we are gonna be friends

sometimes we get a glimpse into a really cool world. one where ruby has friends around her. friends who just love her. friends who don't need lehr or i to translate or facilitate.

we've not had a lot of this, as ruby is still young. don't get me wrong - we've had friends at church and school and in the neighborhood. friends who put in effort and who are awesome and loving and kind. 

but sometimes a shining friend makes you realize what you didn't know was missing. sometimes you find a friend who shines His light bright into our lives. a friend that doesn't really seem to be trying to be a friend - they just are.

they are getting as much out of the friendship as ruby is.

West Trip - Day 7

Location start/finish: Sedona - drive to Vegas
Activities: sightsee, drive, drive, drive, last dinner, last night

On our final morning in Sedona, we planned to see one sight and then get on the road. (We had a long haul to Vegas.) We enjoyed our final B&B breakfast before loading up. I cannot say enough good about the food there - it was phenomenal!

The last thing for us to see while in Sedona was the Chapel of the Holy Cross. It was beautiful driving up to it, as it's carved into the rock.

The inside of the chapel is likely what you'd expect, but spectacular all the same.

Once that was checked off of our list, we had to face the four+ hour drive back to Vegas. The kids did listen to a few podcasts with us though, and they even enjoyed one, in spite of themselves.

When we arrived, we'd already planned to have our final dinner of the trip be In-N-Out burger, so we checked into the hotel quickly and walked right over.

The big kids had a plan to each get a Double Double AND a single. Unfortunately for them, our order was slightly wrong, so they *only* got their Double Doubles. (Such a tragedy.)

We walked the streets of Vegas - shopping for the kids - for a bit longer until the heat did us in. (It was over 100-degrees that day.) Eventually we gave in and returned to the hotel where thee kids were wowed by the size of our room. When we initially checked in, the room wasn't ready so they upgraded us. They ohhhed and ahhhed for a bit before I put Ruby in the bath and Lehr took them out for their final night on the town.

The main reason to go out was the Eye in the Sky, which Lehr and the big kids had planned on since the beginning. They rode it, but didn't enjoyed it as much as they thought they might. Lehr followed that up by a HUGE dessert treat. So big that Maddux didn't even eat much of it at all!

West Trip - Day 6

Location start/finish: Sedona
Activities: jeep tour, pool-hang out day

Today was our second 'nothing planned' day on this trip, but we still ended up doing one planned thing: a jeep tour. We had to get up early so that we could eat and make our early jeep time. With a B&B though, you are at the mercy of their breakfast hours (meaning we were late), so we literally boarded the jeep as soon as we arrived.

The jeep tour was wild...way more intense than we'd expected. We drove off-road to two separate locations to get out, covering plenty of twisty and steep, rocky terrain along the way.

The first section had me and all of the kids in the back, and Lehr in the passenger seat. It was all I could do to hang on to a strap above me, brace my foot against Eli's seat across from me, and use my arm as a shoulder belt for Ruby...the ride was so rough that I was sure we would pop out of the jeep at any moment (even though we were wearing tight lap belts).

The first stop gave us some spectacular views. (Lehr called the bottom photo's rock structure 'toes', which always grossed Maddux out.)

After the first stop, Lehr offered to trade places with me and I took him up on it. The ride in the front seat was a completely different experience (so much smoother!).

And I felt better with Lehr holding onto Ruby as he wasn't getting thrown around as much as I was in the back. The things this jeep was capable of were mind-boggling. We went up (and down) the steepest of hills, all covered in rocks bigger than anything we've come even close to encountering on anything off-road around here.

The only wildlife we saw was a few lizards (small), but the tour guide assured me he saw snakes at least once each week. We did see some great vegetation the entire trip, but on the tour we learned about some of the specifics and how/when they grew.

After we grabbed a Whole Foods lunch, we went back to our place so that we could hang at the pool all afternoon. It was so nice outside! Lehr took Ruby to a playground and spray ground right across the street from our place while I took the big kids to the pool.

After about an hour, the kids and I moved over to the outdoor day beds to read and relax.

Eventually Lehr and Ruby returned and we returned to the pool for a bit. Eventually the kids and I took up residence in a hammock. (I think we would have stayed there all night if we didn't need to eat dinner.)

For dinner we found a low-key (for real this time!) mexican restaurant and had churros for dessert. The kids LOVED that. And on the way home we came across a sign that we tried to decipher the meaning of. (Cowboys lasso-ing, or lasso crossing?)

