Seeing Arizona

Over the past month or so, I have had the opportunity to see so much of our Arizona landscape that I rarely ever take the opportunity to do.  After racing in Sedona in early February then running the Ragnar a couple weeks ago from Wickenburg to Tonapah to Surprise to New River to Carefree to Fountain Hills to Scottsdale to Tempe, I was reminded that our beautiful state has a lot to offer.  And our kiddos haven't seen much of it!  And we are all Arizona natives, dang it.

So I picked up one of these beauties today.  It's the America the Beautiful Annual Pass and our family's ticket to exploring some amazing national parks and monuments.  


I am excited for Spring Break. We're busting out of the Brown family norm and doing something new.  We thought it would be a great opportunity to take our kids to some places they've never been and give them a dose of some good old Arizona culture.  We debated about going South or North, driving or taking a train, but the North via car won for this trip.  Next time it will be Kartchner Caverns and Tombstone.  And I still want to take the train from Williams to the South Rim.  Another time, though.


For this quick 3-day adventure, I've done my homework and made a list and mapped out what I hope to be a fun-filled trip across Northern Arizona.  I remember visiting a lot of these places in my 6th grade ELP trip and/or summer vacations with my grandparents.  So far, here's our plan:

• Head out Thursday morning and visit Montezuma's Castle
• Hike into Montezuma's Well and picnic there
• Drive to the Grand Canyon and stay Thursday night at the South Rim (luckily I found us a room there so we won't be camping!)
• Take a family friendly rim hike and explore the beauties of the canyon.  Get Barrett really pumped up to do the Rim2Rim with us in September (woot!  woot!).  Eat some Hagen Daaz. Take lots of pics.  Start to indoctrinate the kiddos that hiking is fun! Buy souveniers :)
• Drive to Flagstaff on Friday afternoon and visit Sunset Crater National Monument and Waputki National Monuments
• Tour the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Friday night and have some cool star gazing experiences with their giant telescopes
• Spend Friday night in Flag
• Drive through Williams, AZ on Saturday and check out some cool historical sites, lunch there OR go to Camp Verde and do the Out of Africa Park 

Yay for something new!  Yay for new memories and cool cultural experiences and good family time.  I am excited.  I hope the kids are too - hard to tell, since they have no reference point on this one and no idea what to expect.  They are used to the beach or snow or camping or cabin (all of which actually sound pretty fun right now too).  I think I am itching for a little vaca.

What We Do

I carved a few minutes out of my day and caught up on some good blogs I love.  It's been a month I think since I've logged in.  I've missed the reads.  Lots of inspiration, lots of things to relate to.  Some new ideas now forming in my already packed brain and some new goals for next week.  I think it's fantastic that we write and share and think and struggle and succeed together.  Thanks to my blogging sistas for your inspiration.

It's been a great and busy month for our crew.  We somehow managed to get away to Colorado for our week of skiing after working our tails off and burning the midnight oil the entire week before.  It seems like we have to work double time in order to take vacation, and then work double time catching up when we get back.  Crazy how that works.  But it's always that way with us, especially being dual-career parents and running a business.  But it was so worth it.

Our week in the cold country was wonderful.  Truly, it was the best of both worlds spending the first half of the week with our kiddos on the slopes, creating amazing memories, then skiing the last half with our friends.  I was completely beaming with joy as I watched our two littles cruise down the slopes at full speed on their second day.  They learn so fast.  And the big girls - wow, was I impressed.  This is only their second year skiing and they did so great.  Ryan and I talked a lot about all the fun years ahead we're going to have with our kids.  They are at such fun ages and I know it's just going to keep getting better.  Anyway, the kiddos flew home with Grandma Cindy on Wednesday after being with us in Beaver Creek for 5 days, and then we picked up our good friends, the Binghams, who stayed with us the last three days.  And that was a total blast too.  I can't remember the last time I laughed so much.  The skiing was great.  I did the superpipe 5 times (scary) and played in the terrain park at Copper Mountain all afternoon one day.  Yes, I am a big 40 year old kid.  And I loved it.

I have tons of great pics to share (some already posted on FB), and sometime they might actually make in on this blog.  We'll see.  But suffice it to say that the vaca was nothing short of perfect.  The condo was amazing, the weather was great, the company was unbeatable.

