Out of Africa

Day 3: Out of Africa Wildlife Park

We started Thursday with breakfast at the golf course clubhouse (site of the wedding reception).  It was a beautiful breakfast overlooking the red rocks.

 We drove about 30 minutes south of Sedona to this wildlife park.  We started our adventure on a safari bus ride.  It was the best part of the park.  The animals came right up to the bus and we were able to feed them.

Mom and Aunt Linda on the Safari bus.

 The rest of us on the Safari bus.

 Aunt Linda feed the giraffe a carrot lips to lips!

 up close and personal!

 Emmy trying to pet the animals.

 Keelin feed the camel a carrot.

 Drew did too!

 Keelin wore her Safari outfit since we were going to the Safari!

 TIGERS!

 Our family with a monsoon in the distance.

 Grandpa is tired...Emmy is NOT tired!

 Emmy was dancing to the music at the "tiger splash" show.

 It was fun to watch the tigers play.

 We met everyone for dinner at a Mexican restaurant in downtown Sedona.

Hiking

Day 1: Tuesday

We flew into Phoenix on Tuesday around noon.  The vacation started out with me leaving my camera bag on the shuttle bus on the way to the car rental.  My dad and I spent almost an hour trying to get it back but had no success :(  Not only was my good camera in the bag, but my Garmin running GPS watch and my Ipod shuffle were in there too!  The grand total value= $1,100.  So...we went to Walmart to get diapers and wipes for Emmy and Drew bought me a new Cannon Rebel T3.  I ended up taking over 600 pictures during the trip so I have the memories and an early Christmas present too.

Day 2: Wednesday

We started the day with a hike around the beautiful red rock that Sedona is known for.  We couldn't find the trail my parents were looking for and come to find out we didn't park in the correct parking area!  We took a different trail around Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.  Click HERE to see our trail information.

 Bell Rock behind Drew and I

 My parents and Bell Rock.

 Courthouse Butte is behind Drew and I.

 The endless beautiful views of Red Rock!

 Drew and my dad decided to go off trail to climb.

 It was a flat trail we hiked on.  It did not go up in elevation.  It was a loop around the red rock.  Although it was not hard hiking...it was HOT!

 cactus

Karens guided the way.

That evening we invited my aunts, uncles, and cousins over for grilled hamburgers at my parents' house.  It was a fun evening having 16 of us together for a relaxing dinner.

Sedona Home

While staying in Sedona, AZ for a week for my brother's wedding, my parents rented a house right on the golf course where the wedding took place!  It was a BEAUTIFUL home!

 the entry

 the living room

 Drew and I's room

 our bathroom

 the kitchen

the dining room

I didn't take pictures of my parents' "GRAND MASTER SUITE", my grandma's room, or the room (with a bunk bed) Keelin stayed in!  For as big as the home was...we did not have to do any "baby" proofing for Emmy.  It was very modern and simple!

Emmy's 2nd Birthday...Early!

Today we celebrated Emmy's 2nd Birthday...a little early.  We planned to have an open house since my parents were going to be in town, but we ended up making it Emmy's birthday too.

It was so hot that we only went outside to eat and then we ended up back inside.

Emmy and her tissue paper cape!

Emmy was showing her daddy that she had chewed up all of her m&m's.  Doesn't it look like she was surprised by one of her presents?

Loving Elmo!

Emmy became "the present"!!!

Sitting on her new potty chair...reading her Elmo book.

Ashlyn had some present fun!

The cakes

Keelin with her buddies...Hannah and Maddie.

They were getting ready for the ball!!!

My friend Jamie posted some really cute pictures from Emmy's party!

Click HERE to see some of her photos.

First Day of School

Both girls were up and ready for the first day of school by 5:45. 

We went outside to take some pictures at 6am.  A few ladies walking by said, "Isn't it a little early for taking pictures?"  I told them it was the first day of school.

Keelin said while eating her breakfast, "Mommy, I can't eat my breakfast because my belly is nervous."

Keelin by her preschool.  She was in the 3-4 year old (Caterpillar) class last year...This year she is in the 4-5 year old (Butterfly) class.

Keelin and her best buds...Maddie and Hannah
Keelin had a great first day (and a great first week!)

Keelin's Hair Cut

Keelin before going to get her haircut.  She told me she was sick of her Rapunzel hair.  It was too HOT.

 Keelin couldn't believe all the hair on the ground was hers!! She was in awe!

All done!