Texas

Pictures of everyone waiting to board the Grand Canyon Railway, the lovely Grand Canyon, Another view of the Canyon and the train robber on the way back from the Grand Canyon.

We had a fantastic time with mam and pap. The week really did just fly by. When we got to the Grand Canyon area it was so cold that at night the temperature was a balmy 13 degrees. We were in shock when our hoses froze for the water supply. My parents were in total disbelief and dad had a hard time getting warm. The day we left for the Grand Canyon was chilly but not too bad. The train ride there was fun with cowboys singing to us and entertaining both there and home. We had a few hours to tour the canyon, not enough really but at least the kids and mam and pap got to experience the overwhelming beauty of it. It is truly surreal to the naked eye.

Once we left the Grand Canyon we drove south and returned to Phoenix. The weather there was spectacular to say the least. Again lots of swimming and skatepark riding. Mom and Dad left us on Tuesday evening late as they caught the red eye home. It was sad to see them go I know the kids really liked having them here as did John and I. They are so supportive and loving in all their ways. Thank you for everything mom and dad we love you. Look forward to seeing you real soon.

Now we are in western Texas and man there isn't much here but driving through this part is necessary to get to our destination of Florida. We are at a really nice state park in a city I don't even know how to pronounce. We arrived late last evening after spending the previous night in El Paso, TX.

Still loving AZ

Pictures of Bowen and Dad, Dad and kids and slide rock. Sedona skatepark.


We picked up my parents on Tuesday at the PHX airport and my were we all excited to see them. The kids were about to bust they were so happy. Their flight arrived on time and from the airport we drove back to our RV. This campground in Phoenix was by far one of the nicest we have been to. We were happy to share this current location of our home with mom and dad. For most of the day we hung out and talked in addition to swim in the cool pool waters.
The next day was John's 37 birthday. We ate cake again for breakfast and gave him his presents. We swam again and went to the skatepark. One of the best we have visited. It was a moderated park so the kids had to get passes to skate but it was worth it as it was well maintained. We then took John out for his birthday dinner where he was so happy to be sung to by the waiters and waitresses-NOT.
We left Phoenix on Thursday and behind it the gorgeous hot weather. We are now in Sedona, AZ where the views are stunning but with 50 mile per hour winds this morning and temps in the 40's my parents are having a hard time adjusting being the Floridians they are. My dad is asking if we can skip the grand canyon and head to the south of AZ. I am assuring them it will be worth one day of frigid weather to see what God has made for their enjoyment. I hope this works or we will be heading south again. HA HA.
Yesterday I had a midwife appointment the last one until we hit Florida. Everything is fine and our little boy seems to be growing just fine. The midwife herself was pregnant with her fourth and was very accommodating to our travel situation. I really liked her and would use her to deliver this next baby if we would be hanging out in Sedona.
We took the kids to Slide Rock State Park yesterday. This is an 80 foot natural waterslide through the redrocks in Sedona. Needless to say I don't have to tell you how cold the water was. It was a beautiful area and Gabe really liked sliding down the rock. Bowie not so much and Jadon did it one time. Then we had to hit up the local skatepark. It was a really nice one and gets the vote for best backdrop. The landscape was to die for here.
Today we are headed to Williams AZ where tomorrow we will take the train to the Grand Canyon. We'll let you know how that turns out.

Arizona

Pictures are Gabe riding in the desert, Kids at the skatepark in Moab, Monument Valley, the dog for the day and Bowen on his 5th birthday.


From Moab Utah we drove south through Monument Valley and spent the night at a campground on the Navajo reservation. It was stunning with all the red rocks around and the huge rocks that formed the landscape. We inherited a stray dog for the night and oddly enough looked just like the stray John and I took home from our trip years ago. The kids loved playing with him, feeding him and taking him for walks. He even spent the night outside of our RV. They were sad to say to goodbye to him the next day but we prayed over him and hoped he would be protected in his nomadic life.
We made it to Flagsgtaff Arizona the day before Bowen's fifth birthday. It was a shock to have such cool weather in AZ. I had no idea it would only be in the 50's here. Bowen enjoyed his day with a cake, presents and a movie. Hard to believe how fast five years goes by.
Now we are home is in Phoenix. I was able to go see a friend of mine from graduate school last night. The first familiar person other than the family that I have seen since we left PA. But tomorrow my parents will arrive from Florida to spend the week hanging out with us. The kids are so excited I am not sure how they will get through this next day. We will be sightseeing in Sedona and the Grand Canyon.


Yesterday was our 100th day on the road. How exciting that DREAMS DO COME TRUE. We are at our 50th campground and we have driven over 8100 miles.