Arizona Trip Day 3 - a

Thursday morning we reached the Grand Canyon National Park. We pulled into the parking lot and BAM, right there was this "Javelina/Collared Peccary". (We thought it was a warthog at first.) Brennan jumped out the car and careful took some photos. To my knowledge, no one else around even noticed it, they were so focused on looking at where to park.

After looking for some additional warmth (like hats) in the store, we walked down the path to see the sights.

Kieran was, in hindsight, probably not feeling well. But he was miserable unless I was holding him, which made me a little miserable because he's kind of heavy and me in a jacket trying to carry him in a jacket is not the easiest thing. He was never satisfied with the WAY I was holding him either. I will never take a three-year-old to the Grand Canyon again!

Yeah, it was a little windy that day.

I could put him down at the viewpoint, thankfully. But he wouldn't stay with me. He has his own mind, this one.

It was a pretty cool place though. I would like to visit again with older kids and nicer weather and do some hiking or other activities.

Arizona Trip Day 2

We arrived on a Tuesday and the next day kept outselves out of the Beckstead's hair by heading out towards the Grand Canyon. I had learned before the trip that the Grand Canyon in cold - even snowy - in the winter. I hadn't previously known that. The swiftness of the temperature change was astounding though. As we left Mesa that day the kids complained about the heat. In the car, I could see the kids with pink, sweaty faces and had to run the a/c. About an hour later, there was snow on the ground. By the time we got to our hotel 2 hours outside Mesa, it was a LOT of snow and quite freezing. That night it reached, I think it was, 12 degrees. Wowsers!

For cost and other purposes I decided to stay in Williams, AZ which is about an hour away from the park. We rolled into town in the evening and nobody was really all that hungry, so we went out for some malts.

I didn't know it before, but it turns out that Williams is the last stop on the old route 66 and very much plays that up. As we drove through the town that Wednesday evening I felt like I was visiting Radiator Springs in it's heyday. :-) SO fun. 

As usual, I always try to select hotels with indoor pools. The hot tubs are the greatest appeal though.

Next day: Grand Canyon or bust!

Trip to Arizona Day 1

We left after school on Monday Jan 30th and drove up to Portland to sleep in a hotel. After some fun in the pool, we retired to the room and lights were out with at least 3 kids asleep by 8:30. Whew, we were already worn out.

6:30 wake up time feels different to different people

Having some hotel breakfast. Just about time to go!

Bright and early flight - but at least there was a little play area right across from our gate.

The flight out was pretty uneventful (whew!). In fact, Hollyn konked out immediately and slept the entire flight until we landed. In her defense, she was still fighting the bug in the middle of making its way through the family though. Kieran was decent, for a toddler.

5 minutes later

Kieran made some toast with butter. Mmmm, just like Grandma likes to make! (Notice the ticking sound effects, lol)

We made it safe and sound and were picked up by Jenny. The kids loved the cool designs of the overpasses and the palm trees. 

After Jackie got home, there may or may not have been some jumps into the FREEZING cold pool by a couple of crazy cooks.

Fun in the sun. At a park. In January.

- Day 1 -

The Cello Guy

Asher's first Elementary Strings concert was super fun. He was getting over being sick and still looked a little like death itself (and had trouble with the bright lights being in his eyes, so he kept hiding his face behind his cello). I'm excited for more concerts to come!