The Grand Canyon....FINALLY:)

So Chris and I have been married for 14 1/2 years and have lived in AZ the entire time.  We have taken some amazing trips over the years but had NEVER made up to the Grand Canyon right here in AZ.  Well, fall break was upon us and we had absolutely no plans--between Carlie's rehearsal schedule and Ethan's basketball schedule we really couldn't do much of a trip.  So we were not going anywhere and I was totally fine with it but then....just like so many of our other trips that just happen....Chris said one night, "So I have some Marriot points for hotel nights, why don't we take off for a couple days to northern AZ."  WHY NOT?!:)  So we drove up to Prescott, AZ late on Thursday night--after Carlie got out of rehearsals--and saw as much of northern AZ as we could in 1 1/2 days:)

Our first stop...Grand Canyon!!!  Yahoo!!!  And it was spectacular!  I've always been told that pictures don't really capture the beauty of the canyon and after seeing it with my own eyes, I totally agree:

There were 3 trumpeters sitting on different ledges echoing each other--made for a really cool mini-concert!

She's just so darn CUTE!!!  Couldn't resist taking a pic of "Gangsta Tate"

Ethan like to give his mom heart-attacks!

On Day 2 we drove through Sedona, AZ.  I think this is the most gorgeous area of all of AZ.  LOVED it!  

My favorite pic of the day!

My kids can NEVER resist these silly things!

On our way home we also hit "Montezuma' Castle."  NOT as cool as the Gila Cliff Dwellings in NM but still worth the stop.  You don't actually get to go inside this dwelling (in NM you do get to go inside) so we walked around the outside and took some pics.  Really interesting history to this place.  People lived here for about 400 years and then they suddenly disappeared and they are several theories why but no one knows for sure. 

We then had to rush back home for rehearsal and a game:)  But hey!  We made it to the Grand Canyon FINALLY!  Huge check off our list!  Plus it's always fun to get out of town for a few days as a family.  We love family trips no matter how long or short:)