Memorial Day and Part 1 of Havasupai Trip

Catch up time!
Memorial Day-  Fun at the ol' cabin in Scofield.  The girls had a blast playing and playing and playing and we had a bon fire and spent time with our loved ones.

And to not forget that Memorial Day is far more than just getting together with family and having a barbecue--- I love and miss you dearly Vittoria, Grandma Theressa, Grandpa Garth, and Grandma Della & Grandpa James whom I did not get to know in this life.  You are ALL in my heart and thoughts often. Until we meet again...

Then bright and early on Memorial Day, Luke and I left for a trip with some friends. Our girls stayed at the cabin with Grandma and Grandpa Frandsen and then spent some time in Price and eventually in Castle Dale with Grandpa and Grandma Peacock.

Havasupai trip-- Part 1

Day one: Travel. From Scofield to Spanish Fork to meet the group. SF through St. George and Las Vegas to Supai, Arizona.

We crossed the Hoover Dam (never go across that on Memorial Day again if it can be avoided!) We drove on Route 66 :) and we listened to Harry Potter all the way. In our car were Luke and I and Spencer and James Anderson.  In the other car were Blake and Chantel Merrell, Meshell Nelson and Laura Thompson. 

At 7 pm we started our hike.  From the top at the parking lot down to the bottom of the mountain is about 1.5 miles. Then down a river bed mostly for another 6 miles.  

Day Two:

We camped over night before journeying the remainder of the way to the Supai Tribe's (Native American) Village to get our permits.   2more  miles to the camp ground.  - Total =10 miles. 

We set up camp and then spent the afternoon playing in Havasu Falls and the Evening in Mooney Falls.

Where we camped for the night

To the Village! 

Outside the village store: Blake, Chantel, James, Spencer

No Dogs Allowed on Patio- apparently he doesn't care what the sign says

What's everyone looking at?

oh! Waterfalls!!! (finally!!!!!)

New (post flash flood of 08) Navajo Falls

Havasu Falls

The Camp:  Luke's hammock is the green, Mary's the blue

Blake and Chantel's on the right and Meshell and Laura's on the left

Spencer and James were exile across the river running through our campsite

we had way too much fun with the floaty toys
The Guardians of the Camp

This is the end of part one-- the travel, the hike in, setting up camp.

Stay tuned for part 2-  Tuesday evening: playing in Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls.

Wednesday: Beaver Falls

Lots-ta Blog and Lotsa Pictures

Again I find myself behind on the bloggin'.  Life just happens too fast I guess.

First off- our friends sold us their bike trailer/jogging stroller combo for 20 bucks! First ride out definitely accomplished the desired results.  Even after Adelia woke up and I got her out Tianna snuggled in more and slept for 2 hours in it! haha

I need to include a picture of my new apron Luke gave me for Mother's Day. Apparently, he thought Tianna's didn't fit me well enough! I couldn't agree more!

And NEVER mess with a woman holding kitchen utensils! It's just not wise.

On the weekend of May 14th, Luke and I went on our first over-night adventure without either child in a REALLY long time. We went backpacking (a first for me) to test out our gear and equipment for our BIG trip we're taking to Havasupai, AZ next week. It was really really really fun. We left Friday night from Luke's parents house where the girls were staying and drove about an hour out to the middle of the desert. It was dark by the time we started our 2 mile hike in.

Notice how my hammock was actually on the ground!  : )
The first thing I saw when I pulled the sleeping bag off my face. BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

And added surprise to the scenery was our camp neighbors with their airplanes. It was really neat watching them take off and land throughout the whole day.

Day spent hiking, enjoying the gorgeous desert and good friends!

Luke had to go home to work but the girls and I stayed for a VERY special occasion on Monday night. My sister-in-law, Tori, has a dance studio and it was the annual recital. This alone was reason to stay since all of my nieces old enough to do so, take dance from Tori, but this year had 2 musical numbers dedicated to my sweet niece, Vittoria, who passed away 9 months ago on Sunday.  All of her cousins (and their mom's he were needed to help the younger ones) danced in the "Footprints in the Sand," by Leona Lewis number. It was incredible! A perfect tribute to Vittoria and her family.  That little girl LOVED to dance and is now free to dance to her heart's delight now in Heaven.  We miss you Vittoria!

This picture was also taken Sunday night. All the grandkids! PS-- Jason and Joy just found out they are expecting another little girl in October! That makes the gender ratio 12 to 1.  Good thing Jacomo can stand his own! He's such a BOY! 

Monday night after the dance recital we rode to SLC with James and Val and Tuesday we stayed at their house having a total girls-day-in (with Jacomo) as we watched movie after movie while we waited for Luke to get off work.  It was great!

Last Thursday, Tianna had her very last gymnastics class where the parents were invited to watch the kids "show off!"  She did such a great job and was ecstatic that I was there video taping.  She did all her tricks and hammed it up for the camera.  She was even a really good listener that day! :)  To top it all off she was awarded a certificate and a gold medal.  We wished Daddy could have been there to watch too.
(and sorry for a million pics of it--- but this is my only attempts at journaling and scrapbooking. Plus she's so darn cute we have to show her off! hehe)

Gymnastics was such a good experience for her.  It was good to have her interact with kids other than family and the ones she attends church with. Even if she doesn't become a master gymnast, this was worth every penny.  She improved a lot in her skills, but most importantly in her ability to follow the teacher's directions and to gain some self control as she waited her turn!  Love you Tianna and we're so proud of how hard you worked in gymnastics!