The Much Improved Drive Home

Since the drive to Arizona was the "drive from hell", Rock and I decided to take a different route home, and I am pleased to report that it was wonderful and beautiful. We went via Flagstaff and the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon. Even though we didn't go to the Canyon we saw some beautiful scenery (pictures taken mostly through the dirty car window), and just by chance spent our first night at the Zion National Park in a hotel right at the entrance. We drove through some of the park in the dark, so next morning we went back in for a few miles to take pictures (not through the dirty car window) and watched the sunrise over the grandiose mountains of Utah. We experienced several weather patterns on the way home from rolling green hills to snow covered mountains and even drove through some snow on a mountain pass or two! Who knew we would be going right through Zion National Park, until I called ahead for a hotel and recognized the "Zion" name in the hotel....thank goodness for small favors. We spent our second night in Oregon and arrived in Renton on a Friday. A very pleasant return.

Ride em cowboy!

Bye Bye Irvins

Pub Night out

Cute little Skyler

We love vino and cheese as all three grand dogs look on!

Bye Tinks and Arizona.....

More Fun in the Sun

Well, no one had a desire to spend another day at the ball field in the sun, or go out to dinner, or anywhere. We Washingtonians just wanted to enjoy rest, relaxation and fun in the Arizona sun. Amya loves to swim and was perfectly content to stay at Aunty Danielle's. The Irvins had to leave on Sunday. A short but sweet trip.

I am staying right here and playing in this water

I love my Aunty Danielle

Sake Bombers

My turn to eat

And drink!

Splash, splash

Grandma says to always wear a hat in the hot sun

OK

Bathing with Mommy and Aunty Danielle is so fun

Fun and Family In the Sun

So good to be warm at last. Rock and I had two days of quality time with Danielle and just hung out. We met Dionne, Brian and Amya on Friday and got to see our baby walk (for our first time). We went to a very fun flea market but mostly watched Amya waving at everyone and walking up to them. She really is a very friendly little person and we don't wonder who she takes after! We then met Cliff and Sue at the baseball field to see a Mariners game. It was so hot that day that I mostly walked around. I did, however, get to see Ken Griffey hit his home run in between running after Amya. Danielle met us for Mexican food after the game. The whole weekend we just hung around Danielle's complex, which has two swimming pools, barbecue areas and all the amenities. Amya loved the water wall! Everything around Danielle is within walking distance, which is so nice. That day we took advantage of a bar and restaurant and were introduced to "Sake Bombers!" We never did make it to our baseball game that day, nor did we go out to dinner. I guess the DeWitts and Irvins were just having way too much fun. The Irvins left on Sunday and on Monday and Tuesday Rock and I just shopped, walked, and hung out. Danielle and I went to see "Confessions of a Shopoholic!" Hmmmmm. A very fun movie. Leave the men at home though. Rock was faced with the drive home Wednesday after spending our last night answering questions in a trivia game at an Irish Pub called "The Skeptical Chymist!" Talk about brain power lost!

My bikini from last Easter fits me now Grandma

Go Griffey

See me walk Grandpa and Grandma


Take me out to the ballgame.......

I like the bracelet you made me Aunty Danielle.

What are you drinking Grandpa?

Meet Sport and Muffin

And Tinks

You are so cute, I think I will give you a hug

Watch out everyone, here I come.

Watch out everyone, here I come.

Sliding Out to Arizona

Well, we "slid" out as planned on March 16 although on Sunday it was doubtful as to whether we would be able to leave!! Rock just drove like a crazy person getting us to Medford to spend our first night with Katie and Mike Morrow (Susan's daughter and son-in-law). We had a very nice visit while eating pizza Katie had ordered in. Sorry Heysus, that I was the first to see the wedding album...We left next morning and drove straight down I-5. This day Rock was more crazy than the day before and just kept going and going till we came to the "stopover" town only one hour away from Phoenix. Yes, good old Blythe. I will not forget this town as all we could find at 2 a.m. was the "Roach" Motel! Oh well, I was too tired to look at scuzzyville anyway....I-5 is really boring (and all I saw were a few rolling hills) especially when you can't even stop to take a picture. By the way, most of my pictures were taken from a moving vehicle out of the window on this trip (except for the family of course!). I can only say Rock must really miss his driving. We got to Arizona on the 18th as planned and were so happy to see Danielle and meet Tinks, my new grand dog!


I see Phoenix (through groggy eyes)

I like my new Grandpa