Spring Break - Phoenix, Sedona and More!

Perfect timing- Gracie had a class assignment to write about our trip.   She captured it so well.    The following is her take on it.

A Memorable Trip

I was in a deep sleep and then the ringing of my alarm sounded. It was early in the morning, I think around 3:00 A.M., and time to fly to Arizona. This trip is probably my favorite trip I’ve ever had with my family. Once we got to Arizona, we were able to see friends, eat at really good restaurants, see a slot canyon, see Horseshoe Bend, see the Grand Canyon, hike to Devils Bridge, and more!

It was an early morning!  

Have Eeyore will travel!

ready to land!

Some friends I hadn't seen in what felt like forever live in Arizona, so we got spend time with them. While we were spending time with them we went to their church, swam in a pool, went on a boat, and hiked up a rock. The first weekend we were there we went to Good News Church, the church we went to is actually one they started, so it was fun to finally get to see it. After church, we went to the house my family was renting and swam in a unique pool. The rock we hiked up was a huge gorgeous red rock. When we got to the top there was a huge opening which looked out over part of Phoenix. The rock’s name is Hole In The Rock, but we call it the donut rock because from the ground the big opening makes it look like the shape of a donut. That week we went to other parts of Arizona and then the next weekend went back to Phoenix to see our friends, the Simpsons, one last time. That weekend we went on a boat with them, had homemade tamales, went kayaking, and had a wonderful time with them.

Mommy addition:    We wanted to take the girls to the Arizona Biltmore Hotel at some point while we were in town.  We had a fabulous time when we were there for Jimmy's reward trip two years ago.   It provided so much relaxation and the food is wonderful.   We spent a few hours wandering around and eating before we met up with Thomas and Mika. 

Stunning hotel and views! 

While Gracie and Jimmy rested I took make around the grounds to explore. 

a little sun and rest! 

Hole in the Rock- Pappago Park 

Maggie and Reynah!  These two have such a sweet relationship.  They pick up right where they left off as if no time has passed, just like their parents! 

These two guys are what began years of friendship. 

Sunday pics!  

Arizona had so many magnificent things to see and experience. The first restaurant we ate at in Sedona was Mariposa. The food was really fancy, and the view from the restaurant was miles upon miles of tall red rocks. After we ate at that restaurant we did a jeep tour. The jeep tour was very bumpy but displayed stunning views of Sedona. The tour started early in the evening and ended at sunset. Once we got to the top of the red rock the jeep stopped and we were able to get out and take amazing pictures. I didn’t think the jeep tour would be fun but it was actually amazing.

All checked into the house in Sedona for the week. 

best lunch and view ever!

a very bumpy ride!  Hanging on tight! 

The more bumpy the better for this girl!  

Every morning in Sedona I woke up to an amazing view of the red rocks. Once everyone was up we got ready and went on a long car ride, the car ride was not bad because there was amazing scenery the whole way, including snow cap mountains. Once we got to where we were going, we met a few other families and boarded a small open air bus to begin our tour. We road with people in that bus all the way to a slot canyon on dumpy dirt paths and dirt roads. The slot canyon was better than I had imagined. The walls of the canyon were so high you could barely see the sky. Next, we went back on the bus and went to Horseshoe Bend. I could have spent hours there, it was calming and outstanding. It was a perfect day to do a slot canyon and Horseshoe Bend, not too cold, not too hot.   Mommy addition:   this day was one of our absolute favorites.  We could have spent a whole second day here exploring and taking in God's creation.  

Snow capped mountains 

middle of where we do not know. 

This was the route from Sedona each day to the different locations we were visiting.  Was not always good for those that have a potential to get car sick. 

Look close...who is sitting on the edge with Jimmy?   (hint... not  mama in this pic) 

This is Mama.... Gracie and I sure look alike! 

we did all kinds of hiking and climbing

Sleep, hammocks, coffee, breakfast, and a marvelous day. Once my sister and I woke up we both spent time in our hammocks. Once my parents were awake we had coffee, and then went to a spectacular breakfast place called the Coffee Pot. The Coffee Pot had amazing orange juice, really good french toast, and omelets. After breakfast, we went to the Grand Canyon. I was expecting it to be amazing like the rest of the trip, but I was disappointed. It was a cloudy day so it looked like a big grey rock mountain with a hint of red. 

o yeah!  It is a great way to start the day. 

they look a little extra luggage space but were so worth it!  

Grand Canyon! 

The next day it was sunny so we decided we were going to go on a hike. The hike we went on had a big bridge, the bridge’s name is Devils Bridge. The bridge is a big rock that stretches from one side to the other, with nothing under it. Once you get there, you can go on it and take pictures. After we took pictures, we hiked back to our car, drove to town, and explored the rest of the evening.

My first official hike! 

The girls did great on this hike!  But at one point were about over it. 

late night but a big dessert was in order!  

Mommy Addition:   the final day in Sedona we went had a low key day and ended it with horseback riding and a beautiful sunset dinner.   

the things this guy does for his ladies!  He does not really love horses let alone to be on them.  But he knew we all would love it and it would be an experience we would never forget. 

leading the way to dinner! 

a few last pics in Sedona before we haded back to Phoenix. 

Mommy addition:   on our way back to Phoenix we stopped in Scottsdale to see the Kaufamns (friends of my parents from Ohio who have a home there).   We enjoyed lunch, golfing, and then a stop at Baked Bear for yummy treats!    

Baked Bear - Ice Cream Sandwich place 

Mommy addition:  we finished in Phoenix with the Simpsons.  They are refreshing to our souls.   We never get as much time as we would like, but we ddi get a taste of what it would be like to live closer and be able to engage more frequently.  But we will have to settle for trips and text messages.  

a day on the lake 

all our kiddos!  What a blessing to be able to watch them all grow! 

Lunch was homemade authentic tamales.  

Back at the house the kids all swam while the parents enjoyed catching up.  

I would definitely go back to Arizona in a heartbeat. I wish I could have stayed there longer to enjoy more of the state. This trip was amazing and my family made so many memories, together and with friends. Although I have so many memories, my favorite memory is probably when we went to the slot canyon and Horseshoe Bend on the open air bus. The beautiful red rocks made me realize that there is more to God’s beauty than just the beach. The amazing food, scenery, people, and culture is what makes Arizona so remarkable.

Mommy addition:   for 13th birthdays we take a bigger trip to celebrate as a family.   Gracie had several options including Chicago, but when we suggested Arizona and she knew it included the Simpson family she was all in!  Happy birthday baby girl! 

Full filled trip.  We all felt this way getting up so early to fly back home. 

back home to reality but with lots of memories to hold close forever and this furry baby waiting for us.