Warning: Too Many Pictures

Since I don't want this to be the longest post ever in the history of blogging, and neither do I want to give an in-depth story every day for the next week of what we did on our trip, I'll try to recap some of the highlights.



*Micah is not a fan of the Friendly Skies. Or any skies for that matter. Luke, the one afraid of heights, loves flying. Everyone found the moving walkways to be highly entertaining.


*When using Dramamine to drug kids use the yellow bottle, not the orange. The yellow promotes drowsiness. This is most effective after tiring out your children first. Children can, however, learn to power their way through the fatigue and simply be exhuasted AND terrified.



*Fire stations are the best part of a trip, no matter what else you have to see. And getting to put on fire gear is the best thing ever. Just ask Luke.



*Shopping trumps everything if you're a girl. A day walking around the fun stores at Wickenburg was Becky's highlight of the trip. And she learned that Trading Post was another name for Gift Shop. That's good to know information for any woman.



*The GPS is the greatest little thing ever invented to entertain 7 year old boys on long road trips. We got the mile-by-mile countdown to the Grand Canyon. We also got the updated Estimated Time of Arrival every few minutes. Strangely, what's funny and even cute for 7 year old boys is not so much from 13 year old girls. That just tends to be annoying.



*Becky is as afraid of heights as I am. The Grand Canyon is only grand when viewed from an indoor observation room. All other times are perfect opportunities to freak out because the boys all think it's funny to terrorize mom by actually having the nerve to walk right up to the edge and look down. After giving birth to them and all you'd think they'd have a little more respect for their mama and the condition of her heart.



*Arizona gets hot. Ninety-eight degrees in the middle of April will ensure that I do not want to live there. Ever. The lack of rolling hills and green growing things is also a deciding factor. Cactus do not count as green growing things.



*We can, indeed, get tired of eating out. Who knew?



*The sound of coyotes howling in your back yard is actually better than the sound of your own dogs barking. That part I'd like to trade.



*Daddies will sacrifice for their families and drive a king cab truck when a minivan is not available for rental. They will also go the extra mile to enjoy driving it.




*The vacation actually started a day early when I got to meet The Burgh Baby up close and personal. She had her mama with, too. :) And while I was in Arizona I had dinner and dessert with Sports Mama. How cool is all that?!



*Living with dogs in the house is frustrating at times. Most times, actually. But we learned that having no dogs in the house is just not home to us. We missed our four-legged shedding food thieves.



*Coming home at the end of a long trip is just as nice as leaving in the first place. It's always nice to know that east or west, home is best.

17 comments:

jessica said...

welcome home! looks like a big adventure, and you got some great photos. thanks for sharing karen!

Aimee said...

Welcome back! Sounds like you had a great time and the pictures are very cool!

Burgh Baby said...

Welcome home! Can I just say, I seriously missed you. Bloggy evenings just didn't seem right without an update from you.

caramama said...

Welcome back! It sounds like you had a good time. Love the pics. I missed you!

Flea said...

Oh very cool! And welcome home! Missed you!

Flea said...

You've been gone a little while. We've had quite the drama with missing cows while you've been gone. And no one will help me find them. :(

Anonymous said...

I totally missed you and your 'casm! How jealous am I that you hung with Burgh & Sports?! I'm with you: I'd NEVER love Arizona.

Laski said...

Note to self . . . "The GPS is the greatest little thing ever invented to entertain 7 year old boys on long road trips." Good to know . . .

Sounds like a BLAST--and you got to meet some bloggy buddies at that. Wow.

GREAT pics!

Birdie said...

What a great trip!

The Sports Mama said...

Honestly? While I agree that eating out can at times get old... having dessert with new friends and their uber-sweet daughters? Makes it all totally worth it!

Glad you're back, though. Missed your writing!

Those pics of your junior firemen? Beyond cute!

(and yes... I'm totally kicking myself for not having my camera that night! Proof,baby...would have been nice!)

Chaim said...

Sounds like a great trip. Looking at these photos is serving as yet another reminder of just how much I miss the west.

And not *all* of Arizona is 98 degrees in April :) The state actually has a quite diverse climate...

Paula Lynn Johnson said...

Where can I get me one of them "Jail Trees"? Could I handcuff my kids to it when they misbehave? Or interrupt my blogging?

Kellan said...

WOW, those are all great pictures!!! I love that one with that huge cactus - that is amazing. It looks like you all had a great time - I'm so glad!

Have a good day - Kellan

Madame Queen said...

It makes the backs of my knees feel funny just to THINK about those boys standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon.

Welcome Home! Looks like a great trip!

Cecily R said...

I'm so glad you had such a great time and equally glad you're back!!

Love the pictures. ALL of your kids are adorable adorable.

And can I just tell you how stinkin' JEALOUS I am about you meeting Burgh andSportsMama? Color me green with envy!!!

Tootsie Farklepants said...

That's a big cactus.

Karen MEG said...

What wonderful vacation pictures. And you got to meet some blogger pals too; that must have been a blast!