Polar Express

We went to Williams, AZ and rode the Grand Canyon Polar Express. We were thoroughly entertained by our southern hostess and her dancing:

This is just a theme ride similar to what the Heber creeper does, but the trains are full sized.

Everyone received christmas bells as the ride mirrored the movie.

The kids enjoyed the hotel swimming pool much more than the train:

I think that the kids would be content on vacations just to swim.

Or splash:

This hotel had a pool, but no espn.

Some were prepared w/goggles

A little color for some charm:

Smiling for the camera comes easy in the pool.

The next morning we woke to about a foot of snow on the ground and we decided to check out the Grand Canyon (south rim).

The Grand Canyon is awesome enough. The snow made it even more spectacular:

We never imagined throwing snowballs into the Grand Canyon.

Incredible views:

This day was a photographer's dream.

The evergreens were heavy-laden:

The shadows of the mountains moved quickly like high speed film:

These cliffs had quite an updraft on this day.

That's all for now. Bye!

Wrestling is very different this year

Did all the competitive wrestlers just disappear? There just isn't much of a challenge this year and even the older, bigger wrestlers can't beat Andrew. The coach asked for volunteers and a few kids raised their hands. The coach picked Andrew and paired him up with the biggest and most muscular kid in the group, who is an experienced wrestler at least 15 pounds heavier. This was in front of everyone and I thought Andrew might get taken apart, but instead he dominated the kid to the point that the kid got really frustrated and spent the entire match trying hard to get off his back. This video shows Andrew's biggest competition in his weight class this year. It is a kid that gave him some close matches last year. Not this year:

Some giggle time:

CO Trip (beware: long post)

Jessie knew we'd like this place called the paint mines. Like something out of "Star Wars", this was some of the most unusual scenery imaginable. It was like a small Bryce Canyon with many different colors, including pink.

This was the leader of the sand people, I think. It emerged to protect it's domain.

Cool cubbies were everywhere.

The sandstone was actually pretty sharp, because the crust was full of quartz. Most of the kids found that out.

A closer shot.

The high plains wind was relentless.

Mushroom?

These sandstone formations did not seem to be in the path of any streams.

Tight squeeze.

There were a lot of little hides, but nothing we'd actually call caves.

Have some fun, dang it!

We only had the energy to see about 1/4 of this place.

Traversing the formations.

No one got killed climbing, so that was a success.

Another one of those dang cousins.

Rock on!

At the funhouse.

No caption necessary.

Driveable bean bags.

Where else would Luke be?

The new look.

Give an inch and they think they're a ruler.

Let's get this party started.

If I lose, I'm going to blame the car.

I should be driving.

Now that is a real smile.

Kid heaven.

Don't make me get off.

Fun, fun, fun

Everyone had a blast.

Even frog girl.

Smiling on cue.

Under the kissing camels formation.

The boy who refers to himself in 3rd person.

Colorado River geology: incredible! The kids: not sure.

One good baby

The mountaineer

Support your local geology.

This looked man-made.

Pretty stuff!