The Top 10 of our Trip- #6

6. Slide Rock
 This event was probably the most exciting for the family.  There is a state park called Slide Rock very close to Sedona.  There is a small river that runs through lots of rocks, creating some natural slides and lots of rock drop offs to jump from.  Water Shoes are a must.  Without them, you WILL slip and fall.  Even with them it is easy to fall.  Chris fell once and landed on his elbow.  He developed Bursitis from it and still has a HUGE bruise a week and a half later.  (we also spent a good portion of our anniversary at Urgent Care to get it checked out)  Besides the slipping and falling, everyone had a blast!

Sun Bathing.  The water was COLD!!

Sliding

Small Jumping

Tall Jumping

So proud of G here!

Elia and Chris jumped from the rock later, as did I.  It was scary, and COLD!  But so, so fun.

Top 10 of our Trip- #4

4. Spelunking
This was definitely not a top on my list, but the girls LOVED it, and after all this blog is for them, right?  We decided to do an all family hike, and Aunt Jenny found this "kid-friendly" hike that is about a mile round trip through a cave.  Ya'll, I am claustrophobic.  I've never really had a chance to get over my fear of small spaces because, well, I just don't go in caves, small places or even my beloved StL arch.  When we parked, I thought I could muster up the courage to go in there with the girls.  They were so excited about it, and kept talking about finding crystals etc.

This is the opening of the cave.  This picture does not lie.  Would you go in there?

Apparently, the entrance is the hardest part of the whole hike, and most of the cave was pretty open afterwards.  I could not go in.  I cried  tried, but I just couldn't do it!  So I sort of hiked around the area while my babies walked further and further into the death-trap cave.  They all came out safely and they loved it all!  So glad they could have fun.

Inside.  See?  Not scary!

Emerging.  Did I mention it was 30 degrees in there?

Later that day, I took Daria out for a run through my Uncle's gorgeous neighborhood and almost got mauled by 2 neighbor dogs.  I think that was just not my day.  But hey, I'll take one bad day among 9 glorious other days!!

A Week without the Girls

After our fun filled camping trip in Colorado, Grandma took Gianna and Elia back to California with them for a week so that I could get work done to prepare for this upcoming school year.  Chris and I drove 17 hours back to Dallas from Grand Junction, CO on Sunday.  Then, while I went to boring trainings and made my classroom look awesome here in Dallas...
 

Leveling and categorizing my library took me all day Saturday!

The girls had a blast hanging out with the Rowles!  I got an iphone (finally!) and so we were able to share pics and of course facetime every day!

Aunties and cousins

Gianna is channeling her inner Gabby Douglas

Crafty stuff

I wasn't at school every waking minute while they were gone, so I managed to surprise them with some crate chairs for the playroom.  Of course I found it on pinterest, and it was surprisingly easy.  Chris and I managed to get out for a few dates too!

Bedtime story.  Elia conked out while I was reading a Care Bears book.  So happy to have them back!

Camping in CO Photo Dump 2

The day before we left, we went on a hike near our campsite.  There was a trailhead just a 2 minute walk away.

Dead trees from that beetle

Elia being the trail leader.  That is definitely an action shot of me looking for
Poison Oak, which thank the good Lord we did not touch any!

Chis switched out little girls in the 1 backpack so they could go longer.

Near a beautiful waterfall.

My pretty pretty little girl.

I found a recipe on pinterest on how to make just 2 cupcakes and Grandma found a tutorial
online on how to bake cake in hollowed out oranges.  Happy Birthday to Chirs!

Chris ate one bite and the girls devoured the rest!

Leaving our camp, this is the view.  Gorgeous!

Camping in CO Photo Dump 1

This car was packed!

Hot chocolate, the only and best way to start the day!

Hanging with cousins

Watching for bears

Cousin Love

Probably my 2 fave action pics

Fishing

Telling scary stories!

Family Picture by the fire

Bug hunt in our jammies.

More to come...

California: Park and the City

I took one picture of the kids the whole day Wednesday, and it sure is a beauty!

Aunt Jenny braided G's hair

We took the cousins to the park with Aunt Cathy and her 2 little ones (they are G and E's second cousins).  For dinner all the adults went into San Fransisco for dinner.  We went to Q, which was featured on Guy Fieri's show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  We could have just eaten the appetizers and been completely satisfied, but I went ahead and got the Duck Confit, and it did not disappoint!  I don't think I had ever had duck before but it was so, so good!  I'm so mad I didnt take any pics!
Afterwards Chris and I picked Matt and Sarah up from the SF airport.

The most amazing dessert ever! 

Rowles-Alba Visit

Gianna told me tonight that she misses Phoebe and Gabby. It was so sad. We really had a great weekend!

The engaged couple graduated!

We pretty much loved on that sweet baby all weekend.

Chris put up a tire swing, and it was a huge hit. Phoebe didn't want to get off!

Till we told her it was bath time:

Half of Grandma's kids were in town in one weekend! Don't know when thats going to happen again.

Grandma is coming back next weekend for a conference. Megan and family will be here too so it will be a full house again!