Now we're getting ready for another cool experience.  Ryan and I are leaving tomorrow for Sedona so that I can run in the Sedona Half Marathon. I'm excited and a little nervous for the hills and the elevation.  Looking forward to the time with Ry and the amazing scenery on the runs and the opportunity to chalk up another life experience.  I've been running in the cold and chalking up the miles. Wearing down my treads.  Loving life.  Last night I went running after work, which is not my norm (I'm usually the crack of dawn girl), but since Barrett had her ortho appt at 7:00 yesterday, that was my only option.  It was fun running with Rowan alongside on her bike, keeping me company.  She's so dang cute.  I just wonder what she'll be like when she grows up.  She's excited about ball season, but truly, I don't sense the same "drive" with her as I see with the others.  Maybe it's just too early to tell.  She really wants to do gymnastics and maybe I should just give in and sign her up already.  She'd probably be fantastic with that cute little athletic build and all.

I threw BP to all four kiddos on Tuesday afternoon at the retention basin.  Spring ball is upon us and it's time to get ready.  I must admit that I was really proud of all of them.  They are hitting the ball so well, especially the big girls.  But so was Easton.  This is his first year playing on a team - I hope it goes well.  We still need to play a lot of catch and break in his glove some more.  It's going to be another busy spring for sure with four kids on four team playing 2 games a week at 3 different parks.  But that's just what we do, right?

Just Like Old Times

Not too many people are lucky enough to grow up on the same street with their cousins, let alone live in the same state with almost every single one of them and know them all - and know them well.  So I count myself among the luckiest.

I can't remember how many times I've told my kids stories about growing up on the farm, living on the corner of Harris and Hermosa Vista and always having my cousins around to play with in the summertime.  I have a lot of stories.  A lot of fond memories.  Well...this fall break was all about rekindling the best friendships with so many cousins and friends.  I was thrilled that our kids not only had a blast (as usual) hanging out with their first cousins that we see all the time, but that they also got to know and love their second cousins, the Chesleys, who came and spent the week with us.  What a blast - for me too!  Jules and I talked and laughed more than we have in years.  It was such a good time catching up and just enjoying a week of relaxation.  We are already looking forward to next year.

Tanner, Afton & Ty (they spent a lot of time playing at the beach - boogie boarding, paddle ball, football, long boarding)

Dad and Mom just chillaxing

The whole Chesley crew:  Taylor, Jules, Loren, Wyatt, Ty & Kylie

This is pretty much what Ryan did every day.  Just chilled.  Not too much else he could do on the beach with that cast.  So he read a lot and enjoyed the fabulous beach weather.  We only had one cool day all week and the rest of the week was totally clear and sunny.  Loved it, and loved getting a little October tan!  And I enjoyed reading and sleeping in and eating a lot...and oh, I loved the runs in the fantastic weather at sea level.  I had a 24-mile week and my Saturday long at the beach was an 11-miler, so I got to run through some super nice neighborhoods in Luecadia and check out the killer beach houses.  It was pretty sweet.

Easton was always busy at the beach.  I cracked up when he told me this fort was his "man cave."  I asked him where in the world he heard that expression, and he said, "Bryant told me."  Nice.

Speaking of Bryant, this may be the last fall break beach trip for Bryant since he'll be graduating in May and starting college next fall.  Holy cow, time flies too fast.

What cute girls we have!  Kylie, Taylor, Afton, Barrett & Randi

So glad the Berrey's came again this year too.  

(Afty & Lily playing in the sand)

Rowan and mom

Randi & Barrett

Wyatt

Molly Girl & Row

We also celebrated Barrett's 13th and Tate's 7th and Jayme's 34th birthdays while we were there (they all share October 13th). We started the celebrating early that day with an impromptu donut party at 8:00 am.  Loved the Luecadia Donuts and loved seeing the smiles on our kids.

Katy, Barrett & Randi

Barrett's friend, Katy Anderson, and her family also joined us at the beach for their first ever camping experience.  Not just first beach camping, but first camping.  Ever.  As in never ever before camped.  But they loved it and said they had a blast.  Katy's mom and I (both of us named Kelli) conspired and surprised our girls with Taylor Swift tickets for Barrett's birthday.  We just went Friday night to the show and it was so amazing.  A whole separate post about that to come...

My always-creative Afty Cakes made a sand/rock turtle at the beach.  I so love her and all the cool things she creates.

Buddy spent tons of time in the water after discovering this summer how much he loves to boogie board.

Trey & Rowan also rekindled their BFF relationship this trip. They spent so much time playing together and Trey got to stay over an extra day and hang with us when his family went home on Saturday morning.

Good times in Cali...again.  I love my family and loved our time together this year.

A few more Carlsbad pics

Rowan & Lainey

Give the boy a little dirt, a little water and a shovel and he's in heaven.

