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.