Grand Canyon

Our next stop was the Grand Canyon. We spent an entire day there. Doug loved it. The kids and thought it was amazing to see, but a little scary :)

Doug brought his star gazing binoculars. We were able to see the Colorado River and some people  down in the canyon.

We also watched a movie about it.

The kids really just wanted to climb on the rocks.

We walked along the Trail of Time. It was a about a mile long. The kids would have enjoyed it more, but they were hungry. We ate lunch at a restaurant at the end of the trail.

I took this picture of my crazy husband really quick, then called for him to come back. He was way to close to the edge. 

Doug and Jordan are right next to the fence on the other side of the tree. The other kids and I stayed back on the bench.

Jackson is eating the "best ice cream ever"

Miss Mackenzie

Coleman

Jordan

Doug brought his telescope to watch the sunset (with his sun filter, of course! :)) and then he looked at the stars in the very dark sky. People started staring at him as he was setting it up. He let other people look through if they wanted to.

We watched the sunset:

After it was dark, the kids and I stay in the warm car while Doug stargazed. Jackson was entertaining them all with games he made up. After awhile, we all got out of the car to look at the stars for a little bit. But when we got to Doug he was already putting his telescope away because it was so cold.

Hoover Dam

From Sandy Valley we drove to the Hoover Dam.  It was pretty cool to see, but really hot. It was also really high up, which made me nervous for the Grand Canyon the next day.

So pretty!

I think the kids' favorite part was that we went into 2 time zones and 2 states.

We didn't stay too long because it was so hot and most of us were wearing pants and shoes instead of shorts and flip flops. 

Driving in our new car is great. We could set up the Kindle in between the front 2 seats and everyone could see it. We didn't have to take turns so everyone was much happier. We also listened to a few audiobooks (throughout all our driving, not just on the way to the Hoover Dam :)) 

Doug drove the entire trip.

Sandy Valley

We spend the next day at Grandma's house. 

She always plays fun games with the kids. In this one, they had to try to guess which was hiding something. If they were right, they got some candy. The kids loved it!

Doug took the boys out to explore the junk.

There are several old tractors.

Doug showing Jackson how to work a tractor.

Jordan was excited to be crushing something :)

We even found a boat.

Doug and Jackson also spent a lot of time playing football.

Coleman helped Grandma with her gardening.

Jordan trying to hammer into this wood, but it was too difficult so he started pulling the nails out instead.

Mackenzie wanted to sit on the tractor too after hearing that the boys did it.

Mackenzie loves Spot the cat.

Coleman finally worked up the courage to touch it... with one finger.

Then a few more fingers.

Then he did a whole hand! :)

They tried to get Spot to into this cage.

Grandma's house

Jordan pushed the wheelbarrow around.

Doug, the boys, and Grandma played the Farming Game.

We always love visiting Grandma!