Memorial Day Camping

For Memorial Day weekend Chris was able to get the weekend (and then some) off! We packed up Saturday morning and drove up north to beat the heat! We found a nice camp area in Kelly Canyon (near Flagstaff). We enjoyed tall trees, cool breezes, camp fires, smores, forts, naps in the shade, hikes and creeks, and of course good food!

Emma loves being outside, so do the other kids.

Emma rode in the hiking backpack and she loved it! We actually would just put her in it and let her sit there while we did other things like build awesome forts!

This was Kaylee's first fort, and she did great! Dad built the frame with Kaylee's input and guidance, and Kaylee gathered pine needles and placed them as high as she could reach.

Kaylee was all ready to sleep in her fort over night, until it got dark, and then she got scared...(we kind of knew that would happen) So she slept in the tent with us in the end!

It took us awhile to find the path, but we found a trail down to the bottom of Kelly Canyon where there was a small creek.

We showed the kids how to skip rocks, but they mostly enjoyed throwing sticks in the creek to see if they floated.

One of our small propane tanks ran out, so we ended up building a small fire and grilling our chicken over the hot coals. Dad showed Kaylee how to start a fire, keep it going, and even how to cook the chicken. Here she is basting the chicken in bar-b-q sauce.

A little cramped on the table (we left the other table at home), enjoying our dinner! It was a great trip, very relaxing, and we can't wait to do it again soon!

Trains, Birthdays, and Easter!

This past weekend was super busy, but packed with fun! We celebrated Crew's 3rd birthday a little early because we knew Chris would be in town. We drove up to Williams, AZ and boarded the Grand Canyon Railroad, and traveled to the Grand Canyon! As you can tell, it was a little chilly, but it was so beautiful! There was snow on the ground and you know the kids loved that!

Here we all are, Emma is hiding under my nice and warm vest!

Yes, the edge of the canyon is right there! This man behind me was like, "You are one brave mom!" No, my kids are just nuts! We hiked a paved trail along the rim of the canyon, and there were several nice lookouts. You could see clear down to the bottom of the canyon. We saw the Colorado River, and a few lone houses down there.

This was on the train ride back. We all took a nice nap this time. It was a neat experience to do this, and we are going to go back during Christmas time to ride the Polar Express!

This isn't the actual train that pulled us, it's just an older looking engine that was back in Williams. The train that we rode was built back in the 1950's I believe. We got a history lesson on the way to the Grand Canyon, but I wasn't paying too much attention, I was looking out the window! hehe..

My dear friend Jaymie made these wonderful Thomas the Train cupcakes for Crew's birthday. They were amazing! She can create cupcakes for any occasion, you should check out her blog!

We got home the day before Easter, so we were able to spend Easter with my family. The kids loved searching for eggs, and eating candy of course! We also celebrated my birthday as well. It was a fun weekend, and we are so greatful for the Savior and for the Atonement. We are so blessed to have all that we do, and we are eternally greatful.

Vegas Baby!!

Literally... I went to Vegas go to a Baby Shower!! The other day I got to fly (first time in over 6 years) to Vegas to see my friend Marta. She and her husband, Chris (my Chris' best buddy) are having their first baby in November. We are super excited for them, and I didn't want to miss her first shower. It was a short trip (just one night), but we still managed to pack in alot of fun stuff. We ate some really good food (what else do pregnant women do?), we got mani/pedi's, and spent a lovely evening with her friends for her shower.

This trip felt sort of like my last hurr-ah before the baby comes. I wont be doing any traveling all by myself once she's made her grand entrance. It was nice to wake up on my own in the morning, and it was also nice not having to constantly remind kids to behave. I have to admit though, that I still missed the little buggers! I think that's just part of being a mom... it never leaves you!

We are so happy for our friends Chris and Marta, you guys will be amazing parents! We can't wait to finally meet little baby girl Tyler!

Grand Canyon 2009

This past weekend we took a trip to the Grand Canyon at North Timp Point. We spend 5 days and 4 nights on the edge of the canyon. It was so fun, I could seriously live out there! But you would have to bring me a toilet and shower! Our kids thrive in the wilderness, and I love that they are never bored, even when there aren't any toys to play with. I was a dork, and didn't really take too many pictures of the trip, but here are some of my favorites of the ones I did take.

Dirty faces!

Chris hates it when I try to take a picture of us like this... so of course he tries to turn away! We had a great time!

