Cruising - (Day2) Zipline

 On the 4th platform they took pictures of us 

with our cruise ship in the background!

 Cynthia doing the cannonball to slow down!

 You can see one of the platforms 

with the lines going to and from it!

 Our guide checking our gear!

 This is me coming to the last platform.

I was getting brave enough to try some tricks!

We spent the day on Catalina Island. We signed up for zip lining. I was so scared. We got all harnessed up and received some instructions, and then we  were bussed to the top of the mountain. There were 10 people that we stayed with the whole 2 hours. We each had to zip to the next level, and when all of us were there we went on the next one. There were 5 different stages. The longest zip was over 1100 feet, and the highest was 300 feet above ground. We got going about 45 miles per hour. You can read about it here. I was so scared I had to just close my eyes and go over the edge. Doug also had a hard time on the first leg. Everyone would cheer as we each got to the platform. Our guides were great. They had to catch us and stop us so we didn't hit the platform wall. By the last zip, I actually let go and tried to do some moves for the camera they had set up there. We went from the top of the mountain to the beach. I would do it again!!!

Cruising - March 12-16th 2012 (Day1)

 Cynthia

 Doug

 The Inspiration

 The Queen Mary

 The Pool

 Cute Animals!

We went on our first ever cruise. I had never wanted to go on a cruise. I don't like the idea of being out in the middle of the ocean, and not be able to get off the ship. But when our granddaughters dance group was invited to dance on the ship, we decided to go. The ship was docked right next to "The Queen Mary". (If you have never stayed there, it is a cool hotel now. We stayed there a couple years ago for New Years Eve) Our cruise was a 4 night/5 day trip to Catalina Island, and Ensenada, Mexico.We were on the Carnival Inspiration. We had a balcony room (which is the only way I would go). In the first 5 minutes after boarding the ship, I had a little anxiety attack, and wanted off! But I took a deep breath, and made myself believe I was staying at a nice resort somewhere. It worked, and I was fine after that.We had a good time. I loved having the running track and gym on the ship, because it was cold and rainy and we never even got in our swimsuits.We enjoyed the different shows, and activities. It was fun seeing everyone all dressed up each night for dinner, and returning  to our room to see the cute towel "animals " that the crew had  left on our bed.

Knott's Berry Farm - March 11th, 2012

 Entrance

 Yes, we went on this scary ride!

 Us at the end of the fun day!

 Doug and his new "friends"

 The scariest roller coaster ever!

When we went to California for our cruise, we decided to go a couple days early. We spent 1 day with Beth and met her new boyfriend Dave. Then we spent a day at Knott's Berry Farm.I decided I would go on a few of the roller coaster rides, that normally I would have never gone on. It was very scary, but I survived.We had a fun day walking around enjoying all the beautiful gardens, riding on the train, stagecoach, checking out all the shops, eating junk food, etc. We ended the day going on the old wooden roller coaster. It was by far the worst ride I have ever been on. I hated every second of it, and I will NEVER go on it again. You can see the rest of the pictures here.

The Big Tree - March 3rd, 2012

 MaKayla's dented car:

 Grandpa and grandkids

 Andy

The kids keep telling us about "The Big Old Tree" that they have gone to a few times, so we finally drove to see it. We went with Brad's family. We also had Scott's kids for the weekend. It is out by Gunlock reservoir past the Indian Reservation. It is a huge old tree out by itself. We took a few pictures. While everyone else went geo-caching, Alex and I went down the road about a mile and collected Petrified wood. There is quite a bit of it just lying on the side of the road. Right before we were leaving, MaKayla called Brad and told him she had been in a little fender bender. She was ok, but a little shook up. We will have to come back when the tree has leaves and see the difference. Click here to see rest of the pictures.

Chuck A Walla Trail - February 25th, 2012

 Mandi, Sam, & Ali

 Sisters!

 The Arch

We took Ali, Mandi, and Sam for a hike. We went on the trailhead out behind our house. Mandi usually hates hiking, but she didn't want to be left behind. They had fun climbing all over the rocks. We hiked up to the arch. On the way back down, Mandi went running off around a corner, and all of a sudden we heard a scream of terror. We ran to her, and she was gone. She had lost her balance and gone over the edge. Thankfully, it was only 5 feet down. She did hit her arm on a metal water pipe, and was bleeding a little bit, but she convinced herself, she was dying and wouldn't stop screaming.. It is a good thing we were on the way out. We couldn't get to the car fast enough. Click here for the rest of the pictures.

