Incline

So we were having breakfast on Sunday morning and thought "Hey, why not- lets climb the incline"  So we did and took the little girls on their first trip up.

Here are the girls at the bottom while we waited for Dad to park the car.

Olivia dominated the incline.  She took charge and did not stop.

Cyan finished which is more than a lot of grown-ups.

The Johnson 4 at the top

Cyan's Program

Cyan had a program at her school recently.  It was unique in that each 3rd grade class wrote, cast, and directed their own story.  Cyan's was titled Life of a Dreamer and was about underwater creatures that were looking for the secret pearl that could solve all the problems.  Cyan was cast as Donna the Dolphin and she had a number of lines.  I realized the day of the program that I never saw her practice.  She must have had all the necessary practice because she did great.

Cyan is on the right with the blue dolphin hat on.

Day 9

The plan for Day 9 was to drive home :(  We left early and stopped in Sedona.

Playing the chimes that were downtown Sedona.

 Us with the beautiful Sedona landscape.

 When we left Sedona we headed home.  However, we were stuck in the worst traffic jam in history.  We were stuck for 3 hours and didnt move 4 miles.  Our girls were amazingly patient and we made it through.  You cannot tell but we were stopped behind this truck.

 More traffic

 What this traffic made James feel like.

Day 8

On Day 8, James went to a shooting range with a friend so I took the girls for thier first pedicure.  Cyan was very excited to go but she did not like the clipping or filing at all.

 Here are the results.

 Lunch at Rubio's Fish Taco (since we never had eaten there)

That evening GG took the girls to a ballet preforamce of The Jungle Book.  The talked about it all the way home, I think the especially like the costumes.

 Funny faces

Day 7

The morning of Day 7 was spent at the Hassayampa River Preserve.  Apparently, we are not destined to be great birders because the only birds we saw were in the lake.

Cyan watching an Snowy Egret with binoculars.

Day 6

A spring training game was on the schedule for Day 6.  We headed to "the Valley" (as GG calls it) and shockingly we were early.  To kill time we stopped by a shopping center where we were planning on having dinner.  Here are some pictures:

So typical for Arizona (lot of old people - ha ha)

Watching the fountains

The girls running through the water although they stayed dry.

 At the game.  We saw the White Sox and the Padres and even had a shady spot.  (Olivia looks thrilled again)

 At dinner at Margaritaville (I ordered a "Cheeseburger in Paradise)

The girls ran played in the water again.  Cyan timed it wrong and got soaked.  Since she was the only one wet she demanded that Olivia get wet and Olivia refused.  Of course, then Cyan cried.

 In front of the Bellagio style water fountains.  I had to force Cyan to smile because she was still mad about the water incident.

Day 5

On Day 5, we first had some yard work for GG to finish then we visited GG's museum.  My kids really like the downstairs area that has a replica town and home.

Here is our picture after our tour.  (As usual Olivia looks thrilled)

Here is something funny.  Notice all the Johnson's in shorts and t-shirts, then look at cutey GG in a fleece jacket and pants.

Day 4

The agenda for Day 4 was to hike Vulture Peak, all 4 of us.

Here we are at the start.  We are headed to the top of the peak above James' head.  It is a mile and a half walk to the base.  I was most worried that Olivia would lose interest by the time we got to the base.

 I turned around and found darling Olivia doing this...

 Daddy and girls. 

We ean into another group of young men who were coming down about at the base of the peak. They asked if we were headed to the top and we said "that is the plan". He said "You guys can do it" Then looked right at Olivia and said "especially you". That encouragement from a stranger was all she needed to push her to the top.

Us at the base

Just a break

Another break at the "saddle"

Signing the log

Our feet on a geological marker at the TOP!!!

We Made It!!!

AWWWEE  I love him!

Coming back down.  If this looks hard its because it was, from the saddle to the top was just like this.

Day 3

On day 3 we visited the "Quick Draw" at GG's local museum.  They gave each artist 90 minutes to create something that was then auctioned later that day.

Us with GG

 After we saw the artists we walked around the town and listened to the statues.  Here is the jail tree.

Santa Fe

We woke in the morning very early, thank you guy next door.  So why not get continental breakfast the minute it opens and go on a walk around Santa Fe.

At the bottom of the Cross of the Martyrs (a little historical hike)

 Sign that talks about the walk.

 Us at the top (it was probably only 7:30am)

The actual cross of the Martyrs

Catholic Church in downtown Santa Fe

 Inside of the Church