Grand Canyon

While we spent a weekend at the Bagley cabin owur Andrew’s parents I drove us all to the Grand Canyon. 

Andrew was working remotely so he didn’t come and Berlin wasn’t feeling well so Elliot stayed behind to be with her.

It had been 15 years since Carol and Nev haven’t been to the Grand Canyon. It’s still just as incredible Avery single time!

I didn’t remember Nev being so scared of hights. We went on a short part of Bright Angel trail and he was so uncomfortable with the narrow trail switchbacks with drop offs.

Beatrix and I hiked a little further than everyone else to this natural bridge hole in the mountain the trial goes through.

I wish Beatrix were a little bit more afraid of heights. :)

We started out near the Bright Angel area and drove over to the main south rim visitors center later.

Rupert and Beatrix filled out the packet and both became Junior Rangers for the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

We did this for Saguaro National Park last year. I love that this is available. So fun for kids.

Rupert has his 4th grade park pass so we got in free. I love that we can do that. I also love that we live in a beautiful state with 3 national parks we’ve all been to including one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
 

Ostrich Ranch

Carol and Nev visited us for two weeks in June and it was such a great time.

 This is our 2nd time taking Carol and Nev to the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch and our 3rd time and we love it!

We love that you get to feed the animals. The food is part of the entrance fee.

Berlin also joined us and it was her first time.

We get to feed goats, bunnies, deer, parakeets, ducks, lorikeets, tortoises, and sting rays. So interactive and run!

It’s the kind of place we could return every year.

Everyone finds their own favorite. Berlin loves the sting rays, many of us love the lorikeets since they land on you and are so social, the ostriches are actually kind of scary and aggressive, you.m can “kiss a goat” by feeding it with its feed in your mouth. It’s an adventure!

Relay meet

 

Avery, Zara and Rupert all swam the relay meet. It’s by invite only and it’s always at Skyline aquatics. The coaches also do a race in between the freestyle relay and the inter medley relay. 

All three did both relays and they did great!

Afterwards Andrew took Beatrix and Rupert to get icecream and I took the older girls to get smoothie bowls. They’re our favorite! Plus I had a coupon.

Natalie came over after to start watching Anne of Green Gables. Sara said she’s been trying to get her kids to watch it worth no success.  So far Natalie is enjoying watching it with Zara.

Summer haircuts

 The photos posted out of order but Zara and Beatrix got summer haircuts over the weekend! Zara had about 8 inches cut and Bea around 5 inches.

 Of course they look cute no matter what but there’s something fresh about a nice haircut.

Zara had been wanting a to cut her hair for a week, or at least that’s when she first mentioned it to me.

At first dj wanted to wait until December but was convinced to just do it!

It’s been many years since she had her hair chipped since she’s been growing it out for so long.

Beatrix wanted to cut her hair just by seeing Zara get a haircut. Real FOMO going on.

With Beatrix growing out her bangs a haircut actually makes sense for her.

Sunday baking

 

Baking and Sundays just go together.

It doesn’t happen every week but I love baking on Sundays.

It feels good to create something instead of consuming.

Something yummy.

We live in a world of consuming. I definitely do my fair amount of scrolling instagram or reading a book.

But creating feels good on the inside.

And my house smells good too.

Elliot senior prom

Eliot and Berlin have been dating over 6 months and this is their third dance together. It’s actually my first time taking Elliot’s dance photos this school year. Of course Berlin looks beautiful and they are adorable together.

My photos uploaded backwards but here we go!

Such a good looking and fun group for prom! We love Taya, and I remember her date Adam being a long time friend of Elliot’s but everyone else were strangers to me.

We took photos at Papago Park and I struggled with lighting angles a bit but am overall happy with how the photos turned out.

 Theyr turned out great, right?! Avery also went to prom but I’m waiting to get her group photos before I post those. ;)