Grand Canyon Day Two

Day Two of the Grand Canyon started out with some more outstanding views.

And some really fun friends.

I was kinda surprised at how few railings there were.  It sure made having a walking and running 1 year old a lot more stressful.

Another gorgeous Brent photograph.

While Brent and James were off wandering, taking pictures, exploring and having fun sometimes I would just like to sit and enjoy being outside in nature.  Luckily, Erin was normally down to relax with me.  Granted she had a 4 month old who constantly needed breaks as well.

Did I mention I will be a widow by 30?

Harper enjoyed seeing and tasting all that the Grand Canyon had to offer, even when it wasn't much... Somethings don't impress her as much as others.

We also got to see a little bit of wild life.  Most of the wildlife was closer to the campsites, but it was surprising that they would make an appearance at all since it is so busy.

This is a picture that Brent went out and took during sunset.  He always goes out and tries to get amazing shots but the sky and sun never seems to cooperate.

I love this little girl, and this picture shows how fast she is growing up.  I don't like it...

Our little family. Which is weird because now we are missing another little girl!

I think a lot of people around us thought this was to dangerous to have a baby strapped to me... Little did they know I was actually carrying two little babies!

Apparently "risk taking" runs in the family.

I think Brent could have stayed out there all morning just relaxing and reflecting.

I wish Harper would at least remember this trip but she won't so I am glad we have some pictures of her all growing up!

It makes me sad to think I can barely hold her like this anymore and at some point she won't want me to!

I was most afraid that Harper would not have done well on the drive but she was so tired on the way back she slept the entire way and it was a delightful trip!  

Overall the Grand Canyon was gorgeous and I am glad I have been there but since it is not my favorite landscape I probably didn't enjoy it was much as others. 

Grand Canyon Day One

Brent and I have been pretty lucky to have friends close enough that want to travel.  Since we are in Las Vegas, we figure we should make the trek to the Grand Canyon and Erin, James, Jadie and Parker Urrutia were willing to come with us!

I was pretty nervous about the trip considering I just found out I was pregnant and I get pretty miserable morning sickness plus Harper was barely a year old. Brent, of course, thought camping was a pretty good idea!

Luckily, the Grand Canyon isn't really camping.  Yes, you stay in a tent but they have buses that take you all around the different stops and the walks are only about a mile long. Plus there are cool little statues that Harper could climb all over.

Once we got looking at the views it was AMAZING!

I couldn't believe how massive and intricate this canyon is.

I don't think you can see this but there is a little squirrel that was running all over one of the viewpoints. The viewpoints were pretty crowded but since we went in June the weather was perfect.

Some viewpoints were completely empty which let us just enjoy the grandeur of it for as long as we wanted.

Harper looks so little!  Her hair is still ridiculous but now it is longer and ridiculous. 

This is where I am a little bit of a downer.  I am not a huge fan of the desert landscape and so after a few viewpoints the grand canyon kinda lost its wonder for me.

This guy never loses his wonder.  This is a ledge that he had to run and jump to reach.  I fully expect to be a widow by the time I am 30.

And being on the ledge wasn't enough, he then had to hang over the side.  There was a little place for him to stand but it still didn't make me feel any better.  Erin kept saying she would kill him.  I've thought about it.

Harper is a mover and a shaker so the fact that she slept at all was kinda amazing.  We couldn't readjust her at all once she was out because she would wake up and stay awake so easily. The buses were pretty nice break as well. There were several different lines. We were really most concerned with seeing the sites so we focused on seeing half of it one day and the other half the next.

I miss green... that is all.

Brent did get a chance to go out and capture some of the most amazing landscape with his photography... He is really getting quite good at this little hobby of his and everyday he has some new trick to fill me in on.

It was a good first day, unfortunately we were unable to have a fire which made out evening pretty uneventful.  It was quick to bed.  We brought a pack and play for Harper, which ended up being pointless.  She slept in bed with Brent for about an hour, and then in bed with me for about six hours.  Dads were not meant for the night shift but I won't let that stop Brent from trying!

Harpers 1st Birthday

As I look at facebook, I read comments on how mom's have purchased the decorations, ordered the food and sent out the invites for their child's first birthday, and then you have me.  The day before I decided that we should actually do something for it.  I invited over some of our friends.  Made a delicious carrot cake for the adults and attempted to make a cute three tiered cake for Harper (it turned out kinda rough). 

Harper had friends to play with and didn't really know what to do with the cake we put in front of her.

Inspecting the candle.

Told you it was rough.

She finally took a bite, and didn't care how it looked!

The sugar is kicking in!

She ate a good portion, threw even more on the floor and then put her binki in to show she was all done.

I may not be willing to plan a full out party for my one year old, but at least I will let her destroy a cake on her birthday!  Our friends did end up bringing a few cute presents, and we gifted Harper with a brand new car seat!  I have to think this was the best birthday she has ever had!

Boston Navy Shipyard

On our final day in Boston we finished up the Freedom Trail by hitting up the USS Constitution.  This is one of six ships commissioned by George Washington.

It was built in 1797 and is the oldest active floating navy vessel.  I guess there are older ships but this is the only one that is still in the water.

All of the crew onboard are active navy and wear the uniforms from the 1800's.

Just steering the ship.

The stairs were pretty steep but Harper wasn't scared.

The second and third floor were made for shorter people than Brent and I.

After finishing up on the USS Constitution we went over to the other docked ship.  As you can tell from the guns it is much more recent.

We inspected the kitchen area and found that they had the ability to make a delicious Harper Stew.

Too bad she is more of a war mongerer than delicious course.

This is a neighborhood we walked through and it was so quintessentially east coast.  This is gorgeous and I would TOTALLY consider it!

It was a fun trip but Harper was ready to head home.  She had barely napped and slept the entire trip so we hoped that she would sleep on the plane home.

We were WRONG! Longest 7 hours of plane rides ever.  Then we decided to wait a while before we travelled with Harper again.