Grand Canyon and Mesquite

 We had Thanksgiving week off so we headed down to Utah, picked up Natali and headed to the Grand Canyon.  We drove two cars down so we could leave one with Natali.  After a night in Kanab we parked the CRV in a church parking lot, piled in the van and headed to the Canyon.

The views were amazing but the kids were getting restless so we had to get a little silly.  I made the kids pick different photo poses every time we got out of the car.

We walked around and did a bit of hiking but mostly we just drove around and enjoyed the amazing views.  So incredible.

We threw a lot of rocks over the edge to see if we could hear them land.

We had some issues with porta potties - long lines to use overflowing potties, toilets with piles of poop on the seat, lots of holding it for the next one; but we survived.

Andrew was a disapointed not to view any wild life; I kept reminding him that was not the point of going to the Grand Canyon.

We drove back to the car and no one complained about a little more wiggle room for the 3 hour drive to Mesquite.

Then the cousin time began.  The big kids had such a blast with McClain.  They spend hours shooting McClain's guns (especially his homemade potato gun), playing games, and just laughing together.

We had an awesome hike on top of the mesa.  Greg, Brad, Neelie and I decided to hike down to the car.  Everyone else drove down and went home while we kept walking. Somehow we managed to get lost and what we thought would be a two mile walk turned into a 5 or 6 mile meander.  By the time we got to the van I think we had walked over 10 miles.  I got a bit of a sunburn but I loved the time talking with Neelie so all worth it.

Lily loved her papa time and gave him a few foot rubs.

The girls hardly left the twins side; making videos, choreographing performances, playing games, crafting, and baking.

In order to keep Nani down I made as much of Thanksgiving dinner as I could.  I baked rolls at her neighbors house, going back and forth and back and forth till all 4 dozen rolls were done.  The pie crusts were a bit suspicious but it all worked out and we feasted.  The kids loved their cousin time, especially Mack and McClain, but we had to head home.  Natali stayed behind to help grandma decorate for Christmas and just enjoy some one on one time with Grandma and Papa.  We said goodbye to everyone and the CRV and made the trek to Park City for a night with cousins and then home the next day.

50th State!!!

Covid has definitely put a wrench in Greg's travel style.  He had a big trip in the works for our 20th anniversary but...yea Covid so when I scheduled my sister's trip he decided to redirect my flight on the way home to Charleston for a weekend away together.  South Carolina was my 50th state so it was a pretty big deal.  The morning I left Denver Greg texted from the tarmac that there were snow delays.  The outlook got worse and worse - chances of me spending a few days alone in Charleston was looking high.  Miraclulously, he got to town 15 minutes before our dinner reservation.  So blessed.  We stayed at this adorable inn and enjoyed some fine dinning both nights we were there.

This was Husk, our restaurant the first night.  Yummy.  We also ate at Fig which was really fabulous.  we also indulged in some amazing coconut cake and incredible BBQ.  

Our first morning we took a historic walking tour.  It was so fabulous.  The city really is incredible.  I hadn't realized the depth of history nor the number of original structures.  It was like steping back in time.  I soaked it up.  These colorful buildings are from aptly named Rainbow Row.

I loved the vines growing on these steps and the lemon trees. Of course I didn't take very many pictures although I did send Natali a bunch of Marco Polos to share the architecture with her.

The famous pineapple- symbol of southern hospitality.

So many cool old churches and cemeteries.  I loved this tower that seemed to have dragon scale siding.

We checked out of our room the next morning and visited a beautiful beach.  There was a group of school kids playing on the sand - their school butted right up to the beach.  How cool would it be to have recess on the beach?

Then we went to the Middleton Plantation.  The gardens were amazing, not to mention the remaining buildings and the river views. We saw a handful of alligators, an exteremly long snake, a bunch of turtles and cool fish jumping.  We may have sent Andrew a lot of videos at school that day.

I loved our time there and we only got rained on in the last 10 minutes as we ran through the gardens to our rental car.  Then off to the airport for me and a long drive to North Carolina for Greg to start his work trip.  It was so wonderful to have a few days away from the kids just enjoying Greg's company, good food, an amazing city and a huge milestone.

Sisters Trip

 Sometime in October my sisters and I were texting and decided we were overdue for time together.  So in spite of Covid we all booked flights and met in Denver for the weekend.  We enjoyed good food, great hiking, perfect weather, and hours and hours of chatting.

Our trip overlapped with the delayed election results-much to Val and Mel's disapointment there was lots of discussion about politics. Relationships were the other hot topic of the weekend. The Garden of the Gods was amazing.  I loved seeing the different rock formations and all the brave climbers going straight up the sides. 

For our second day we drove out to the Flat Irons.  It was a different feel for sure and the occational steep incline was a bit annoying with our masks on but worth the views.

We stopped at a chocolate shop on the way home and all picked two flavors.  It was so fun to try little bites of each one.  I never would have picked some of those flavors but it was an adventure to branch out.  The chocolates were almost too beautiful to eat.  I am so grateful for my four amazing sisters.  Like the chocolates we are all similar in such wondreful ways but unique through our own experiences and personalities.  I am so blessed to know I always have these amazing women in my corner.