Week in Arizona

We decided to take a week and head to Arizona to enjoy being around family and do some local things that we've been wanting to get off our "adventure list". First on the list was to hike Humphreys Peak in Flagstaff, Arizona. Since we've already hiked the tallest mountain in California & the continental United States (Mt. Whitney May/June 2010) we thought we should hike the tallest mountain in Arizona. So standing at 12,637 feet we climbed to the very top. Humphreys Peak is known for having high winds. While we were hiking Josh's father & brother checked the weather & it said there were 70mph winds while we were hiking. Because it was so windy it made it hard to hike. We were being carried in every direction.

The tallest point is where we will be standing about 4.5 hours later.

It was a little scary, hearing every noise and hearing trees falling. It didn't help that just before leaving the trail head there is a sign saying Caution: warning cougars (so I had to keep close tabs on Josh) & bears.

We're getting close!

WE MADE IT. Now if we just don't blow away.

We made it to the top & didn't blow away. However, my hat sadly blew off of my head and I sadly watched it blow up high above the mountains till it just disappeared. Let's just say I was pretty sad.

Jennifer & Josh back at the trail head (no hat). We made it back down the mountain by 1:15pm.


Next stop: Meteor Crater
This place is popular because a really long time ago a meteor came and made a huge hole in the ground. So we wanted to check it out.

That's a big hole....we were glad that we went, it was informative but we think it was just a tourist trap.



Next up: Hiking in Sedona with Angie, Risa & Rockwell (her son), Dawn & her two little girls. Josh carried Saylor & Dawn carried Sicily & Jennifer went.

Saylor, Josh & Jennifer in front of Vultee Arch in Sedona

The beautiful red rock.


Next up: bon fire down in the lower field.

Of course our trip wouldn't be complete without going shooting!

Angie, Shawn, Risa & Rockwell, & Jennifer eating at the haunted hamburger in Jerome.

Rockwell, Jennifer & Josh in front of the Haunted Hamburger.

Bowling

Brandon, Craig (Josh's cousin), Jillian (Craig's wife), Josh & Jennifer. We went bowling & enjoyed hanging out with Craig. Josh & I went to school at BYU-I with Craig. It was fun to meet his lovely wife & spend time with the both of them.

Hyatt at Gainey Ranch

Josh & Aaron playing volleyball in the pool.

Josh, Kolby, Aaron, Saylor, Shawn, Angie, Camden & Brandon playing in the pool.

Soaking up some vitamin D Angie, Jennifer & Katie


Last stop: Go see the play Les Miserables

Mom Anderson got tickets to Les Miserables. I was excited to go see the play because Josh had seen it when he was younger. It was a fun date night. We went with Mom & Dad Anderson, Sunshine, Angie & Shawn & Josh & myself.

It was a great way to end a fun week.

Again....Costal trip with the Anderson Family

Back in January, Josh & I went on a trip up the coast. When we told Josh's family about it they wanted to do the fun trip. So Memorial Day weekend we did a repeat. Our first stop Solvang. The small Danish town. Since Josh's family has a strong Danish line it was a perfect stop.

Jennifer, Josh , Dad & Mom Anderson

Of course we had to stop and get some treats from the Danish Bakery


Next stop, spend the night at the Madonna Inn

Josh at the Madonna Inn

Our bathroom we stayed in the room that was called "What's Left" so it was all the extra materials were used here as you can see that there is no real pattern. The room flooring looked the same as the walls here in the bathroom, just carpet though. This was our 2nd time staying here, it was a fun place.


Next stop Hearst Castle where we all took at tour.

Mom Anderson, Jennifer, Sunshine & Angela

Josh & Jennifer at the pier that Mr. Hearst had put in for his materials that had to be shipped in.

Josh & Jennifer at the pool getting ready to start our tour.

Our tour took us through the guest house, the gardens outside...

We saw a few places where Mr. Hearst's guest were entertained & what they could do while visiting the Hearst Ranch. The picture above is the ONLY bathroom that people are allowed to use inside the Castle, the only access was on our tour. Guess who got to go to the bathroom inside Hearst castle?? I did...I just couldn't hold it. It was a nice older bathroom.

Every detail from floor to ceiling is amazing.

The Neptune pool (indoor pool).

Next stop: DETOUR

Because of the land slide, it has covered & destroyed a couple parts of hwy 1, so we were able to make it all the way up the coast. We could only go to a certain point. We turned around and headed up to Monterrey up the 5 freeway.


Next stop: Elephant Seal's

Josh, Shawn & Angela

Dad Anderson, Josh & Shawn

Josh & Jennifer

Last stop, Julia Pfeiffer State Park

Dad & Mom Anderson

It was a great trip and we were able to see a lot of beautiful views of the great outdoors. Can't wait for our next adventure.

Parents for a week....

Steven & Jolisa (Jennifer's sister) went on an Alaskan cruise to celebrate their 10 year wedding anniversary. Josh & I had the privilege of playing "mom & dad". We had so much fun. They were gone Sunday to Sunday. So we got a great look at parenting. So on Tuesday we were asked how it was going...all we could say that it was soooo easy. We were just playing all day we just don't understand why people say parenting is soooo hard (see picture below). [wink wink]

(Pictures are backwards so start from the bottom & work your way up.) On Sunday when we turned the girls over to their parents the first thing they said was "when are you going on another vacation" we loved every second of it & feel blessed that Steven & Jolisa trusted us enough to step in for a week. Besides who wouldn't love eating tons & tons of deliciousness, playing freeze tag just before bed, reading stories & playing hide-n-go-seek? Right?!

The last night we had a sleep over at our house. The girls wanted to watch a movie with my Kiersten doll (American girl doll) so the girls sat and held her hand so she wouldn't be scared while eating popcorn. We had a blast. Thanks girls for the fun week. Can't wait for your parents to go on vacation again.

Samantha at her soccer game.

When the luau was just about to be over the cake walk game still had 20 cakes to give away. Each time the game was played they were giving away about 5 cakes. Well cakes weren't going fast enough so they said ok whoever is the best dancer will get a cake...Audree showed off her dancing skills & won a cake. She was so happy.

Samantha, Allie & Audree doing the cake walk hoping to win a cake.

Aunt Gigi, Audree & Samantha we have our fresh flowers & are ready to go to the Hawaiian Luau at Oak Mesa

Audree wearing Samantha's dance costume while reading a book. Just so cute couldn't pass up this picture.