President's Day Weekend - February 17th-20th, 2012

Doug, Cynthia, Tonya, Kevin at

 Montezuma's Castle

 Doug by the "Camo" tree

 Montezuma's Well

 Dwelling at the well!

 Lion!

 Tiger!

 Giraffe eating out of our hands!

 Our Guide!

 Old Buildings!

 Street Corner!

 Haunted Hotel...

We decided to go somewhere different this time. We drove 6 hours and met up with Tonya and Kevin. We stayed in Cottonwood Arizona. Every time we drive to Phoenix, we pass exits for some stuff we want to explore, so this time we finally went and did it. We went to: The Out of Africa Wildlife Park: http://www.outofafricapark.com/, Montezuma's Castle, and Montezuma's Well: http://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm, and the old mining town of Jerome Arizona:http://www.azjerome.com/. We had a great time. The weather was a little colder than normal, but we survived. We spent half a day at the Animal park. We took a Unimog safari tour. It took us right into the preserve, where we got to see the animals up close and feed them, etc.Our guide was the trainer for the Tigers, Lions, etc. so she got them to come right up to the fence and interact with us.  The giraffe came up and ate right out of our hands. The zebra's were beautiful. The ostrich tried to bite our bags and camera's. After the safari tour, we went to a Tiger Splash show and watched the white tiger swim and tease the crowds. For years, I thought Montezuma's Castle was a "real" castle. I was very surprised to find out it is an old Indian dwelling. It is a very cool place to see. It is a 5 story dwelling built high up in the side of a mountain. I can't imagine having to climb ladders everyday to get to your house. Those women must have been amazing. A few miles away is Montezuma's Well. It was very beautiful there. There are some very large trees called camouflage trees.  We spent a day exploring the mining town of Jerome. It is quite a drive on the old windy roads. This town is high up in the Verde Valley. The streets are very narrow, and the town is made up of OLD original houses built in the late 1800's.. They look like an earthquake would topple the whole town instantly. We had fun walking along the narrow streets. We went into the "Jerome Grand Hotel": http://www.jeromegrandhotel.com/ It is said to be haunted. It has been featured on the TV show "Ghost Hunters". To see all the pictures click here.

Christmas - December 24-25th, 2011

 Grandkid Tree!

 Ornament from Justin

 Picture through the years...

 Of course, we had to put up the train.

 Our Village!

 Waiting for Santa!

 Izzy, Mandi, & Ali

 Andrea & Alex

 Ellie & Luann

 Gwyneth

Doug reading The Christmas Story

(With his hat on, it was hard to be serious)

 Granddaughters modeling new pj's!

December was such a busy month. We went to a few programs that the grandkids were in. We put up a new tree this year. I call it my "grandkid" tree. It is my favorite. I put pictures of them on my tree every year, but I was getting too many, so it was time to have a tree just for them. Justin knows I collect Nativities, so he gave me a special ornament. He made a hole in the back for a light to go inside, and it glows through the ornament. It is very pretty. Scott's family was able to come before Christmas this year, so we had all the grandkids here for Christmas Eve. We had a nice program. They played their instruments, and we had a few stories and songs etc,. and then of course the opening of the pajamas. While the little kids were being put to bed, Doug and I went for a ride and listened to Christmas songs. We went and saw the lights on at the Temple, and then drove and saw all the cool lights around town. I wish Tonya and Kevin could have been here. Then it would have been perfect. It all went by so fast.....To see all the pictures, click here

Zion - December 16th- 17th, 2011

Doug and I decided to get away for the weekend (because we didn't go anywhere for our anniversary) so we stayed in Zion. We stayed in a lodge this time, instead of camping. We had a nice view of the Virgin River right out our front door. It was very peaceful and quiet. The shuttle buses have stopped for the winter, so we drove and hiked where ever we wanted. We walked to the petroglyphs that are right next to the campground. You can see the rest of the pictures here.