Saturday, August 7, 2010

Summer Break

I can not believe the girls start school in two days! We had a great summer. Most summers we have spent right here in AZ, with small 3-4 day mini vacations to southern CA. This year, we took a real family vacation, the first EVER! I got a passport book of national parks (which appealed to my inner nerd), and we were on our way.
First stop, the Grand Canyon. The kids and I have been in the past, but it was a first for Tony, and his niece Lizzy, who joined us:


Our next stop was supposed to be four corners, but it was closed and under construction. What the heck is that about? So we moved on to Mesa Verde, CO. I had never heard of it, but it was AMAZING! There were really neat ruins we hiked down to:


Then it was up through Utah, and Arches National park:

We made a pit stop in Denver, to see Tony's sister, Tammi (Lizzy's mom):

I love this picture of Michael, with Tammi, and Olivia, who is exactly one month younger than Michael. They were babies together, and now my "baby" towers over his aunt and cousin!

Our next stop was Wyoming, with 4 days to spend in Jackson, Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone:

Grand Teton

The girls with a huge elk behind them.

One of the many buffalo we saw, this one was walking right by our car!

And the highlight of Sophie's trip, a beautiful horseback ride in the mountains of Wyoming. Sophie is in love with horses, and I was so glad she was able to do this!

After leaving Wyoming, we were not done yet! We traveled down through Utah, staying at Utah Lake, then Bryce Canyon National park.






We totalled 6 National Parks stamped in our passport book, in just over 2 weeks! We had so much fun driving around, camping in the RV, relaxing and being together.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG...what an AMAZING trip!!! I'm completely jealous. I've been wanting to go back to Yellowstone and Mesa Verde both for years now. I went when I was in high school, but haven't been back since. And, I can't believe Tony has never been to the Grand Canyon! I'm glad he got to see it. It looks like you got a lot of fantastic photos. I can't wait to see more. Maybe in a cute travel mini?! :)

H said...

Your "inner nerd"? That just makes me giggle because I never would have thought that of you :)
I would have gotten the book and forgotten to have it stamped! Fun trip. At what age do you think your kids need to be to say "we had so much fun driving around..."? I still dread the car rides anywhere :0

Unknown said...

this is a trip from my dreams! i once watched a pbs special on the national parks & it had me in tears and wanting to visit them ALL! (: it looks like you guys had so much fun!!! i'll have to ask you about your time in jackson hole & the grand tetons... that's going to be my stomping grounds here in a month! crazy. well, i'll be like 60 miles from jackson & closer than that to the tetons i think. can't wait to do some fishing there!!!

Amber said...

Wow! What an amazing vacation! I am so jealous! Great family photos! I can`t wait to see more. I think we need a scrap night!

VeryVarner said...

So great!! Love the photos you took. Thanks for sharing!

Ally said...

Oh my gosh - I had NO idea you went and did all this! What an amazing adventure! I'd love to visit some of those same places someday! I've been to the Grand Canyon and Mesa Verde (isn't it so amazing? I hope you did go on the tour because I couldn't believe how much I learned)... but the others? wow, Wyoming looks incredible - so different from our national "forests" here in the SW!

Unknown said...

oh wow, that is so neat and I love the photos! I went to Ce. LOL
I am sending My hubby and Jesus to Mexico the day after Christmas perhaps. Well, see ya. :)
Nice lady!