roadtrip

We took a long weekend to visit family and had a fantastic time. We started with an epically long car ride but the girls did great. They slept for the first few hours and then we stopped and let them run at a McDonalds. We drove a few more hours and then stopped to run at a park. And then we drove a few more hours, pulled into the hotel and carried our sleeping girls to their beds.

We spent the morning playing with Daddy's brother and his little family, most particularly their beautiful little girl. Butterfly and Ladybug were crazy excited to see her. We played at the park together and hung out at their house playing with toys and watching movies.

In the afternoon, we went to Walnut Creek, loaded all four girls into kidpacks (or a sling--I love carrying my babies this way) and went for a hike. AngelBaby sat against my chest, alert and curious, taking it all in with big eyes. Little cousin rode on her mom's back with an occasional jabber, an adorable serenade of singing ABCs and reaching out to touch the railing or trees. Ladybug rode on Daddy's back, unusually quiet since she didn't get much of a nap but content to hold tight to her yellow blanket and look around suspiciously (that is, until we spotted some lizards and she wanted daddy to catch one for her). Butterfly loved our hike. She managed to convince her uncle to carry her in a kidpack and was fascinated as he named the different types of plants and trees that we saw. Then, being a good student, she insisted on pointing out and identifying each yucca or cactus as we passed. On this short trail, we got to pass right by ancient pueblo dwellings (or what is left of them, carefully preserved or rebuilt to be as accurate as possible). I've seen these from a distance before but have gotten to walk right up to them before, sometimes even in them! We explained to Butterfly that these were ancient homes and she studied it and then objected, "but there are no beds!"

We spent the evening downtown, getting to wander past a few shops on our way to get burgers at a "local's favorite". The best part was the rosemary fries. Then came the short walk home, a movie and ice cream and settling back into our hotel.

The girls loved the hotel. I was worried they might be too loud, rambunctious, destructive, etc. but they actually did great. Bedtimes were a little rough since we were all in one room but they slept great, loved the breakfast buffet (as well as the fresh baked cookies in the evening) and seemed enthralled by the fancy lobby and fireplace.

The next morning we headed out to the highly recommended Sunset Volcano. We saw the lava flow as we drove and that was pretty fascinating to see. We walked the short trail and the girls bounced around, more interested in playing in the dirt than understanding the area's significance. We didn't get very close to the volcano and since the crater is closed to hiking anyway, we found the trip to be a little anticlimactic but it was still a nice walk for the morning.

We hung out with family some more, now joined by grandma, grandpa and Daddy's sister. We played with toys and decorated Easter eggs before a quick lunch and naptime. Then Grandma announced Easter bunny mischief and each of the four little girls got to follow their own trail of clues to find Easter gifts (new swim gear! and other fun extras). After the flurry of gift opening, they went on an Easter egg hunt and celebrated by eating half the candy before we herded them to the park for some kite flying time. Butterfly loved it and did really well but Ladybug was content to play on the playground while AngelBaby chattered from her stroller. For dinner, we went out to a Japanese steakhouse. The food was fantastic and the chef did the usual fun tricks (Ladybug was delighted, Butterfly was terrified of the fire). We went for a quick dip in the pool (too cold for me and baby but the big girls loved it) before a movie and bedtime. Daddy said the girls loved the hot tub and were such good girls, charming the other visitors and enjoying the hot water.

On our last morning there, we took our time eating breakfast and got all of our stuff packed and loaded into the car. We returned to our brother and sister's house for a little more playtime and a terrific Easter meal. Bellies full and ready for naps, we got on the road and began the long drive north again.

But this time, we stopped after only a short time for a visit to the Grand Canyon! This marvelous wonder is something I had never seen before so I was so excited to experience it with our beautiful girls. We saw the short video in the visitor's center and then walked out to Mather's Point to stand in amazement at the beautiful vastness of the canyon. My mind echoed with the statement about how the first explorers deemed it an impossible obstacle in our exploration and such a useless wasteland. But later, someone would see it's potential and call it beautiful. And that's what we saw, the fascinating play of sunlight and shadows that danced across the ridges and valleys, highlighting the beautiful streaks of color and magnificent power in its creation. How incredible.

The wind was intense and the weather was making a feeble attempt to snow, so AngelBaby and I wandered hesitantly, trying to keep her sheltered and warm. But the big girls ran around in delight, climbing and jumping off the rocks. Eventually we wandered the book store and piled back into the car.

A few hours later we stopped at my grandmother's house and spent some time with her. We got in fairly late but she patiently waited for us and the girls were so happy to see their "grandma great". We took her to breakfast the next morning and had a wonderful time talking and reminiscing with her.

More driving, another stop at a McDonald's playplace and then more driving again before we finally drew close to our home again.

What a great trip, full of fun with family and sightseeing. The girls did fantastic, patiently watching movies or napping in the car, being charming and sweet to everyone they met and only slightly smothering their little cousin with their crazy energy.