Mini Vacation

 It was sad leaving family up in Utah, but part of the reason we wanted to get back was to take a little trip south.  In Ada's 19 months, she has only been camping once, so we thought it was about time to let her get re-acquainted with it all.  We decided on Lost Dutchman State Park, just far enough outside of Phoenix.  We drove down small highways and turned onto a dirt road at Roosevelt Dam. 

I am tempted to do this drive every time we have to go down to Phoenix- even if it more than doubles the amount of time it takes.  It was gorgeous!

  Ada "helped" set up camp

then we settled in just in time to see the sunset

 and the moonrise.

We ate around the campfire

and Ada loved the tent.

We went on hikes

and enjoyed more sunsets.  

Bryan has started school for the semester, but we're ready to go again as soon as possible.

December, pt. 2

 Before Christmas, we took Trax downtown to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square.  Ada was not impressed after spending time in Vegas, the city of bright lights, and we were a little disappointed because they seemed a lot better when we were younger.  Still a nice trip, though. 

And we made it back in time to sing Happy Birthday to Ellie on her second!

 

When we got to Midway, we ate good food, participated in a live Nativity,

took the kids tubing,

 made gingerbread cookies,

and took a family portrait.

 Oh, and of course, the train set.

Ada still doesn't quite understand the gift exchange at Christmas, but she sure was excited about her Yo Gabba Gabba friends

and her baby (which she immediately stole the bottle from, threw from the crib and got in herself.  As Carol pointed out, we might have to wait a few years before she can babysit.)

And we took another family portrait.

 

After a couple more days of hanging out (including a visit to the aquarium!),

we made the long, long trip back to Flagstaff.

December, pt. 1

The time has flown by!  Lets start over a month ago....

 Ada got another cold that turned (again!) into some respiratory infection that landed her in the hospital for another night.  She was acting completely happy and energetic, but her breathing was really labored.  And like last time, it disappeared on it's own after less than 24 hours in the hospital.  No one really knows why it happens to her.  But we were happy it was gone so quick, because 2 days later we were scheduled to see the Hoover Dam and the new bridge

and meet Carol, Mike and Ellie in ....

 

  Las Vegas!  We had reservations at the Flamingo hotel, and we didn't realize it until we got up to the rooms, but they had given us upgrades!  The rooms were bigger than our house in Escalante and we had a view of the Bellagio fountains!  The kids had TONS of room to run around with each other, 

 

 And we had these amazing bathrooms in which 2 of the walls were frosted glass.  We accidentally made the discovery that they were great for taking cool pictures through.

Of course we did other things in Vegas (like eating way too much food) but the rooms could possibly have been the highlight.