Slide Rock Az

Slide Rock Park in Sedona Az was a pit stop point for us on the way to the Grand Canyon.  I knew it would be a fun energy releasing place from sitting so long in our rental van.  I had no idea it would be one of my favorite trip memories.

First of all, it was a terrific warm sunny Arizona day.  The scenery was gorgeous with red rock cliffs and painted desert everywhere.  I wish a photograph could've captured the beauty. It was a water color painters' paradise. 

The park was a moderately challenging hike over and thru red rock formations that was punctuated by a fresh water nature made water rock slide. 

I was very surprised to learn that David wanted to try the rock water slide.  He isn't normally a thrill seeker. He convinced John to get into swim suits and brave the icy water to slide down the rock slide. John even jumped off the cliff into the water pool below. Caleb,Nathan, and I watched in amazement. It was difficult to get pictures and video since the terrain was rocky, uneven and a stream of water flowed through the middle. That isn't ideal for camera work. I was just hoping we all wouldn't slip and fall in. Luckily the younger boys took it slow and careful Noone needed to be rescued from a plunge. :) If you are ever in Arizona, I highly recommend the Sedona area. The Slide Rock Park was much fun and the painted desert drive was breath taking.

Sonoran Desert

Cactus is delicious!

After a L O N G drive from the California coast, we made it to our Sonoran Desert destination.

I, Jenny, just loved the amazing cactus filled landscape and the warmth of Arizona.  The red rock cliffs all around us were magestic.  How amazing (and dangerous) it must have been to live in this area during the gold rush days.

I was reminded of the roadrunner cartoons while there.  How the landscape was filled with long stretches of nothing but road and cactus, while the coyote chased the roadrunner.

Caleb was brave enough to handle and cut open a prickly pear cactus in order to sample its sweet and wet inside.  Later we had to pick needles outof his finger tips, but he thought it was worth the price.  We bought a jar of cactus jelly which made the best bagel breakfast! Yum.

The sun was relentless,but it was not winter there.  That was so welcome to us Wisconsinites.  The birds were singing early and often and the Juniper trees near us were fragrant.

I completely understand why someone would stay there thru the winter. 

Legoland

Legoland truely had something for everyone.  At ages 11,7,and 5 the boys were thrilled with the rides, lego sculptures and hands on lego activities at Legoland.

Nathan rode the helicopter,boat and sky cruiser rides. Finally John will have someone to go on the roller coasters. Nathan had no fear.

Caleb really enjoyed the sea life at Legoland.  He was able to feel a sea urchin, a sharks egg and a horseshoe  crab. Who knew that would be at Legoland?!

David built and raced (and won) a racecar out of legos. We were in the build and race area for a long time.

We were there from open to close and I bet we got thru 1/4 of the place. Whew!

Whale Watching Newport Beach

Our flights to California landed early in the day, so we decided to take the chance and go whale watching.

The grey whales are active in the Newport Beach area this time of year. We caught the last boat and headed out to sea. 

It was an amazing show. After an hour of sailing we saw just a tiny glimpse of the whales. David and I prayed that the Lord would be willing to allow us to see the whales come out of the water.  It wasn't even 5 minutes later that they were jumping straight up out of the water.

All the boys were thrilled.  We talked to the passengers on the previous boat, but they saw nothing so we told the boys we couldn't be sure about their appearance. 

We saw 9 amazing vertical whale jumps. We also saw many more surfacing blow hole spouts.  They came very close to the boat at one point and the smiles were ear to ear on my boys.

I am so thankful for that memory, especially the faith building experience with David.

Truely Amazing. I have video but no pictures. I never clicked at the right moment. I will try and get video posted of the vertical jumps. If you have have the chance to see that, I encourange you to spend the money.  Breathtakingly amazing experience.

Fly Away Spring Break Trip

It was a great trip! Nathan had his first flight. We went to Legoland, Newport Beach, Sonoran Desert, and family visiting in Southern California. All of this traveling in one week made for 3 excited and tired kiddos.

This was Nathan's first time on an airplane. Caleb didn't remember his last flight either since he was only one year old.

The 2 of them really were vocal about their excitement. A few neighboring passengers smiled and chuckled at their exuberant statements. "Look at the flaps on the wing!" " We are in the air, wohoo!" "Look we are in the clouds!"

None of the boys had any fear about flying. They all loved it.

We planned this trip over 6 weeks but never told the kids until 2 am when we woke them to get them to the airport. We didn't even tell them where we were going until we boarded the plane.

Here are a few pictures of them on their first flight. (more to come in subsequent posts)

Bucky Badger Hockey!

Nathan and I had the great privilege of attending a UW Mens Badger hockey game this past week. We were thrilled to see Buckey showboating for us during the period breaks. What a great time with the little man.

Nathan's voice on the radio

Just now Nathan said something that just made me stop and reevaluate life.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Backing up a step to set the stage for you:
I am doing the dinner dishes and we are listening to the local Christian radio station. 
In between songs, we hear Nathan's voice.  (some time ago a friend, who works at the station, came over and recorded the boys' voices for a few radio spots)

Nathan's radio spot is of him saying the call letters of the station in a happy laughing voice. 

Nathan asks:" Mom, why was I laughing when I said that?"
I reply: "Well Nathan, you are always so full of joy you sound like you are laughing."
Here is the kick in the pants. He says: "I wish you were like that" then walks off to kick the soccer ball in the dinning room.

I finish washing the dishes while trying to decide if I am going to laugh or cry over the remark. 
I find myself remembering being full of joy. Am I no longer a happy person? Guess Nathan doesn't think so.

This isn't the first time God has used one of my kids to make me look at myself in the mirror.
What a shocker.