Last Post on Trip

Here is my last post so that I can move on to other things.  We flew into Salt Lake City and I fell in love!! (other than the fact that the Mormons were all over the airport).  There were mountains all around the airport and the view from the plane was incredible.  We even saw the Grand Canyon from above.  I would love to go back and visit Salt Lake City and stay a little longer!!

Grand Canyon

Of course the highlight of the trip was the grand canyon.  To me it was like seeing Niagara Falls....you can see pictures, but nothing like seeing it in person.  We took a tour company over there and we stopped in Sedona to see the red rocks.  This was absolutely beautiful as well.  We stopped at an Indian trading company place and got to see the painted desert as well.  Last stop was the Grand Canyon.

Arizona Trip

I will post on this several times.  First of all, let me give the story about our trip.  It has been on my bucket list to see the Grand Canyon.  Jack and I thought about going to Las Vegas last summer and traveling over, but we just couldn't do it.  We also decided that this was a trip that we should really take the kids.  I thought it would be impossible.  The kids were out of school Thursday and Friday so we looked into going back to Disney.  A three day stay/park visit (even though there are 4 parks) would run us over $2600, not including the gas and meals.  I just couldn't swallow that.  We checked the GC, and at the time it was cheaper, but only by $600.  I prayed about it several times and asked if God would drop the price.  One time it did, but I would have to leave early Wednesday morning, and I didn't think we should take the kids out or use another vacation day.  I told Jack about it and he told me I should have grabbed it.  I can't believe how much trips vary from day to day or week to week.  I learned that you should look for trips on Tuesday afternoons after 3 because the rates usually drop on those days.  Every week I would check.  I played with so many variables.  One Tuesday afternoon the price dropped again and Jack told me to book it.  We got hotel and airfare for much less than the Disney vacation. The fun part was that the kids never had flown before!!  Jenna got caught through security for packing hair detangler and Jacob got flagged and needed special screening for his cast.  We flew to Salt Lake City, Utah, which was incredibly beautiful!!  We flew over to Phoenix, rented a car and went to our resort in Carefree, AZ.  These are just a few pictures of the resort area.

balloon day

Today was a half day at school and I was able to sub.  Sometimes being a sub has some benefits if things are going on.  Last week I subbed and got a free BBQ chicken plate and HUGE cookie.  Today was balloon day.  If the teachers signed a waiver, they could go up in the balloon.  Of course the balloon was tied down so it could only go so high, but now I can say I have been in a hot air balloon.  It was so cool.  Here are pictures of the balloon getting inflated, the balloon going up, the view of Jenna's class from the balloon (even though I didn't sub for her class)  and then the kids got to help take the air out (like squeezing toothpaste out of a container).  I was actually kinda dreading having to sub, but I am so glad I did.