Grand Canyon - better really late then never!

Okay so this post is about 5 months late but I didn't forget. I think I might try and catch up on some of the bigger highlights I have forgotten. Probably the BIGGEST is the much anticipated Grand Canyon Trip - and by much anticipated I mean Kyle has been on a waiting list for about 16 years for the family to get to do this again. And before I show how wonderful the trip was you all need to know the story behind me NOT being there.

About 11 years ago while we were engaged Kyle took me to dinner and told me he needed me to promise him something. He wouldn't tell me what, he just said there is something very important he wants to do with me and he needs me to promise I will do it before he tells me what it is. After much persuasion I gave in and promised. He then told me his family is on a waiting list to go on the Grand Canyon again (Kyle did this with his family when he was young) and he so badly wants to have that experience with me. After 10 years of marriage and 4 more kids when the time came for the trip he never mentioned me going. One day I said "Maybe I should go too just to see Adia have this experience"... I was quickly told "No. You wouldn't like it and not only would you ruin it for me you would probably ruin it for everyone." So I was uninvited and Adia took my place - WHATEVER!

But I was still SO HAPPY for them to have this opportunity and here are some pictures of the fun they had.

Getting read to go... hair station. Notice there are 2 people working on Adia. :)

Adia and Kyle ready to go!

Finally after years and years of waiting they are ON THE WATER! and they don't get to get off of it for 14 days!!!

The group was Kyle, Adia, his parents, 3 of his sisters (2 brought spouses), 2 brothers and their wives, 1 cousin, 1 nephew and 1 really old guy that is a long time rafting buddy of the family... he has done this trip I think like 30ish times.

Here are the guides - each responsible for one of the boats.

Group shot - when Adia got home she mentioned several times how lucky she is to have such a fun family...

but mostly she mentioned her love of UNCLE TY &

UNCLE BEN who kept her more entertained than the river.

And here she is with her wonderful Grandpa who pulled the whole thing together for everyone for a second time. Our family has so many amazing memories due to this man and his love of travel and water and nature and family!

The fun group again.

Here is what it looks like to set up a kitchen in a canyon.

Even chopping tomatoes is fun in there.

And what would they have done without all the card games???

Shaving is a mandate in our family... I was so proud of her for this picture. Kyle don't me that she probably wouldn't shave the whole time but I knew my girl would and I love that she did!

There is so much I could tell you about the trip and all the cool hikes they went on, the beautiful things they saw, the crazy rapids, the entertaining fights (yep, they are a real family) and more but I will just end with a bunch of adorable father daughter shots. If you can look past my two cuties than you will notice that yes indeed God is a marvelous Creator and his artwork in that canyon is truly awe inspiring. I'm so grateful Kyle and Adia had this opportunity!

The End!

Tahoe

The week before Christmas our family enjoyed a lovely little getaway in Tahoe. It was SO NICE to be together with nothing to do. The ride up there was so interesting. When we left the house Kyle asked Adia to pray for our safety and boy are we glad she did! About 10 minutes into the trip the light on my dash lit up that says "service 4 wheel drive". We stopped at a mechanic who said they couldn't fix it. We then headed to Grandpa Paul's to switch Saburbans. The picture below is where we got stopped on the mountain. We found out it was due to some major snow fall and about 6 cars needed to be cleared off the road. It was at this spot that a news crew showed up and I was panicking because I thought you would be able to see me in the background of the newsladies report. I turned in my seat to face away from the news van when Kyle says "Amy, shes coming to your door". Sure enough I coulnd't get out of being interviewed and Kyle and I were put on the news for plenty of our friends to see - SO ANNOYING! I guess that is payback for all the pictures I have refused to be in for so long.



Anyway, we finally made it to Tahoe and had such a great time. Here are some of the highlights...

Good old fun in the snow.

Lots of beautiful photo opportunities!

Sledding!

Snowball fights!

Icicles

Snuggle Times!

Goofing around!

Spending time with GREAT FRIENDS

who joined us for a couple nights!

Looking cute in our gear.

Watching Lake Tahoe look like an ocean.

Watching the big kids!

Getting sick but feeling really loved when Adia delivered snow to play with inside.

There are so many good pictures I wanted to share but my computer is being funny and I have several more posts to complete in the next few days so I need to just get this on here. Overall we had such a great time. The kids got lots of snowboarding and sledding in and we all enjoyed some really precious time as a family. I wish we could go back next week!

Disneyland

We just got back from our families first trip to DISNEYLAND!

Grandma & Grandpa helped us make that happen for our whole families Christmas gift. It was also mine and Kyle's gift to our kids this year. Everyone had a BLAST and it was totally worth the combined effort to make it happen.

THANK YOU!

Here is what we looked like on the LONG drive there. But we finally made it and had such a good time!

Splash Mountain!

I LOVED all the Christmas decor!

Lot's of shoulder rides! Grandpa was the best baby holdder ever!

Kaden is IN LOVE with Buzz but freaked out when he got close to him. Adison on the other hand LOVED meeting all the different characters. I love how she does her feet in pics!

He didn't freak out on the ride though - he LOVED it. Adia and I fought over who could go with him until we realized the 3 of us could all fit in together.

I kept trying to get the adults to look at the kids they were sitting with but all of them (besides me) were way too interested in getting points by shooting the silly guns! Dorks!

Adia and I on a fast ride that went down and around a mountain... not sure what it was called.

Jenny cracked me up - checking out her pictures before the ride was even over. She was a blast to be there with. I swear she knows that place better than I know the local mall. Crazy!

Daddy & Avery fighting their way through the park.

This is how the Middleton's keep entertained while we wait in the lines!

Adisons' favorite part for sure!

When I asked her who's castle it is she quickly said "mine"

I'll have to find the many shots of Kyle like this as a little guy.

Kaden was not feeling good at all while we were there but when he felt good - he felt REALLY GOOD!

Everything was so beautifully lit up for Christmas. I LOVED it!

Brad & Lindsey even stopped by to have some fun with us. Brad went on the Tower of Terror with the kids as well as the wet rapid ride (2x). Then G'ma and G'pa took the kids swimming at the hotel while the 4 of us went out for a nice dinner. It was a great treat to see them.

Everyones favorites...

Kyle - Pirates

Amy - California Soaring (or something like that)

Adia - Tower of Terror

Avery - The loop de loop ride (not sure what it's real name was but it's the roller coaster in CA adventure)

Kenyon - Indiana Jones and The Jungle Cruise (some random boat ride with tons of cheezy jokes)

Adison - The princesses & the honey pot ride


Kaden - Buzz