Amazing Race Part 15

As I write this Houston is under water...our church and school are constantly updating us on ways we can help. Please pray for those who are displaced or still unaccounted for.  We are completely unaffected and praying that God would show his power through anyway he can!



After a fantastic night under the stars in Monument Valley, Goober and I woke up early to get in a run. We drove about 1/2 mile away to Monument Valley High School and used their track. We thought it was really neat to find out that their mascot is also the cougar!!! I honestly could not run more than 2.5 miles...it was such a different altitude. I was quite pleased at my pace but was breathless and wished for my TX humidity for all of a brief second :).

Home of the Cougars

My partner and protector! See that big monument in the background?

My view when I got back...bless that sweet little booty.

The sunrise was beautiful that morning and Goober and I tiptoed around when we got back as everyone slept in. We all took full advantage of having a shower and took long hot ones. Our next clue sent us to Dineh Horse Tours in the middle of Monument Valley to ride horses. When we arrived the owners were still asleep in office chairs outside of their slapboard office. We even had to strike a deal with them as they insisted on cash only and we were short. I was grateful that our guide Bennett was an experienced horsemen and knew each one and its behavior. He matched up horses to each kiddo and then got us on and our saddles just right. I was very unsure of the kids riding by themselves but he was fully confident. Goober got on Sundance, who wanted to stop and eat grass the whole 2 hours but who Goober convinced to go faster then all of the rest of us :). Ribbit got on Sam and he was sleepy from being wore out from other riders the day before. Little Man got on Charlie who was mild mannered and easy to ride. Adam got on Chochee, a beautiful white horse. I got on Rico who was stubborn and lazy (just fine with me).

Ready to get going!

Lots of movies were shot here!

A bucket list item for sure!

It was breathtaking!

Me and Rico were always in the back!

Bennett knew a lot about the valley and grew up there. He told us that the Navajo (which is what Dineh means) learn their language at home and English at school. He was upset that many parents are teaching their culture and language to their children so the Navajo language is dying out. He lives in a Hogan during the busy riding season and believes that the Earth is filled with spirits. He told us that he knew a shapeshifter or skinwalker because in order to become one you have to sacrifice a family member. His own brother is a medicine man and he said he was destined to be it from the time he was a little boy. He said another medicine man or psychic (he used that term too) saw it in him. Bennett did not offer up this information but I was so intrigued in their beliefs that I quizzed him to death since my horse Rico had no intention of doing anything I asked. Bennett had to ride beside me and yell at the horse :).

A pro at this!

Letting horses rest in the shade!

He loved getting his horse to trot!

Heading back!

He showed us where Transformers, Back to the Future, Lone Ranger, a Metallica music video and several other films were shot at. He pointed out every major formation and showed us ruins of old hogan and sweat shacks. We were not ready to return but a little over 2 hours later we returned to the horses stalls and they were very thirsty. We thanked them and Adam had to leave to go get the rest of the money while we gave them my driver license to hold onto for collateral.

Souvenir shops

Lots of great picture opps!

Panoramic view

The kids and I went down the road to a big jewelry post and found several gifts for family members. We loved learning more and more about the Navajo culture as we spoke with several of the stand owners.

John Waynes cabin

Adam came and got us after paying Dineh and we headed to a famous trading post and to see John Waynes cabin, or at least where he bunked when he was filming in that area. We loved seeing the relationship between Indians and early settlers and how many of them were loving and helpful to one another. We found ice cream at a gas station close by and ate it quickly after being in the direct heat all morning long. From there we headed back to the Tipi Village for a low key afternoon and evening of Ninja Warrior games, long cold (on purpose this time) showers, Hot Dogs, Smores and teaching the kids how to play MASH!!

Home Sweet Tipi

The sweetest little thing.

We had booked an actual Tipi for that night and it was the best sleep yet as it was COOL, DARK and we had a fan running to block out all other sounds!!!

Amazing Race Part 14

I am slowly but surely getting every bit of our fabulous vacation documented but the start of school has slowed me down. Today was the eclipse and we enjoyed a full half hour out on our school football field staring up at the sun in our protective goggles. It was great to see the whole community come out- lots of parents too!

So as I said in the last post we didn't even have clean towels for a shower so we used paper towels to dry off...therefore at 4:30 the next morning I was up and in line for the laundry mat at the campsite. It was coin operated and the night before was packed. As I expected there was not a soul alive except for me and the jackelopes. However, I soaked up every minute of those 2 hours, watching the sunrise and walking down to the beach and back...it was a nice piece of God and me time.

