A Crazy Christmas

Here are some pictures from Christmas. We moved into our house on Saturday and Christmas came 3 short days later. We didn't have a Christmas tree, so the girls drew one for us.

Hoover Dam

Just a few hours past the Grand Canyon we crossed Hoover Dam. Since 9/11 they don't allow large trucks so Beau had to go a different route. But, we wanted the kids to see the dam before they close it to everyone. As many of you may know, they are building a bypass bridge that you can see in this last picture. It is really a sight to see. Apparently, it is about 900 feet high. It will be sad when you can't actually go on the dam anymore.

And, thank goodness for all the snow we are getting!! Look how low that water is! Yikes!

The Grand Canyon

Our next stop was in Flagstaff, AZ. Flagstaff is beautiful! It was cold but at last we were in mountains with pine trees and snow.

The south rim of the grand canyon is about 40 miles from Flagstaff. The canyon is just overwhelming! The kids were in awe. They didn't understand what the big fuss was before we got there. Beau tried to explain that a canyon is like the opposite of a mountain...but I don't think they were prepared for the grandiosity of it all.

And, for me, the horriblizer in the family, I was riddled with anxiety about the mile long fall waiting if one of the children decided to go over the edge. (OK, I have to leave Beau in that equation. He is the daredevil 12-year-old-at-heart in our family.) At the gift shop we learned that between 10 and 12 people each year die at the canyon. Thankfully, not one Carlson took the plunge. Although, I think there was a moment where Beau was tempted to send Sadie (the dog) over the edge :(

VEGA

So, this is it...The famed Rory Schepisi's restaurant. We didn't get a chance to eat there. This was at about 7 am on our second day of travelling. We stayed the night before in Amarillo, TX, which is about 40 miles from Vega.

Yes, We Moved...

I thought you'd all like to see my view for about 1900 miles. We saw Oklahoma for the first time. Beau tried to get me to drive this mammoth truck...but, I'm not crazy!!!

SNOW!

The kids are so happy to be in the snow again!!

We have a lot of catching up to do. I will be working on several posts from the past month that has brought a lot of change and adventure for us! We have been without Internet for the past month and I for one, feel like an amputated limb has been reattached with it on in our new house...finally!

A Fun Visit

We recently had a fun visit from my mom and her husband Val. If any of you know my mother, you know how much she doesn't appreciate being photographed. So, I expect to get an urgent phone call from her soon telling me to remove this picture. But, until then, here it will remain :)

We were able to visit the Clinton Library while they were here and spent a beautiful day at Petit Jean Mountain State Park.

Fall in Arkansas

I love the Fall!

This tree was glowing the other day when I drove past it and I just had to take a picture.

We have decided on a moving date. Beau has 9 days off in the middle of December so we will be leaving Arkansas on the 16th.

As long as they are, we love these cross-country road trips. This time we will see the Grand Canyon, cross Hoover Dam and we will get to go through Vega, TX.

Vega, Texas, you ask???

The tiny town of Vega was the focus of a silly reality TV show a few years ago called "Popularity Contest" and is also the home of Rory Schepisi's restaurant. Rory was my favorite contestant on the show and was recently a finalist in the most recent "Next Food Network Star" which I also watched faithfully. Way too much TV, I know! But, I am giddy about going through Vega!

We'll let you know what our new address is very soon.

Off to snow in Nevada! Yay!

Pumpkin Patch 2007

We had a lot of fun visiting a pumpkin patch in Mayflower, Arkansas last month!

10 Years Old!

Megan had a birthday last month...and, yes, I am a procrastinator. Should have posted this a while ago. Anyway, Miss Megan has entered double digitdom. She is pretty proud of that.

I was just remembering that last year at about this time we were having a discussion about whether or not she should get a later bedtime. Her most compelling argument was,

"Mo-om! I'm almost a pre-teen."

Oh, really???

"Well, I'm almost old...so, um...no."

Actually, Megan is probably now due for an extension on her bedtime. She really is getting big!

She is such a unique and talented girl and lots of fun to have in our family!