seen the entire music video, nor have my kids.  I don't know it's content, but the song itself is catchy.  We saw the dance on Ellen. Good Times

I don't know of another girl that has her stuff all together at 8 than this chick.  Haven is one of a kind.  She gets  good grades. Makes friends easily. Gets herself up and dressed in sassy, fun outfits everyday for school.  She does her own hair in adorable twist and braids, and she even keeps a clean room. She is super tender hearted and is willing to share a room with her messy brother, Crew.  I'm pretty sure her dramatic ways are the only flaw she has.  (wink wink)  I give her a hard time about her theatrical performances, but we all know she gets it from me. Lucky Girl (wink wink)

 

 

The minute that we got into camp we saw these Elk all around us.  It was quite a sight.  They were everywhere.  We got some amazing pictures and some close calls.  Speaking of "Calls", Fall is mating season and we sure got an ear full of "Calls" all night long.  I wasn't sure whether to be annoyed that I couldn't sleep, or grateful they were distracted as to not be interested in eating my children in the night. 

Each of us had our own way of enjoying the one of a kind taste of SMORES.  I don't care how you eat them, just eat them.  My most favorite picture is the one below of Eric.  I'm not sure if he is trying to cool off his mouth from the hot smore, or dry heaving due to the amount of marshmallows/chocolate/graham crackers  in his mouth.  Whatever the reason, this picture is priceless.

Don't underestimate out ability to bring some sort of technology with us camping.  We actually did really good.  We only used the ipods/phones in the car, and otherwise, they were off limits.  We did however rig up this awesome cinema experience each night in the tent.  We put the ipad in the above netting shelf.  We all laid down and had a perfect ceiling view of  "UP", and "Despicable Me".  It really was the perfect way to get everyone tired and settled down for a good nights sleep.  Worked like a charm.  The kids were a little chilly, but for the most part it was amazingly perfect.

Enjoying a very healthy lunch. Because that's how we roll.........................

I found this picture on the camera roll and had to laugh.  We did spend an awful lot of time in the restroom, so I guess it's only appropriate that we document that pit stop as well. We tip our "Lids" to you, Latrine's!  If not for you, we would have had a much different camping experience all together.  I'm so glad my kids didn't leave out the stick people that really made this trip what it was! Flush Away dear friends, Flush Away!

I am so proud of the kids.  We hiked at least 5 miles when all was said and done.  They were such troopers.  Even Crew.  There was some rain, wind, sunshine, and whining, but all in all, the view was to die for and the temperature was perfect.  It really was a perfect day to be with each other.  Sage and I did have to trade shoes part way through because her feet were hurting.  The fact that that was even an option reminds me of how fast my kids are growing up.  Taking these adventures away from the daily grind was so much fun and a great way to continue having quality family time.  It was the first time in 2 plus years that my back didn't hold our family back from doing a trip like this.  I had no pain the entire time. Blessing from above.

Told ya we took them on a trek.  They are pointing to the distance they walked on the map.  Troopers I tell ya.  I Love their faces! (yes i did prompt the theme behind the picture, but they took it to a whole different level)  Priceless

 

I can usually always count on Pinterest to give me some great ideas.  Such was the case on a more natural inscect reppellent.  It suggested pepperment essential oil to keep the bug bites at bay.  I already had some on hand so I thought, what a perfect chance to put it to the test.  As a responsible parent, I chose to experiement the first day on myself in case it didn't work.  The only thing I noticed was soon after I put it on, some bee's showed up.  I really didn't connect that with the pepperment though.  That is until day two.  I told my kids about my Pinterest find and the girls wanted to try it with me.  Right before our tinfoil dinner, we put our armour on.  Soon after, the bee's showed up again.  Sage and Haven are terrified of bee's.  (Notice Sages face in the above picture).  It got so bad the girls ran to the tent, and their dinners were taken over by bee's.    There are at least 5 of them in the picture below.   Our conclusion to the Pinterest Idea is as follows:   We didn't get a bug bite, but the infestation of bee's was just as miserable. I think we will stick to the OFF Spray. It worked too.  Lesson Learned.

ON Our Way home we decided to take a serious scenic view and go through the popular Sedona. It was gorgeous.  It looked like if Moab and Park City Utah got married.  I know we didn't even see all there is to see there, so we look forward to going back.  I hear they have a water slide there that is on the rocks.  Not  to mention the bike trails, and rock climbing adventures.  It really is a cool place.  Oh yeah, and if you like the Navajo Jewelry stands you find at Newspaper Rock and other popular sights, there is no shortage in Sedona.  I want to go back there just for the Jewelry.  Some Gorgeous one of a kind pieces that didn't look super tribal.  There was so much to choose from.

 

This was our view during lunch at a quaint pizza parlor.  I mean, come on people. That is an adorable little boy!  Oh, and the view is nice too!

We did continue up through Payson, Roosevelt, and Globe on the way home.  It was a long car ride of windy Mountian roads.  The scenery was awesome.  The leaves weren't quite changing yet which was a bummer, but it was nice to get my barrings staighter in Arizona and see what is around me.  There were a few times in Sedona, and the Grand Canyon that people asked me where we were from.  I got tongued tied and about said Utah.  I haven't had to answer Arizona yet, and it tasted kind of funny coming out of my mouth.  I am embracing the "New Us", but it's times like that, that I realize I still have some adjusting to do. We love Arizona and have so much good to say about this place.  We look forward to all the many more exploring, memory making adventures that are in front of us!  Carpe Diem!