Hiking Havasupai Falls

Here we are ready for our hike, freezing cold as the wind was super strong. (Kenny & Laura aren't pictured they were our photographer here.) We hiked to Havasupai Falls down at the lower/southern part of the Grand Canyon. When we began our hike it was snowing/raining. We kept thinking we must be crazy. We were so excited that we didn't let the weather turn us away, because it was great weather once we got to the bottom. We had such a great time with our other Anderson/Christensen Family. Thanks for the AWESOME memories.

After we got to the bottom of the canyon we could see a light blanket of snow on the peeks of the mountains. It was snowing the whole time we were coming down the switchbacks. We were really in for a treat. We just couldn't believe that it was snowing.

Josh & Jennifer at the bottom of the canyon.

Here come the mules, you had to watch out for them cause they just ran they weren't all tied together either, they just knew where to go, we made sure to stay out of their way.

Here's a picture of our trail at the bottom of the canyon.

Fun rocks, Kenny, Laura & Josh having fun.

We thought that this was a cool rock with all the little holes, and people have put smaller rocks in the holes, crazy looking.

Here is a church building down at the bottom of the canyon. Some fun information Josh's grandpa rode a horse down here every so often for church reasons, he was over the area of Havasupai.

These are new falls that were created in the 2008 flood called Rock Falls which destroyed other falls. These are the first set of falls you see just past the town of Havasupai.

Jenn & Laura in front of Rock Falls.

Havasu Falls is the 2nd waterfall that we saw on our way to our campground. Havasu Falls plunges about 100 feet into a pool of blue-green waters. This is also one of the most photographed waterfalls in the world and we got our fair share of pictures.

Trevor, Sunshine, Risa & Josh

Couples picture, Kenny & Laura, Josh & Jenn, Trevor & Risa in front of Havasu Falls.

Another picture of the beautiful fall, we just couldn't take enough pictures it was so pretty. Who knew Arizona had so much beauty? We only had to go about 4 hours for these falls, to Hawaii its a 5 hour plane ride.

Enjoy breakfast Fox Family style. Kenny & Laura spoiled us, they cooked us pancakes, eggs and bacon. I know right, I know we gained weight from the yummy breakfast.

	Mooney Falls is the highest and MOST majestic waterfall. This is a roaring thunderous fall that drops about 200 feet.

Here is where you enter to access Mooney Falls-----scary!!

Josh & Jennifer

Still warming up to the water, Josh & Jenn, Kenny & Laura, Trevor & Risa

Here are all the boys & Taylor, these are the brave ones jumping in the cold falls right away.

This is what one has to climb/scale down in order to swim and enjoy Mooney Falls. Access is only possible by climbing down a very narrow ledge which gets very dangerous especially from all the water from the waterfall.

Here Josh is dragging me out to the waterfall, I tried to tell him I was close enough, but that wasn't good enough.......

Josh thought he was being funny by just picking me up and carrying me BACK into the FREEZING cold water. He wouldn't put me down until we were about 5 steps from the waterfall, the water was pelting our skin it hurt and it was cold.

Kenny & Laura, Josh & Jenn

The Anderson/Christensen Family

Mooney Falls, so picture perfect beautiful.

A view of Mooney Falls standing at the top just to get an idea of how tall it really is.

Here we are....we made it out!!!!!

Sunshine, Trevor & Risa so happy to be at the top!

Josh being the sweetie that he is went back to help Taylor & carried her backpack up the switchbacks for her. The rat of a looking dog (as you know I'm not that big of an animal lover) melted Laura's heart. She kept saying how she wanted to take the dog home. She kept asking me if the dog could come home in our truck. I kindly asked her "if she had rope" she said "of course", then I asked her if she thought the dog would be able to run at 85 mph??? With a laugh she responded no.....sadly in some people's eyes the rat dog stayed......

Kenny & Laura happy to be done!!!!

Our fun Christensen cousins made it yea!!!

Smalls In GEORGIA!!!!!