4:30 inside the tent.

5:00 walking down to water

5:30 at Lake Powell

6:00 at the LaundroMat

When I got back to the site there were some hungry folk and Goober had already taken down the tent all by himself!! We headed straight to War-Mart to get lunch for the day. The clue had told us that we had a 10:30 appt to hike down into Antelope Canyon and we knew when we got out we would STARVING. From Wal-mart we went to the Visitor Center at the dam in Page, AZ and learned all about electricity  and bought some prickly pear cactus candy so snack on.....and thank goodness we did!

He was loving finding license plates from every state!

The dam in Page, AZ

The line to get into Lower Antelope Canyon was a solid 2 hours...its just the most beautiful place and we were butting up to the Fourth of July weekend so it was jam packed. Fortunately they had shade tents set up everywhere, were handing out water and candy and asked us every 15 minutes if we were feeling ok, were getting dizzy, etc. Our kiddos were champs....they loved listening to our tour guide talk about the Indians in Arizona, how the canyon was formed (which of course made Adam raise his eyebrows), people watch, listen to people play flutes and eat as much candy as they could get!! I felt sorry for many parents with screaming toddlers who didn't want to be held because it was soooo hot but couldn't be put down because it was just that slippery and steep.

We made friends with another couple in line who were from Dallas and spent time getting to know them. I was super psyched because all of the distractions were great for my claustrophobic
fears......I couldn't even begin to think about getting down there and letting my mind carry into a panic attack because I didn't want to deal with all the angry mob behind me who would be ticked if they had to wait for me to clear out. I also didn't want to disappoint my kids after standing in line for 2 hours. I also kept hearing about just how remarkable it was down in the canyon and therefore I was resolved to walk through the whole thing and never once let my mind take me somewhere that would cause worry.

Descending

The kids called this "the outie"

After we waited on slick, steep sandstone for 2 hours we descended down 5 flights into stairs into the smallest crack in the earth ever. It was breathtaking and looked like sand dunes that were hidden from the rest of the world. You could see everywhere due to the larger crack at the top of the canyon. BUT, there were several instances where you couldn't see the person in front of you since they had just turned through a corkscrew curve. It was like being in a whole different world. There were swirls of color and light everywhere and Ribbit kept pointing at the beautiful swirls...The boys loved treating it like another Ninja Warrior course and scaled all of the sides...since they could touch both sides with their feet spread. We also had to hold up our group for one second while the boys peed and buring it in sand...who can blame them...a 2 hour wait?...We just distracted others by taking pictures and no one ever knew! After 30 minutes of walking through tunnels we climbled up a couple of ladders and just like prairie dogs, popped up out of a crack in the earth....we had just walked passed that crack 2.5 hours earlier and never even noticed it...God is so stinkin creative and I am so glad that someone took the time to explore that canyon!

Soaking it all in

The lighting was breathtaking...pictures can't capture it.

Sand dunes from another planet!

So many places to hide!

Look at those ripples

Colors from orange to purple!

They refer to that formation as "the Donald"

One of their most favorite things!

Have you ever seen anything like it?

Ninja Warrior

Coming out!

We want to go back!

The crack you pop out of...see the guy coming up?

Our next clue was to head to the Navajo Code Talker Display which interestingly enough is in a Burger King. The display was awesome, well done and very educational. We walked through the exhibits several times reading about these men who worked with our gov't to help break codes and keep our mission a secret. The people there and the workers were less than thrilled that we actually came to look at it and treated us very poorly...if looks could kill...if someone can act as if you are the biggest burden to them...we felt it.

Code Talker display

After we decoded our clue it led us to TIPI Village in Utah, just a short drive away. This was the BEST campsite. We had an awesome elevated campsite with a fence, fire pit, covered table, bathrooms, common fridge, microwave and its in the middle of MONUMENT VALLEY. The views from every angle were phenomonal and the staff were very helpful !! We actually all got baths that night, played some Uno (Little man quit and went to bed ..he was soo tired). Adam took advantage of the bright sky and showed Ribbit how to find the big and little dipper. She then came in and fell asleep on my back...no idea how but I had to wake her up later in the night and move her off :).

Uno under the stars with my kids....yes, this is the good life.

Amazing Race Part 13

Before I begin to recap the rest of the race I need to document some more recent memories.

