Sunday, December 1, 2013

Thanksgiving

I had the best time in Utah. I left Friday morning at 5:15. It was raining in AZ...and didn't stop until it turned to snow just outside of St. George.... and then after that mountain pass it all stopped. It really wasn't too bad. Not heavy rain or snow--but after 8 hours of that and the wind I was glad to be out of it. Got to my brother's and we had a nice dinner.
Saturday was DruCon-- a day of playing games, eating good food, and enjoying friend and family (that's how my brother likes to celebrate his birthday!!! and I had a great time!) I even got a swag gift-- a box to throw dice in-- and it came in very handy! Why I didn't take pictures...I'm not sure. But-- I got to see my friend Anji,(and got to know her nice husband a little better! YAY!) Darlene took my niece McK driving (I never did--drat!) Another fun day.
Sunday--church with Darlene and then a drive to Bountiful to see Becky and her family. We had a great visit.
Monday--Got to see my friend Emily, got the BEST massaage ever. 90 min. of peace and remembering another reason I should go to UT more often! Then to Porter's Place for Drew's birthday dinner-- sasperilla and a buffalo burger YUM!


Tuesday-- More time with Becky and then to Orem to see Jeanette. Love her! And we went to see Suseendra. Worked with these lovely ladies when I was in college. Life long friends! Then to Cafe Rio to see Darlene, Missy and Julianne!!! I seriously had the best college roommates ever! I love that we just pick up where we left off. (SO SAD I didn't get a picture of us!)
Wednesday-- Went to the temple with my family. We got to start the work for my Grandma! It was a special moment seeing McK do the baptism and Mir doing the confirmation. Love the Temple! Love eternal families!


Then we went to Bruges for waffles and hot chocolate! YUMMY!!!! I love that place... and it wasn't as far as I thought it was (Sugar House-- had plenty of seating Anji)
Then, we went to see Catching Fire!
Take note of Miranda's hair and shirt!

We love movie popcorn!
Thursday-- Thanksgiving!!! Had a wonderful time with the James Family. Such yummy food-- and good times!
Clarissa and Darlene -- Their Mom made the cute turkey aprons!


Graeme loved his turkey leg!!!
Family! (note that is the James family on the wall behind us :)

They are growing up! Wish I saw them more...must work on that.

Friday: took the kids pictures. Watched the new version of Much Ado About Nothing (other than being in black and white I liked it) 

Miranda --12


Graeme-- 9


McKenna --15







Ah-- real laughing smiles!! my favorite!
And that brings us to Saturday-- another 11 hours of driving, but no rain/snow. I love Utah!!!! (well the people in it the most!)

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Time of Thanks

I am loving my Arizona November weather! So beautiful. BUT--I'm kind of excited that it will be in the 40's in Utah next week!!! YAY! I get to go to UT for Thanksgiving. I am super excited. I really want to see some snow... not on my drive days, but at least some! This is my Winter fix! Have to stock up on my Stephen's Hot cocoa.

Work is getting busy again. Not crazy busy but enough that I am not a stresscase about work. We get to do a potluck on Thurs. I love potlucks. I'm making a cranberry jello salad.
Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! I am looking forward to the holidays. (Already have the Christmas station playing in my car!)


Monday, November 4, 2013

Havasupai Falls

AH!!! What a wonderful experience!!!
We left Sunday after church and stopped in Seligman, AZ. This town is on Route 66. Super small town and has this great motel. We were given the Harley Davidson room.

Monday morning we stopped here. (And Wednesday night too!) This place had the BEST FOOD EVER. And was just what you would want at a small town Cafe.

Hilltop-- or trail head. 

Yeah, not the best pic, but I had to take it. This is us starting out at about 9:30 Monday morning. It was crazy windy and pretty chilly. Thank goodness for layers!
Can you tell there has been progress? The first mile is extremely steep. We passed a lot of horses carrying loads of mail, bags, etc. This is the last place in the US that uses the Pony Express!!

Just what I thought the dry river bed of the Grand Canyon would look like. Technically not part of the National Grand Canyon..only because it is Native American land.


Village of Supai. Had to stop for Navajo Tacos!!! (Or is this Supai Tacos?) I LOVE fry bread. SO GOOD!!! After 8 miles it was so good to stop and eat... 2 more miles to the camp site.

Almost to camp site-- finally seeing the river that will make the falls. 



Last bridge before camp site. Really pretty river. Lots of Cottonwoods in this area.


Havasu Falls!!!! First view! (Still not to camp site.)
HOME! My tent-- and the river so close. It sure was nice to hear it at night. This is sunrise Tues. morning...after some rain in the night

Such a beautiful morning....

Yes, I was cold, but not too bad. Best part of camping when chilly? Hot chocolate for breakfast and dinner!!!

Mooney Falls. We didn't know how to get to the base..and then chickened out when we figured out how to get down there... another time.
Dad at Mooney Falls

Jen at Mooney Falls


Havasu Falls

I love that we were the only ones here at the time. Most people visit when it is warm so they can swim. I love the pictures and I loved that it was cool.

Panorama
Same area as Havasu Falls--just the little way away.

Dad's pictures are good too....

Sun finally greeting us.
River between Havasu and Mooney Falls-- and goes through campground.

See the picnic table in the back? People swim over there to have a place to sit. The water stays about 70* year round...why didn't I bring my suit?!
I think this is 50 Foot Falls....


Soaking up the day.
Reservation dogs were everywhere!! This little one scared me to death. He was looking over Mooney Falls and a gust of wind came... I thought he was a gonner!

The way to get down to Mooney Falls. The ladders, the little cave.... I need my anti-anxiety meds before I do that!
Campground river bridge

Love the rocks in the canyon... yes we are heading out!

I love my hiking poles! Couldn't have done this without them!

The red rock, the white clouds, the blue sky. I love this Land!
Seligman... no idea, but this place is GREAT!

Anyone seen the movie CARS? They drove Route 66 for inspiration... I think this was a place that inspired them for sure.
I really had a great time. I of course have LOTS more pics... Definitely checked something off my bucket list. THANKS DAD!!! Where to next?!