Adventures with Gramma, Grandaddy and Great Granny...

My parents and paternal grandmother came out 10/16-10/22 for Caroline's first birthday. Mama and Daddy slept in the guestroom and Granny slept in Corbin's bed while he slept in the pack-n-play in our room. I picked them up in Vegas Tuesday and we got to Santa Clara around 1830. It was so cute watching Granny ooh and ahh as we drove thru the Gorge. I worked 24 hours Wed so Gino took them up to Zion N'tl Park (http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/zion.htm) and by Sandhollow Lake (http://www.pbase.com/greyflash/sand_hollow_state_park). Thursday the girls went shopping for essentials for Caroline's party while the boys went hiking to the Anasazi petroglyphs and off roading a bit (close to the house). That nite a friend babysat while the adults went to Tuacahn (http://www.tuacahn.org/concerts.html) to see 42nd Street (outdoor theatre). Friday we all drove 2 1/2 hours over to Bryce Canyon (passed Cedar Breaks N'tl Monument on the way..see a previous post for pics of that)(http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/bryce.htm) and back. Saturday was Caroline's party. Sunday we went to church, napped then went out to Silver Reef (http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ut/silverreef.html) to Ronda and Peter's for supper and to drive around the retired silver mines. Monday Gino watched the kids while I drove them 2 1/2 hours over to see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/grand_canyon/north_rim.htm). It was, as always, truly breathtaking and amazing...gorgeous clear day and super quiet there as the gift shop/restaurant are closed for the season. I was so proud that my 78 year old, spunky as ever, Granny could see all of these sites in her lifetime and experience the grand beauty of some more of God's creation. She did a couple of short hikes..very impressive...at Bryce and the Grand Canyon. She didn't complain one bit! One the way back, we stopped in Fredonia, AZ at this old Anasazi ruin that is not well preserved. Daddy and I managed to make it to the clamshell lookout. We found lots of petrified wood and could've stayed for hours looking for neat rocks and arrowheads.

Anyway, we had a great time and, of course, it went by TOO fast. They left on the shuttle this am for Vegas to head back to AL. LOVE YOU GUYS! Come back real soon...(waahhh).

Caroline Sophia turns ONE!

On Saturday, October 20, 2007, our baby girl turned one! WOW..that year went by super fast! We were blessed to have my parents, Rex and Kay Courtney as well as my Granny (Daddy's mom, Minnie Foxhall) come out all the way from Alabama. My cousin Amy Gainsford and her gorgeous 7 month old Isabelle drove over from Vegas too! WOW! We felt special! Several of our new neighbors came..we had a house full...a great turnout. We had a "jumping castle" in the backyard. We ate pizza, chips and dip, and lots of cake! For Caroline's 1st b'day I wanted to use some of the gorgeous marizipan flowers that her VaVa (Gino's mom, Bruna) spent three months making for our wedding cake..so, I baked a round layer cake and put a couple of those on there...looked beautiful. We also had a big Costco cake and, of course, Caroline's little cake she could dig into. She did so good opening her presents (with a lil help from her big bro Corbin and some of the neighborhood kiddos).

Well, kinda sad how fast they grow up. She still isn't walking yet..trying HARD. She jabbers ALOT, especially in the car. She is an awesome sleeper, LOVES to eat and still loves to suck that thumb. She just squeals at the sight of her brother and loves to play and read books (upside down). We are so proud of her and thank everyone who could come to the party, who sent gifts/wishes and we'll keep you updated!

Some more cool pics...

We went driving around yesterday to find some rocks for our yard. Here's some more views not far from our house. Corbin, of course, needed to pee while out and had to pee on that bush! Note the surrounding area burned in a fire..don't know when. And this is little Caroline acting silly when we got home. You can see here all of her 6 teeth. She's almost ONE!

Another view of the majestic mountain from our driveway

This is how the red cliff looks on a cloudy, blustery day. This was taken from our driveway.

Less than 3 miles from our house...

The Shivwits Pauite Indian Reservation is just down the road from our neighborhood...maybe 5 miles. Prior to entering, we saw this little sign that read, "Anasazi trailhead" (less than 3 miles from our house to the trailhead & then maybe a mile or so hike in) so we had always wanted to check it out. Today was the day. It was 69 degrees out with a lil breeze and just beautiful. Gino's been renovating the guest bathroom and we all needed to get out of the house. We ran into a couple on the trail and asked them if there were some petroglyphs and they told us where to go. OH BOY! These were some of the best we've seen yet. There are tons of prehistoric sites in these parts but we never get tired of exploring and seeing them. I always imagine myself an Indian 1,000 or so years ago living here with none of this fast pace or technology...just me, my family, the blue skies, the river, the land and the animals. I imagine them painting or carving these petroglyphs into the sides and tops of these rocks to pass time. It is an awesome feeling being up there looking out..for animals, for the enemy, for friend or foe. WOW! And I continue to be thrilled from my toes up thinking, knowing that our new home is in the midst of this beautiful countryside. I'm like..WHOA! And we live right here! AHHH. Awesome!