Top 10 of our Trip- # 3

3. Hikes.
I am in LOVE with mountains.  They are so beautiful and so fun to climb.  We started the climb up Mount Humphries, which is the left most peak in the picture that shows Uncle Dave's view from his porch.  The peak is at 12,000 feet, and we made it to 10,000.  Chris got altitude sickness so we had to get down, pronto.  The hike up and down the mountain is 10 miles round trip and we did 6 miles round trip.  Not bad for us being out of shape!
Later in the week some of us girls went into Sedona and climbed Bell Rock.  It is basically a huge rock in the shape of a bell.

A before Picture

One of the many beautiful views

Taking a break.  Our pup was a champ going up and down that mountain.

Before Picture

Everywhere we looked there was a beautiful view!

Last pic we took before we went down.
We were getting nervous about that storm rolling in- you can see it in the top left corner.

Top 10 of our Trip- #2

2. The Grand Canyon
It is so stinking beautiful.  Its a little different seeing it with kiddos, though.  Sometimes you just aren't so sure the railings are going to hold, or that they aren't going to run away and slip off!  But everyone made it safely back to their cars.

That is Chuck's finger up top.
G was holding me so tight in this pic!

My little poser.

Top 10 of our trip #1

So a little back story...
Back in January when I went to my dear grandfather's funeral, I was talking to my wonderful, eccentric uncle Dave.  He is the youngest brother of my mom, and of course was always the favorite uncle of ours.  A few years ago at Colleen's wedding he suggested the idea of house swapping and we talked about it again at the funeral.  We sort of came up with a plan for him to stay at my in-laws house in Napa while we all stayed at his house in Flagstaff!  So that will start off my list.

1. Uncle Dave's house.
Honestly, I think we got the better end of the deal.  He has a beautiful house with a porch that overlooks the mountains and 4 acres with a small zip-line, playground, sand box, and a small Frisbee golf course.  (not that my in-laws house isn't awesome, tho)

View from the porch

Backyard

Front of his house, with all of us crammed on the stairs!

A Sneak Peak of our Trip!

Rowles' Reunion

Summer Time, and the Living's Easy...

Could there be any better job than getting paid to do whatever you want during the summer?  It seriously makes up for all the stress of the school year.  We have been having a great, laid back summer so far.

Reading, reading, reading!

Splash Park

Hanging with cousins Madison and Taylor

Pretty much swimming everyday!

Bike Riding Fiend!

Slurpees and Swinging

Shopping at our fave store

Dressing up

I love the last picture because it shows some more freedom in our house.  We put all the girl's cups, plates, and bowls in a bottom drawer in the kitchen.  So whenever I get the "mommy, I'm thirsty" comment, they can now help themselves.  With a footstool I brought home from my classroom, they can drink water all day long!  This also helps with setting the table, and emptying the dishwasher.  They can do all of their own dishes!
Stay tuned for our big summer adventure, our road trip out to AZ.  I'm sure I will have lots of pictures and stories to blog about!

Swimmy

I signed the girls up for swim lessons as soon as school got out.  So we have been to the pool every weekday so far this summer!  They both amaze me.  G's teacher said to move her up a level next summer, as did Elia's teacher.  With lots of practice in between.

Diving Board Day

I like this picture because it shows that G can handle the older kids- they were all in the same class!

This was Elia's first time, so she was a little hesitant at first.

Here is a video of them playing in the "square" pool, as they call it.  This is at our public pool, and this year is the first where both girl's heads are above water in the deep end!  I think it goes up to 3 feet.  Here they are practicing their back floating.

Last Week of School

I write this long after, but I cannot believe the school year we have had!  I grew so much as a teacher, and it was so wonderfully unique to be able to see Gianna everyday.  Next year is going to be even better in that arena, with both girls at the new school!  And though this new school I'm going to is ah-ma-zing, I will miss Spears!  Here are some highlights of the last week:

I had 2 mystery readers- Gianna and Elia! they were the stars of my classroom.
My students wanted their autograph and everything.

Huddles will be missed!  In April, G got to dance on the stage.

Gianna's best buddy, Brandon.  I have never met a more sweet, enthusiastic kindergartner!
They shared a lunch table all year, so I got to know him pretty well.

My end of year gift.  All of my kiddos contributed summer stuff, and put it in this awesome beach bag- gift cards, coozies, beach balls, floaties and goggles for the girls, crafts, towels, flip flops, and more gift cards.  I was SO spoiled.

We did a measurement Olympics, and my class represented Ireland.

If you want to see more, you can see my class blog, Passing the Torch, which is located on the sidebar of this blog.
I am so blessed!