Yes, I am still alive...

...barely. It is summer you know. Kids are out of school and in "full-argue-about-every-stupid-thing-they-can-think-of" mode. Husband is finally back to work after a two week vacay. And we survived a camping trip that took us around our beautiful state of Arizona.

We usually camp in San Diego at the beach, but for some reason we decided to stay around these here parts. It was beautiful, and fun, but we all decided that next year we were definitely going to the beach.

In my usual "whacked-out-frazzled-mom" fashion, I forgot the camera. I wasn't too stressed though, 'cuz I knew Hallie and Hannah each had theirs. They'd document the trip, right?

Right?

As I sat downloading Hannah's pics, I was amazed at the beauty of some of them, and dismayed (only a teensy weensy little bit) that they were mostly landscape shots. She must have taken 150 pictures, and only about 20 of them have actual people in them. Lots of landscape, rocks, bugs, and lizards, though!!!

So here is a sampling of Hannah's "Arizona 2011" Porfolio. They are totally out of order, too, because my new computer mouse won't let me click-and-drag photos like the old one. I need to download them backwards for them to appear in order. Does anyone else have this problem, or am I just losing it?

Wait a minute, don't answer that.

Oh, and ignore the date stamp on the photos if you can see it. Hannah really needs to step it up on the date stamp!!!

1. The last place we visited was Montezuma's Castle. I love the shady little walk to get to it. Perfect as a last stop because it's not strenuous at all.

2. View from the top of Tuzigoot. There were 14 people in our party and she managed to get pictures with not one single one of us in it.

3. View from the bottom of Tuzigoot. This place is really cool. You should go.

5. This was taken as we were leaving Sedona.

6. The Arteest, herself.

7. This little turkey was dirty the whole time!!! We cleaned her up just enough to drive home so people wouldn't think we were homeless. You should have seen the tub after her bath when we got home. Disgusting!!!

8. This was taken the day before we came home. I always crack up every time I come to the Kaibab Trail at the Grand Canyon because this is what's at the top: a pay telephone!!! You'd be hard pressed to find one of these just about anywhere, but at the top of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World? Not to worry! You can still call home to Aunt Ethel and tell her all about the canyon!

(on a side note: we were still getting reception on our cell phones)

9. Weaving back and forth on the Kaibab Trail. Curtis' sister Cindy had been in town visiting from Georgia, so we invited them to camp with us and drive up to the Grand Canyon. We are so glad they did. Between us there were 11 kids. It was soo fun!

10. Hallie taking a picture of cousin Matheson pretending to hold up the cliff.

11. Most of the crew, resting before heading back up.

12. So beautiful.

13. Hannah and cousin Jocelyn.

14. Here we are. It was hard getting us all to hold still for a picture. I felt super gross because I was on DAY 3 without a shower and Zane had a fever. But here we are.
15. Another pretty view.



16. This was taken on DAY 1 while driving to Oak Creek through Sedona.



17. This is probably my favorite, taken the morning of DAY 2. I love the sun peeking through the trees at Oak Creek. "Great photo taking, Hannah!"

18. End of DAY 1, and yes we washed her face periodically, though you wouldn't think so by the state of her face.

19. Home Sweet Home. We camped in the Cave Springs campground right along Oak Creek. Watch out for the trees. I accidentally backed into one of them and scuffed up my car alittle. :(


20. Zane in his "Spock Track Suit", playing in the fire. Good times, good times!!!


21. This is on DAY 1, we'd been there exactly 6 hours and look at that face already!

We also went to Slide Rock one of the days, but Hannah failed to bring her camera, shame on her! Hopefully Hallie took some.

So there it is! Our camping trip according to Hannah.