Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall

Sometimes, life presents you with an opportunity that is completely out of the blue!  While having breakfast at the hotel, Darin struck up a conversation with a gentleman who was obviously a military veteran.  During the brief time, he mentioned that he was one of the representatives of the 'Traveling Replica Vietnam Memorial Wall' which was in the parking lot right around the corner from the hotel!  So, of course, we packed the children into the Bronco and went to check it out.  It was sobering.  The traveling wall is 3/4 the size of the wall in D.C.  It was painful to visually see how many of our people were lost in such a few short years.  How many of these souls left young families behind?  How many of these souls were too young to have even had a chance to really experience life?  I look at Charlie, he just had his 19th birthday - how many of these names belonged to soldiers younger than he is now?

Dad and Jeannie's Wedding

One thing that I never thought about as a child was attending my father's wedding.  As an adult, it was a bit disconcerting being one of the 'Daughter's of the Groom'!  That being said, I couldn't be happier for my dad or Jeannie.  She is such an awesome addition to our family and is just sarcastic enough to fit right in!  The ceremony was beautiful.  The reception was filled with good food, laughter, and conversations.

Dad with the grandkids: Sam, Tori, Charlie, LaKara, Damien, Jordan, Airian, Jaidyn, Jacelynn

Robert, Best Man  and Debbie, Maid of Honor

The 'I Do's'

The musical interlude - thank goodness we had practiced often with no music because the words and music cut out in the middle of the song and we were left to do the rest A'Capella fashion - from what everyone said, we did all right!

The Happy Couple

The cake

The Grooms' Cake

Darin, Stacie, Stan, Jeannie, Sheila, Robert, Shannon, Corinna

Stacie, Stan, Jeannie, Robert, Sheila

Nick, Jean, Stan, Jeannie, Terri

Tori, Stacie, Jaidyn, Stan, Damien, Jeannie, Airian, Charles, Darin

Robert, LaKara, Stan, Jeannie, Corinna

Sheila, Jacelynn, Stan, Jordan, Jeannie, Sam, Shannon

Back row: LaKara, Stan, Jeannie, Charles, Tori, Sam
Front row: Airian, Damien, Jordan, Jaidyn, Jacelynn

Robert, Stan, Jeannie, Debbie

The Grand Canyon at Sunrise

While planning the trip to my Dad's wedding in Arizona, it occurred to me that Damien and Airian have never seen the Grand Canyon.  So, of course, I had to add that into the travel plans.  I, however, have seen the Canyon numerous times; but, one thing that I had not seen was sunrise at the Canyon...  So, we left Junction about Eleven o'clock Thursday evening and traveled all night.  When we arrived at the Canyon, I had enough time to bail from the Bronco, make it down to the rim, find a spot that called to me, and sit in the quietness of the morning for about 5 minutes before the sun broke over the ridge. I can't describe or put into words the breathtaking beauty of the crisp morning air and the walls of the Canyon being slowly lit by the sun.  It was a moment of peace and knowledge that always, the sun will rise, a new day will dawn, and we will have another chance to light the world in our own unique way.

I had not ever been to the Tower on the east entrance to the Canyon.  It was great to be able to have a new place to explore as a 'new' family.  

It's SO close!!  Always remember (Darin), "Don't feed the wildlife!!"

The English teacher in me had a real hard time leaving this sign alone.....

The children (clockwise): Airian, Jaidyn, Charles, Damien, Tori

From the bottom of the tower looking up to the ceiling

While they were being sworn in as Junior Rangers, the children were able to try on the Rangers' hat.  One of the highlights of visiting any National park is learning about the park through the Junior Ranger Program.  It gives kids a great opportunity to learn about park specific wildlife, features, and history.  In the end, they are sworn it and given a badge.  They really feel that they have become a part of something bigger than themselves.

Charles in the Rangers' hat.

Jaidyn in the Rangers' hat.

Damien in the Rangers' hat.

All in all, the day was beautiful.  We explored, ooh'd, and awe'd and make some memories that will last a lifetime.