Grand Canyon

My friend Aaron has started a tradition where he hikes some trail in the Grand Canyon every year. I finally was 'tricked' into a nice easy hike this year. We started at the top on the South Kaibab trail, down to the Colorado River, and across to the Bright Angel Trail. After a short 10 hours and a nice easy 17 miles (and when I say easy, I mean the most difficult hike I've ever done) we conquered the canyon. The Park Service web site says that people shouldn't hike down and up in the same day, and unless you are in pretty good shape, you shouldn't. This hike is both physically and mentally demanding. By the last 3 miles, we were all completely exhausted and baby stepping our way to the top. It was a great 'life hike' and I look forward to tackling it again several more times. Hopefully when I'm 60 I can be as strong as my Dad and hike it with Cole and his buddy! Thanks for a memorable hike guys!

Good morning...it's 5:30am and we're ready!




Here comes the sun...fun to watch the canyon slowly light up.

Ok, the sun's up! Let's rock!

Me and my Dad. He is one tough hiker

The scenery

The crew

Ok...we made it to the river! Now comes the hard part!

Til next time Grand Canyon

Friends

Our good friends the Jacksons kindly invited us over for dinner tonight and we had such a great night. Ok, truth be told, we invited ourselves but we are good friends and we can do that!!!
Samantha played with Lily, Brian and Mary's pomeranian, even though ever time we go there she is terrified of her! I think tonight was a turning point.
Tyler played with Cole, but mostly Sammer. They are closer in size after all. Thanks for sharing all of your fun toys Ty Guy:)
Thanks Mary and Brian for a yummy dinner and a relaxing night with friends.
We love you guys.


Tyler and Cole chillin before dinner.

Sammie petting her new BFF Lily!

Peek-A-Boo!

Pure Joy.

All snuggled up.

Ready to zonk out.

Morning visitor

This morning we watched our neighbor's little boy Zachary for a little bit before school. The kids we so happy-we don't usually have guests for breakfast! They had a morning picnic out back. They love playing outside and it has been so nice out in the mornings, it was perfect.
Cole wasn't sure about sharing HIS toys, but we are working on that!


I can't believe I got all 3 of them to look at me
for a picture!!!


It's funny...when the girls play in the playhouse they
have snacks, talk on the phone and play with the
windows.....then the boys are in the playhouse what is
the big fun???? The doorbell! Ha! So funny!

What a mess

Here is the proof that my kids DO get messy! Ha!


Last night Cole was shoveling refried beans into his face by the fistful! Seriously!
He had beans in his hair, eyelashes, eyebrows. It was quite the scene.

Today Maura came over and the girls played in the backyard for almost
2 hours!
They were "gardening" and making mud pies. The had a great time.

Ouch!

So today while I was out Peter got a hold of the clippers...Cole is now ready to join the military! His hair is really short--in most places! Ha! Peter is determined to figure this whole hair cutting thing out.
Then, Cole was crawling out the the back and apparentlyy fell right on his noggin. He has a huge black and blue egg on his forehead. Which is about right because I was finally going to go get his 1 year pics this week-oh well, what's another month.