Tallin rocked his wetsuit most of the week we were there. I can't believe I actually caught a picture of him without it on!

Avery & Afty Cakes

My two handsome nephews, Trey & Chase heard there were 'smores so they crashed our camp too.

I think we had 'smores three nights in a row (until all the graham crackers, chocolate & marshmellows were consumed by all the kids). They love that!

Our friend and Shari's brother, Dave Lee, who lives in San Clemente came and beached with us one day with his family. It was good seeing him again for sure.

Cousins Avery & Afton getting a tan (10 years old and fabulous!)

Cabin Summer Finale

We were on the schedule to spend one more summer weekend at the cabin before school started (July 29-31). But for some reason, I was having a hard time committing to go. Maybe it was the fact that Ryan wasn't going with us (he was still on his boys backpacking trip), or maybe it was that we'd been in limbo with my Grandpa Harry for a couple of weeks, not knowing how much longer he'd hold on. Or maybe I was just "tripped out" from all the packing and unpacking and laundry, etc. from the summer travels. I don't know. But I am so glad that we went. So glad. It was really a nice, relaxing weekend. Fantastic weather. Great family time. And the kids had a blast with their cousins, as always!

Barrett, Easton, Molly Johnson, Rowan, Afton, Avery Brown, Lily & Ella Berrey, & Lainey Brown playing down at the creek. Rock hopping, bug collecting, exploring, dreaming...Just like I used to do. But many of the Pine Creek memories of my youth revolve around water. Too bad it seems like the creek is dry so often these days. Every time we round the bend just before the big tree with all the family name signs leading to the cabin, my kids excitedly ask, "Is there any water in the creek?" They love that creek, wet or dry, and seem to find countless hours of joy down there every time we go. Reminds me of someone I know...

I'm not sure what Buddy was spitting at - maybe a butterfly or june bug or just a little old fly. He cracks me up.

Tough duty being a kid...

My cousin, Corinne, with baby Reid (named after my Grandpa Reid of course), strolling down Walnut Lane in front of the cabin. We love the Berreys and are so glad they came up to play with us.

I took the kids up the mountain to hike the trail on Saturday afternoon. They all did great (well, except for the two that decided to turn around and come back before we really even made it 100 feet).

(Avery, Lily, Afton & Riley)

Afton & Avery with the snail collection. I'd say it was cool, but honestly, I think those little suckers are just super gross. The kids were loving the rain we had, since it made the ground nice and juicy and ripe to dig up slugs and snails and worms. Pretty much kid heaven I suppose.

Easton & I had fun making a domino trail after we played a game of Mexican Trains. He's actually pretty good for a 5-year old. And too funny...his giggle is truly contagious.

Grandpa Steve made his famous home made ice cream again (both Friday and Saturday night). I think we should make that a cabin tradition (hint, hint...) After busting out the ice cream maker over the July 4th weekend, I've been thinking about that delicious homemade concoction a lot. There's nothing quite like homemade vanilla. Grandma Cindy whipped up the delish recipe and Grandpa did the churning. Well, it wasn't hand cranking like in the olden days, but he babysat the batch, kept it iced up, and gave Easton a chance to work alongside his grandpa. I loved having home made ice cream growing up - especially with the Mexican vanilla - and nothing's really changed about that. My mom & dad are still pros.

Good times at the cabin...once again! I'm not sure if we'll make it back over Labor Day or not (we may take the kids camping) and since Fall Ball is starting in a few weeks, our Saturdays will be busy for the next couple of months. So I don't know when we'll be back. Hopefully soon.

Flying High

I think that's a good theme for our last cabin weekend. Flying High. Or in my case, maybe just flying. I figured I'm was still so young at heart...never too old to give the tree swing a whirl, right? I guess I forgot that it's different swinging from a tree when you're not 60 pounds and on the elementary school playground. I thought my arms might come out of their sockets. But it was still super fun. Thanks, Mike, for rigging it up for us. Hours of fun for the peeps for sure!

My super cool 17-year old nephew, Bryant

My other super cool 11-year old nephew, The Tan Man

Afty Cakes

Buddy Boy

Oh, and then there was the rope swing at the Verde River. Go Tanner!

And then there was the flying off the rocks...this is Hallie & Barrett

(Barrett & Tannerino)

Afton & Syd

Afton, Hallie & Syd Bauer, Amy Garner, Barrett, Tanner & Drew

And then there was more flying high when Uncle Mike hooked up the tree climbing harness. Rowan loves that thing and is usually the first to head up as the "test" climber since she's still such a peanut.

Love this place. Such good times. Can't wait to see you again this weekend!