Grand Canyon

Ok, so we went on our first camping trip. We bought the pop-up in September in WI and it got out here in Jan. We stayed in it one night in WI, but didn't really have to get things ready. So this was a true first for Patrick, Aaron, and I. We met our friends Dan and Linda Schuhmacher and their children Josh, Alexis, and Abreanna along with Dan's Parents, Fred and Betsy Schuhmacher in the Grand Canyon. We left Monday morning. We were all ready to pull out onto the main road out of our neighborhood and Patrick announces that he already needs to go potty! GRRR! So Mike backed up and went back around to the house. I took Patrick in only to have him "dribble!!" We stopped a couple times on the way up, mostly because Aaron needed to eat. Upon arriving at the Canyon we set up, well Mike did most of it, and visited. They hadn't met Aaron yet so that was quite a treat. We all made dinner and enjoyed each others' company. The kids played very nicely and were thrilled to be together again. We couldn't have a campfire so our time sitting outside was a bit limited. It was rather chilly (30s and 40s) at night so we had to use the heater. The bathroom was right across from our site which was nice, although there were NO showers. I wasn't thrilled with this. There were showers available, but you had to leave the campground and drive down the road. Not my idea of fun. Aaron slept very well for his first night in his pack and play. The next morning Mike and Dan hiked a bit into the canyon. The rest of us hung out and got breakfast ready. The guys arrived back in time to eat. We then got ready to head to the tower lookout about 25 miles away. It was Aaron's first ride in a backpack. He did well, once he was fed! It was very pretty and the boys hike up all the steps with us. That night we ate up leftovers. Then we decided to head out to view the sunset. That was a neat experience. Mike was also able to look at a couple planets through telescopes that were set up for a star gazers event. The kids were able to shower in Dan and Linda's camper which was awesome. They were FILTHY as they had been playing in the dirt most of the day. They treated the dirt like sand and were using buckets and shovels. It entertained them, but boy were they dirty. Patrick's skin color was gray by the end of the night! The next morning the Schuhmachers all packed up and were off by around 8am or so and headed back toward WI. We took our time and packed up and headed home with lunch in Flagstaff and a drive through Sedona. We got home Wednesday about 6pm. Showers were much needed that night!Aaron trying his hand at driving in the McDonald's parking lot during our lunch stop.
Mike setting up the camper under the supervision of Abreanna.
Abreanna and Patrick switched chairs which they thought was extra funny for some reason. Aren't they cute? They got along well and both seemed to have "attitude."
Patrick's new shirt from Aunt Linda and Uncle Dan.

Joshua gets to hold Aaron.