We almost had all the kids together at one time. Laura and Jessie's kids were sick so they left early... and Crew is not pictured here cause he was sleeping. This was in the awesome fort that the kids made, but mostly Sara and Amanda constructed.

Crew loved playing in the dirt with all the trucks and cars. He also loved playing with his little cousins on the trailer.

Kaylee rode a little 50 motorcycle with training wheels on it. She did great! I think we might have to get one of these!

I also went on a 3 mile hike with my mom and dad, brother and his son, Kaylee and Elyza. It was so fun, the kids had a great time walking and running together. The Grand Canyon is an amazing place to visit, I highly recommend it to everyone!

Fishing and Petroglyphs

Last Friday the kids and I drove up to Sedona to spend the night at the cabin and to do some fishing. I knew that we were going fishing, but I didn't know Chris had planned for us to do a little hiking too. Kaylee was still wearing her school tennis shoes, but Crew and I just brought flip flops. It was difficult in some spots, especially since Crew can't walk that fast, and we had to carry him over alot of stuff, but the pay-off was worth it.

Chris would get the fish hooked on the line and let the kids reel them in. They loved catching them and looking at them, but they refused to hold the fish to release it. It was really funny.

After hiking along the creek for awhile Chris took us to some petroglyphs.

They were amazing! I don't think too many people know about them cause they are so hard to get to.

So the last spot we were at, Chris was getting some good size fish, and Crew kept creeping closer and closer to the edge of the creek. I told Chris to keep an eye on him cause he could slip in really easily especially with those flip flops on! And sure enough...SPLASH!

Crew took a dive into the creek. Chris jumped in (it wasn't that deep, up to Chris' knees maybe) and pulled him out. He was ok, just scared and wet. We were about 1/2 mile from the truck and I decided that I would take Crew back to the truck and Chris and Kaylee could continue fishing.

It was a long walk back trying to hold Crew and his wet clothes and in flip flops to say the least! The trip was great, and definitely memorable!

Summer Vacay in Utah

This year I took the kids on a trip up to Utah to see several family members and old friends. Our first stop was in St. George. We spent a couple days with family; enjoying Becca's sister's pool, "So You Think You Can Dance" night, and Alan's birthday.

Here is Crew swimming, he's a regular fish.

Kaylee is my little dare-devil! She had no hesitation to jump right off of the cliff jump. Me on the other hand, it took me like 5 min. to get enough guts!

Kaylee and her fav cuz, Elyza... they get along so great!



Our next stop on our trip was to Wellsville to see my grandma and Keith. We went to the American West Heritage Center on Pioneer Day. The kids loved seeing all the animals, and riding the pony's.

At the Leishman Family Reunion. Keith, Aunt Dorretta, and Grandma (Yes, they are twins!)

Crew enjoying all the fun activities of the Reunion.

Playing on the slip-n-slide at Grandma's house. The water was ICE COLD!! Brave little kids!

Enjoying the warm weather, and cool pool (not to mention the ice cream treats!) The pools in Utah are amazing, why can't the pools in Arizona be as nice!?

We went bowling with the kids. They did great! I don't know if you can see, but Crew beat everyone with a score of 103! He obviously got some skills from his mom!

The kids watching as the ball moved slowly down the lane. So cute!

Leaving Grandma and Keith's house. Thanks again for such an amazing week!

I got the opportunity to visit with an old friend from Chris and my college ward from when we lived in Utah. I hadn't seen her since her baby shower for her little girl who is now nearly 4! It was great to see you Catherine! Good luck with the preschool! I know you'll do an amazing job!

Our next stop was visiting Jamie in Tooele! She and her family are doing great. She gave me a tour of her town, and it's just so beautiful... I can't wait to visit again!

Silly pictures!

Kaylee blowing her first bubble! She only needed a piece of gum so big it could barely fit in her mouth! Good job girl!!

Swimming in the Tooele City Pool, again... what a nice facility!! So jealous!!

Me and Kaylee enjoying the day!

Jamie took us to her dad's house where we got to ride a horse! The kids were so happy, and I even got to try it out. It was so fun!

Memory Grove Park in SLC, waiting with the kids while Jamie did her magic of photography for a bride to be. I tried with my little camera to take some cute shots.. these were all I could get.

Obviously Alayna knows how to do the cute "serious" pose. How cute are these two!?

We drove from Tooele back to St. George for another couple nights where we went swimming again...seriously what else is there to do? Then we made our way back to Phoenix. We had such great time on our trip, and thank you so much to everyone that let us crash with you, you know you are always welcome in our home too!