Private First Class Thomas Wilkins a.k.a Smalls had a 36-hour family pass from boot camp so we thought we'd take advantage of the opportunity to go and visit him in Columbus, GA. After finishing my 2nd leg of the Ragnar race Josh picked me up we then went to Mike & Nicole's showered, picked up Samantha (who we were able to take with us to spend a fun weekend with her Uncle Josh & Aunt Gigi) and raced off to the airport caught a red-eye flight and landed in Atlanta at 7:00am. We then picked up the rental car and drove to Columbus. Thomas had no idea that we were bringing Samantha and it was the best surprise ever. If you look closely you can see that huge grin. We were so excited to be able to spend the next 36 hours with him.

Here we are, Jennifer, Mom, Thomas, Samanthie, Michael and Dad. Josh is not pictured b/c he is taking the picture. My mom bought us all fun shirts that say we are a PROUD ARMY FAMILY. They are fun.

Uncle Thomas reading Samantha a story, I think Thomas read her that story about 15 times, she just loved being able to spend time with her Uncle.

Samantha enjoying every second with Uncle Josh & Aunt Gigi cause she gets to eat twice as much ice cream, both hands. (Her shirt says "Don't mess with me my uncle is in the ARMY")

We went to a local pizza place to enjoy all you can eat pizza and soda. Something highly ranked on Thomas' to eat list for the weekend. In the picture: Jennifer, Mom, Dad, Michael, Thomas (Smalls), Samantha.

Smalls & Smalls (we call each other smalls we got it from the movie "The Sandlot")

Thomas & Josh. Thomas showing Josh just how strong he is several weeks into boot camp.

Mom, PFC Thomas Wilkins, and Dad

Samantha & Thomas

Hanging out at the pool

The water was just a little to cold for us to get all the way in.

Not for Michael though, here he is doing a handstand.

Samantha wearing Thomas' hat, looks so cute, she sure had fun.

Thomas enjoying some good ice cream just before he has to report back to the base. I took this picture then no more than 1 1/2 minutes later was the whole thing gone. I was like "holly cow Thomas its not a race" he then reminded his sister that he's use to only having about 2 minutes to eat his dinner so he's pretty fast.

Samantha enjoying her ice cream.....more sweets........

Thomas & Michael....oh how Michael already misses Thomas

Samantha walking Thomas back as far as she's allowed to go.

Samantha saying bye to her Uncle Thomas giving him a big hug and kiss, she sure loved being able to spend so much 1 on 1 time with him. Josh & I loved being able to take Samantha with us. She was a perfect little angle and didn't complain. She was just very sad and couldn't understand why Thomas couldn't spend the night just one more night in our hotel. So cute. We are super pumped about our next trip to see Thomas again in less than 2 weeks....We're so lucky.

Ragnar Race 2010

Here I am with Josh just after I finished my 2nd leg. While running at night we had to wear a reflector vest, a head light and a "butt light" a red flashing light so that cars would be able to see the runners.

LIFE IS GOOD team minus Jackie who is running when we took this photo.

Laura & Jenn hanging out in the van getting ready to cheer on our team.

Jolisa, Jolynn and Jennifer this is just after Jolynn ran. We are holding up #1 cause we are #1 and its our first Ragnar race.

Jenn, Jolisa, Becky and Jackie going to go cheer Laura all the way to the finish line. We have the cool looking orange flags that we had to wave when crossing the street.

Here is my picture and Laura's picture on our van, our van was decorated so cute. We had a blast......yes Life is good!!!


So my sisters, Laura and myself and some other of our friends got together to do the 2010 Ragnar Relay race. We had a team of 12 people and each person ran a total of 3 legs (3 times). Together our team ran from Santa Barbara, California down to Dana Point a total of 200 miles. I was runner #1 and my first leg was 7.8 miles, my 2nd leg was also 7.8 miles. I left after my second leg to catch a flight to Georgia to go see Thomas for his 36 hour family leave from boot camp so Laura being the sweetie that she is ran my 3rd leg of 2.5 miles for me in the middle of the night. Here are some fun pictures from the day......