We went. We saw. We drank it in. We took fifteen little kids (we went with Dave’s brother and sister and their families too) and no one fell off the edge. I can’t believe I’ve never been there before. I fell in love. It is GORGEOUS. I wish pictures could capture the complete grandeur of this place.
do you think these cousins like each other??…
Dave looks so excited to be getting a kiss…
cousins…
Dave and his brother and sister…
I snuck away and got to watch the sunset with Lucy while everyone else played a great game of wiffle ball at the campground. Again, I wish my pictures could do it justice.
…and that I didn’t have a 24 pound baby on my arm while trying to take them
the best S’mores ever around the campfire. We found out that this is the way to do it: act like you’re camping and get all the fun stuff done at the campground and then go to a Holiday Inn and sleep in a bed. 
I got up early to go watch the sunrise by myself. I am going to sound super cheesy but I cried. It was so incredibly beautiful I could hardly stand it. Again, my pictures definitely lack the luster I felt while watching in awe.
there’s my shadow…
morning slam dunk contest in the pool…these boys had so much fun.
I couldn’t resist taking a picture of this couple with matching hair-dos…
handsome guy…
this is the lodge that Dave’s grandparents managed right outside the Grand Canyon…
What a great trip we had. We didn’t even hit traffic which was a huge plus. So, all in all, Fall Break was a success. The trip took over the kids’ gloom about the hamster from earlier in the week and we topped off our week with no school by purchasing our second pet, Lily the white hamster. So far so good.
Shawni! What a fun trip you had. It always makes me so happy when others get to go and enjoy where I grew up. (Like I own the place or something!) Sedona and the Grand Canyon were regulars for me!
Give me a call if you really want to learn some Thai cooking. I don’t know how good I’ll be at it but I have authentic recipes and we can go take a trip to Lei Lei’s market (Dobson and Warner I think?) and see how we do. I can’t wait to try it. I’m already missing my Thai life!
Are you kidding, these pics are fabulous of the canyon AND the kids! Looks like SOOO much fun! What an adorable bunch of kids!
So happy to hear that you’ve already adopted Lily to fill the void left by dear little Gabby. That is a day you and the kids will never forget!
Love you forever,
Mom
Oops, I don’t know how I got listed as Julie. It’s really me…mom!
Great pictures. I am so glad you all deceided to take another shot with the hampster.
Thought about you kids the whole time you were at Grand Canyon. So fun to know that you were making that trip. The pictures are fabulous! What a cute bunch of kids! Your pictures of the canyon are so great – no camera can truly captures something so magnificent. So glad you got to see it!
I love reading your posts and seeing your wonderful pics. I would of been right next to you crying at the beautiful sunrise. What a creation!
Thanks for taking me to the Grand canyon. I loved the photos and felt like I got a little glimpse of the beauty. I want to take my kids to the Grand Canyon someday.
Gorgeous pics as always Shawni! Looks like you guys had a blast.
I am so sorry about Gabby…but I have to admit, I was laughing for like 10 minutes when I saw the eulogy book, “she got stepped on” “she died after only one day”, Your kids are hilarious! I hope they feel better about their loss soon!
love you guys!
Looks like you guys had a blast. I probably just barely missed you. I went on a photo trip to northern arizona myself. Go check out my blog and click on my flickr link.
(www.deltanner.com) I love Northern Arizona
Del
What a beautiful family! Seriously, you are blessed!
I just wanted to let you know about a giveaway I’m hosting at my site for some great American made products. Please stop by and enter!
Thank you!
FUN! I love the Grand Canyon…it’s so grand 🙂 Awesome pictures. I am in amazement every time I see a picture of Christy, how much she and Annie look alike. Beautiful sunset.
shawni-thanks for capturing the matching buzz cuts. What a cute couple!
That trip looked/sounded amazing. I bet your kids loved it too. Such a great way to get there minds off the loss in the family. Can’t wait to see you soon.
These are beautiful pictures! Looks like you had fun. I haven’t ever been there either, but hope to get there soon. I totally thought you were camping, until you said something about the hotel. LOL Looks like a fun place to stay. That’s awesome that you got to sneak away to see the sunset/sunrise. Your posts are always so great… chock full of details! 🙂
i LOVE these pictures. the colors are so awesome! for sure one of god most beautiful creations. glad you had such a great time.
Looks like you guys had a blast! I have been wanting to get to the Grand Canyon and hike rim to rim. I’ll have to do that sometime without the kiddos. Love your pictures, and your words made me cry, so no judging here! The matching haircut couple made my day.