Finally, we stopped back by the playground Lehr and Ruby visited earlier. We had a blast making up 'obstacle courses', American Ninja Warrior style, and racing against each other's times. Ruby really loved this!

West Trip - Day 5

Location start/finish: Sedona
Activities: hike, swim, sight-see, shop

After much driving, it was nice to wake up and not have any lengthy car time ahead of us. Lehr booked a Bed-n-Breakfast for us in Sedona which turned out to be the most amazing grounds ever.

They had about 20 rooms, which were more like small apartments.

Right outside of our door was a few meandering pathways to chairs and daybeds and hammocks and then on to the pool.

It was all very awesomely southwest in decor, and of course the backdrop was red rocks everywhere.

We started the morning with breakfast on the grounds: savory waffles with eggs. (This made the top 3 meals list for Lehr and I.) From there we drove a short way to hike Cathedral Rock.

We didn't end up getting to the very top, but Ruby made it the whole way to our top destination on her own two feet.

Nothing like gummy fruit snacks to keep you motivated!

From there we went 'in town' to grab some lunch and spend some time exploring the downtown area. More shopping for the kids, because they loved checking out all of the shops.

It was here that we settled up with the kids from our corn hole game the day before. (Losers - us - bought ice cream.)

Around 3PM we decided to grab a quick change of clothes and hit Sliding Rock before it cooled down too much. We'd heard such great things about it, and we could see why. The best way to describe it is like a natural waterpark.

Pools of water everywhere, blended together with natural rock slides. Honestly though, we barely went in because the water was FREEZING. Before we left, Eli and Lehr did the 'big jump' from a high rock into the one deep section. The girls and I watched - I was happy to stay warm on the side with Ruby.

We drove back and changed with the intention of grabbing a low-key dinner outside somewhere. I maintain that I was led astray by Yelp and a few other reputable sources to believe that my choice would be laid back. While the dinner (and scenery) was amazing, it was pricier and fancier than expected. We jokingly refer to it as our 'accidental fancy dinner'.

Once home, I got Ruby to bed and the big kids went with Lehr to the pool.

West Trip - Day 4

Location start/finish: Arizona - Grand Canyon - drive to Horseshoe Bend - drive to Antelope Canyon - drive to Sedona
Activities: drive, hike Horseshoe Bend, drive, hike Lower Antelope (slot) Canyon, drive

We woke up to do another short Grand Canyon hike before getting back on the road.

More amazing views and close to the edge opportunities.

The drive to Horseshoe Bend was just over two hours. The scenery was still nice, but I was growing tired of being in the car. The kids still occupied themselves quite well. When we arrived at the parking lot, it looked like we would be walking up a small but steep hill to the beach - everything was sand dunes. We opted to push the stroller, since it was a steep climb. I'm so glad we did because once over the top, we had a much longer way to go (but it was downhill).

The view of everyone walking towards the 'bend' was like a pilgrimage...all kinds of umbrellas and clothing choices. And my kids were each carrying a Topo Chico, which was the official drink of our trip (water).

Once we got to the bottom I could see why the masses were gathered there. The contrast of the water to the rock was breathtaking and the symmetry of the horseshoe shape was amazing.

This was another opportunity for Ruby to climb on rocks away from the ledge. (And of course she played in the dirt and rocks, making 'spaghetti'.)

Once we made our way back up the steep and sandy path to the car (Lehr carried Ruby on his shoulders for so much of it - he is a rockstar!), we got back into the car and made the two+ hour drive to the Lower Antelope Canyon.

This was a highlight, maybe THE highlight, of the trip. We walked to a long divide in the earth and descended down a secured ladder. This part freaked me out because Ruby was on Lehr's back, but she held on great. Once we were inside, we had sand under our feet, smooth rock walls on both sides of us, and natural skylights above us.

It was breathtaking.

Ruby walked herself through the 1-mile 'tour' underground.

The kids and I could not stop taking pictures of the way the light hit the walls inside of the slot canyon.

And our tour guide always pointed out areas that were nicknamed for the shapes of the rocks.

At the end we exited out another few ladders and I had to take a picture of where we came from because it was in such contrast to what amazing color and splendor lay underneath the surface.

Back to the car again. Another 2+ hours to Sedona. Near the end, the kids fell asleep because it was close to 10PM when we arrived, but we drove around the twistiest curves ever. The photo doesn't do it justice!