Holiday Happenings!

This year the Holidays were full of adventures with the one's I love.

Todd's mom came to town a week and a half before Christmas so that we could do some traveling!

First stop.

GRAND CANYON

I have been to the grand canyon multiple times, but it always seems to take my breath away. Todd had been to the North Rim, but I guess there is nothing better or more expansive than the view from the other side.

Todd was held at work a little later than we expected so we had a late start. It's a little more than a six hour drive from our house and we didn't hit the road until after 4.

We arrived at the Canyon a bit after midnight.

I have never been so COLD!

It was around 16 degrees!

We stayed in the cutest cabins at the Bright Angel Lodge.

When we woke up in the morning, we had the view of a lifetime!

We ventured a little ways down the Bright Angel trail and then huffed our way back up. It was a bit icy and snowy, but beautiful all the same!

We also enjoyed some fine Dining at El Tovar Lodge.

If you are ever at the Grand Canyon and in the mood for some AMAZING food.

Make a dinner reservation. 

The best part about being in a national park and eating at a 5* restaurant is everyone is wearing jeans and hiking boots. Quite the experience! 

Next stop.

SEDONA

 

The place for all things dirty! Todd got to do some off-roading in my little 4x4 grocery getter. Reminded me of a few good country songs. We were on a Red Dirt Road getting a little Mud on The Tires :)

We hiked up to Devils Bridge.

It was beautiful!

I was so full of anxiety that I felt like puking. I did make it over to the bridge with Todd's help and love, scared to death.

The hike would be nice in dry or even wet weather, but there was snow, slush and ice on the very unforgiving trail. 

From where I am standing taking Todd's picture, there is probably 5 feet of slanted jagged rock, covered in slush between me and the 50 foot drop. 

Scary beautiful!

We then moved onto 

JEROME

Cutest little old mining town built on the side of a hill.

It's a little artist community full of cute shops and some good restaurants.

After returning home and then taking the in-laws to the airport the next day, Todd, Skipper, and I drove up to Sun City to visit my grandparents George and Jane. 

It's always a good time hearing their stories of travel and the mischief my mother and uncles used to get themselves and eachother into.

We got there a few days before Christmas so we had a little time to do some adventuring of our own!

 Todd rode a horse for the first time EVER! We had an amazing old army veteran/cowboy give us a tour of the Desert and told some good tales. Todd now understands why I always ask to go horseback riding. We had a great time.

Christmas was simple and beautiful. I played Christmas elf and passed out all the gifts, we opened all our lovely little gifts 

Todd got me something I know I will be using the most. A beautiful little Le Creuset dutch oven.

I think Todd's favorite is a 1943 edition of the Officers Guide. The best thing about the book, it came with history. Inside we found immunization records and a request from a 1st Lieutenant in the reserves to go active duty from 1947.

I hope you all had an amazing Holiday and a Happy Christmas!