The Grand 34th Birthday!

As you get older you start to have more of an appreciation for the world. The first of the seven World Wonders, such as the Grand Canyon definitely was on the ol'bucket list for this year.

 

A selfie(s) before our trip

Taking a picture of the Arizona sign was important because I was entering Arizona as a 33 year old, and leaving Arizona as a 34 year old #gettingoldstinks.



 We stayed in a small cowboy town named Williams. It has a population size of 3000, and when I badly estimated that amount and compared to Corona city population, John just laughed at me. This small city is known to be the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon". Filled with little quaint shops, BBQ restaurants and neat little small town events our family had a great time

There was a tractor show in town with all sorts of different tractors from different decades in time, and the boy's found the biggest ones to climb.

 

 Thanks to the persistence of my husband and his ability to take charge, he kept walking us just little bit farther and we ended up here, in this yummy little outdoor restaurant. It was so nice eating under that beautiful sky. The boys thought it was so cool that the local residents were able to carry their guns around in holsters. The other great experience of a small town was having the Mayor go around from table to table greeting all the guests.

 The beauty of our Creators hand. (Breathtaking)

 And well, let all be honest. Our kids aren't perfect and this seemed to be the best time out spot available. We took advantage of it.

 An incredible Williams sunset.
 

The next day, me and my boy's headed to the Grand Canyon. Many friends suggested taking the train down to the canyon. The train ride was 2 hrs and 15 min going 40 mph. Driving down Hwy 64 we would have been there in just about an hour. However, if we had, we wouldn't have learned all the neat information about Williams and the Grand Canyon that we had. We had an UH-mazing tour guide give us information on best things to see at the Grand Canyon (GC). So as first time visitors to the GC we were pleased with our decision to take the train and would suggest for all first timers to take the train.

 

 

 

Words cannot explain the beauty of the Grand Canyon nor can any picture do it justice until you are actually there. 

My pictures don't hold a candle to the beauty that God created with this beautiful canyon. Stretching 18 miles long and 10 miles wide and one mile in depth length.....God knew exactly what He was doing.

John and I couldn't get over how reasonably close (a six hour drive) the Grand Canyon is and how in all these years, why haven't we come to see it? We now not only plan to return, but plan to either hike down to the bottom and back up or white water raft in the Colorado river that runs through the Canyon (which are both now on the bucket list). 

 

I'm embracing 34!

Monsoon season is a great season to visit. The storms are amazing to watch, the weather is great and the skies are this beautiful!
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. -Psalms 19:1

Has to be one of my favorite pictures. These three men are my world.

Ice cream makes everything better! Even the 300th picture mom made me pose for.

I love him!

These boys had had enough by this picture, but thanks be to God we got a good shot.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.- Ecc 3:11

Can you see the beautiful rainfall in the middle of the canyon?

John pointed this sign out to me, it gives us some hope in America still.

And these are my poop'd tourists/hikers/picture posers.

Goodbye beautiful Grand Canyon till next time.

Next day my boys and I took up the suggestion of a few friends and visited Bearizona. It's kind of like a Jurassic Park drive through zoo, but you don't get attacked by all the wide animals which was a real let down for K.

There is a drive through portion and at the end there are different attractions to walk through to see other various animals. The drive through portion allows you to see animals in their very own habitat.
We saw bears, bison, rams and foxes.

This guy was taking a nap by the road that we drove on. NBD he's just chilax'n with his stick.

The boy's laughed and laughed at this bear itching his back on the tree trunk.

Next we walked through the attractions. Our favorite were the bear cubs. They were just A-dor-u-ble! J wanted to take one home to put in Cookie #2's (his hamster) cage with her.

 

Dad and J looking at the sleeping beaver.

 

These cubs are 6 months old and are lot's of fun to watch play.

"Not another picture" face.

The boy's hate, I mean hate taking pictures with overgrown rodents so I've just settled to taking pictures of myself with the overgrown rodent. In fact, John told me prior to this picture "K asked 'is mom gonna make me take a picture with that thing'?" and I did! J just volunteered to take this picture with me which was nice (pay no attention to the blue icee bribe).

It's a beautiful thing in itself to be able to stand back and take this picture.

We got to see a neat bird show and learned all about Raptors. This is a huge owl with amazing wing span and so incredibly quiet while flying.

Look at the wingspan on this raptor.

This weekend was unforgettable. I was able to see and experience so much with the ones that I love. From the long drive, the monsoon skies to the everlasting first impression I had when first setting eyes on the Grand Canyon. Its all an amazing experience filed away in my mind and heart. I am so happy and filled to have had such an experience on my 34th birthday.