sedona

We joined Tara on her vacation this year and didn't want Julia to feel left out, so we went and joined her on hers as well...I am such a good friend. It was only 118 in Phoenix so it was a perfect time to get out of town and head north to Sedona for the day. I have been to Sedona several times but this was the first time I REALLY enjoyed it. Their cabin was gorgeous nestled back in the canyon, backing up to West Fork Creek, a side of Sedona I haven't spent much time in. The kids were so excited to see each other when we arrived, they were immediately off and exploring gathering rolly pollys. We let them play for a while before heading out on a little hike to play in the creek.

Taryn is petrified of snakes and in general a worrywort. Before our hike Gabe was kind enough to show her a picture of a snake on the back porch of the cabin...we assured her she would be fine and we wouldn't see any snakes...though everytime I turned around she was shutting doors making sure the snakes couldn't get in...we convinced her that she would be fine on the hike and we headed off into the beautiful canyon...

The kids LOVED the little water slides...

and swimming in the creek...

The kids found all kinds of treasures in the water...tadpoles, snails, fish, catepillars...Taryn was in heaven and VERY protective of all of her finds...determined to bring them all home with her and to keep them safe from the older boys. She had tadpoles cupped in her hand with some water for a while until she tripped and dropped them. Then she and Ben found a snail and a catepillar and settled to trek them back to the cabin on a rock.

We also found some little water snakes...and surprisingly Taryn didn't flip out, she seemed pretty curious.

Emma and Hadyn, were so cute playing in the water...

and sunbathing together...if only they could be this cute EVERY day...

We hiked a little farther down Oak Creek to a rope swing that everyone had fun on...

Everyone was tired (especially Dax) after all the fun and excitement in the creek, so we headed back to the cabin. Most of the kids were ahead of us with Gabe...when they saw a huge snake, the exact snake in the picture we told Taryn she would not see...of course. Much to Taryn's surprise the snake did not attack and they all survived...and mom was a liar...all in a days work.

We had an enjoyable rest of the day...eating lots of great food (thanks Andrew), playing baseball, hanging out and enjoying the beautiful weather. We finished the evening with a talent show where Katie (Julia's cousin) and Isaac stole the night with an impressive dance rountine (watch out Lil), Taryn demonstrated her monkey crawl (which no one can replicate) and Emma sang "Love Story" while Hadyn danced...it was an Emmy award winning night.

Amazingly enough I wasn't ready to leave (sound familiar)...we will just add to my list of things to go back and do again. All the kids had a blast and were so happy all day but it was back in the car...and back to 118 degrees...

Thanks so much for letting us come Julia...and ALL your family and for being so hospitable!! It was a blast and I can't wait to go back and explore more...and go get Taryn a new snail.

credits - These are all Julia's pictures...after seeing hers next to mine...I couldn't use any of mine, they just don't even compare...so thanks Julia for some fabulous pics too, as always...