We started Kinder, 2nd and 7th grade on Thursday. Its honestly not as huge a day for us as it is for most families. We practically live at school year round and my kids have been there since Pre K3. The only difference on Thursday was a schedule, a new teacher and having to wear uniforms again. I felt the same way..new kiddos (including my own 7th grader), back to the bell schedule and I had to look decent. Don't get me wrong, we were all excited but there were hardly any nerves or the need to make a big spectacle out of things!

Meet the Teacher Night...meet her? WE LOVE HER!! We hung out with her this summer....MRS. NEIMEYER!!!

Meet her? We go to church with her and she taught my Goober two years ago! MRS. WHITE

These are mock first day pictures. We go the night before (pays to have a key card!) and take pictures without everyone else on campus! 2nd grade desk!

Kindergarten classroom. Same one as Ribbit but different teacher!

We take one picture in these two spots every year!

At the end of her actual first day....they celebrated summer birthdays!

Other funny memories-
We were playing Uno the other night and Little Man got so excited to finally have UNO that he yelled it and then showed us all his one card left....we died laughing.
During the same Uno card game Ribbit put down a Draw 2 card against me, looked at me and said "its personal"....bwa ha haha.
Goober was so excited to start 7th grade....honestly, its the most ready he has ever been for school. Except for the part where you have to remember to bring in your summer reviews on the first day....yup, he left all of those at home on the first day and thankfully his really nice dad came to his rescue.

Ok, on to the race. We left Tuba City and drove towards Page, AZ. The clue told us to find Horseshoe Bend. When we got there the parking lot was full of cars and tour buses. There were many Asians there dressed in church clothes and I felt so bad for the women in pantyhose, skirts and long sleeve shirts. I was soaking through my short and t-shirt so I knew they were HOT and UNCOMFORTABLE! You know that old saying of "uphill both ways"...well its true at Horseshoe Bend..you have to hike uphill both ways up and down a sand dune and dang its hard. BUT SO WORTH IT. The view is amazing, the water is soooo blue. BUT, there are NO GUARDRAILS...none, and people were once again doing crazy things to get pictures. Don't worry, our Edge Nazi (Adam) kept us all from getting too close and we enjoyed the scenery in the safest way possible! On the hike back Adam and I both carried a child....we looked like we had just stepped out of the shower after that climb!

I mean come on....what kind of God do we serve that he can create such beauty like this? PRETTY STINKIN AWESOME

I'm surprised Adam took this picture....he was pretty upset at us for even being this close...hehe...love you babe!

When we got our next clue it said to Head to our Pit Stop for the night and we all cheered. We were exhausted and our campsite was at Lake Powell. Lake Powell also looks like a different planet with its beautiful water and mountains and rock formations. The kids loved the actual lake...even though it was brown and muddy. They would reach down and find treasures of rocks and chunks of cement. They were able to build sand castles and cover themselves with mud. We even had our first experience with a French topless swimmer....lots of education on this road trip! We had to convince the kids to come get out and come eat dinner..they could have swam all night long!

Panoramic view of the lake!

HI MOM! I got in up to my knees but I don't swim where I can't see the bottom!

Just lovely!

Me and the hubs enjoying the view of our littles splashing and bringing us treasures!

You would have thought we had bought each kid their own Toys R Us store by the way they acted when we told them they they were going to get a 15 minute hot shower each...and for only $2 a pop!!! Ribbit and I shared one and had plenty of time to clean off, actually shampoo and condition our hair, scrub our bodies and I got to shave my legs (GLORY). BUT, we had no clean towels since all of the washers and dryers were being used. So we got real resourceful....Ribbit and I used paper towels after we drip dried. The boys were just happy to have clean clothes so they put those on and then stood underneath the hand dryers...heheh...I feel a good "you might be from Alabama" joke coming on! Ribbit said "this has been the weirdest day of my life!".

Back at camp the guys got started on dinner..you can see the lake from our spot!

We thoroughly enjoyed some pineapple popsicles while at the lake! YUM

The showers relaxed us and after we all read in our tent we watched the stars and found many constellations before falling asleep. We knew there was no chance of rain so we left the tarp of. Unfortunately our final clue of the day reminded us that we hadn't done a great job at "loving God, honoring our family and showing kindness to our siblings". We were told that we may be penalized for not following the rules in the future. It was a good reminder to all that we were on the race as a family and that our words and actions reflect whats in our hearts.