ALL ABOARD to the Grand Canyon!

 
This year during Spring Break, we took a family vacation to Phoenix, Arizona to see the Grand Canyon. We also visited our friends, the Allen's, (who moved to Scottsdale, AZ last summer) for a few days. Along with the Allen's clan, we took a day trip to Sedona's Slide Rock National Park.

The trip was unique in that it all started when we hopped aboard an Amtrak Passenger train for an overnight adventure. We had a family "sleeper" car where our family of 5 could sleep comfortably. When it was time for breakfast, lunch, and dinner we made reservations to eat together in the "dining" car.

Throughout the 28 hours that we rode, Ashlee and Sydney were able to hang out in the "lounge" car, playing cards with the other kids on the train. We had a "porter" who helped us with our questions, reservations, and woke us up so that we didn't miss our stop in Maricopa, AZ.

Houston train station

Waiting at the train station in Houston

ALL ABOARD!!!

view of the Pecos River from train

James enjoying the view of the countryside

Sleeper car

checking out the beds

Sleeping on the train

Our Porter

Dining car

Eating breakfast in the dining car

Getting off the train in Maricopa

 Once we arrived in Maricopa, AZ we caught a taxi that took us to the car rental place in Phoenix. We rented our SUV and drove to Peoria, AZ where we stayed for 3 days at the Cibola Vista Resort. And boy! This resort was a fantastic retreat!!!

After our relaxing stay in Peoria, we headed to the Grand Canyon where we spent 2 days hiking and touring the South Rim. An absolute awesome creation... Someone stated something like, "The Grand Canyon is God's canvas for us to see His beautiful artistic creation." I completely agree! The beauty is indescribable.

We walked along the South Rim where at times was quite scary. There was a trail but sometimes we would be walking along a cliff with nothing between us and death! When we got tired of walking we hopped on a tram that dropped us off at different scenic views until we arrived at Hermit's Rest...the last stop on the South Rim...19 miles west.

After 100 times of hearing their mother say "Get away from the edge!" the kids started giving me a hard time. hahaha!

View of several hiking trails 

Close up of hiking trail with a shelter. If you look closely you can see hikers.

Powell Peak

Colorado River 

Colorado River

Bus ride to Hermit's Rest

Hermit's Rest was the last stop 19 miles down the South rim.

Hand built fireplace (now coffee/gift shop) from 1914

After we left the Grand Canyon we headed to Scottsdale to stay a few days with the Allen's. We BBQ'd, hiked the Indian Preservation in their backyard (literally!) and took a day trip to Sedona. The Allen's had just finished building a pool and the weather was perfect for outdoor fun!

Leaving for a hike up Indian Reservation

Hiking on the Indian Reservation

Top of the Indian Reservation behind Allen's house

View of the neighborhood in Scottsdale

Once in Sedona we stopped at a tourist rest stop where the park guide read The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss and the kids gave an oath to take care of nature. It was perfect timing because the movie had just come out and we ended up seeing it a couple days later.

Giving the Lorax Oath!

We drove through Sedona's beautiful red rock, mountainous countryside and arrived at Slide Rock National Park. We ate lunch and went to find the sliding rock! We found a popular river with rapids that we enjoyed even though it was extremely cold! The kids had a blast climbing the red rock and exploring!

The day after Sedona it was time to pack our things and head back to Maricopa where we caught the overnight train back to Houston. We were supposed to have arrived in Houston by 4:30am but apparently the train ahead of us hit a pedestrian and we were delayed 5 hours while the police did their investigation.

We eventually arrived safely at home after 9 adventurous days seeing the beautiful earth that God created for us to explore. Definitely a family trip we will remember forever!!!

It's RODEO Time!!!

 In March falls my birthday and also the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. So this year, I thought it would be fun to take the kids to the carnival and livestock show for my "birthday party."

 We had a blast and the kids even talked me into getting on a few rides with them. I am deathly scared of heights but somehow I walked onto the Ferris Wheel thinking it was a piece of cake until we were sent 100s of feet up in the air. That's when my body froze! The kids thought it was hilarious that their Mom could be so scared. Now, I can remember a time when it didn't really bother me to be up in the air either, but when I had children...things changed.

 Somehow, someway.. I did grab my camera to get this cute shot of my fearless three!

 Ashlee and Sydney rode all kinds of roller coaster rides. They went spinning, falling, and laughing all afternoon. James was able to ride most rides but this Disko one was just for the bigger kids. I thought I would throw up just watching them spin! haha

 Well you can't go to the Rodeo and not eat the food! We grabbed a turkey leg to share, deep fried oreo's and deep fried cookie dough.  Yes...you read it correctly. The Rodeo is known for deep frying just about anything. We saw everything!  From deep fried pickles to deep fried Kool-aid!

 And... once again the kids talked me into going on the SKY ride across the carnival through the air. I just knew we were all going to die, but I must be a desperate Mom because I was still able to snap a few pictures with one hand while having a death grip on my kids with the other.

 YEAH! Back on the ground we played some games, trying to win a big stuffed animal. Which of course, never happened. But hey, we had fun trying!!!

 James was amazed by the livestock show and how big those cows are when you get up close. The pigs were his favorite. The girls hung out with some friends that they ran into while I took James to the petting zoo. At first he was a bit reluctant to touch the animals but quickly warmed up and didn't want to leave until he had the chance to pet each animal that was there.

 I have to say that the Rodeo is one of my favorite traditions. I grew up going with my family and now I get to take my kids. I LOVE THAT!

Happy 14th Birthday Ashlee!

 Our oldest baby turned 14 this past February. It's hard to believe that she is so grown up. She loves God, family, friends, and school. We are very proud of the sweet, beautiful young lady she is becoming!

 The newest "cool" thing to do in our city is SKYZONE! So we loaded the SUV up with teenagers and spent two hours of pure jumping adrenaline at the indoor trampoline park.

 The big kids played basketball and dodgeball, jumped in the sponge pit, and bounced of the walls even! While James jumped in a secure place just for little people.

After the jumping fun, we came back to the house for crafts, pizza and a sleepover. Ashlee's friends, Tori, Marissa, Colleen, Samantha, and cousin Alyssa decorated letters to hang in their rooms.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY< ASHLEE!~