Monumental day . . .

Last week we hit a milestone at the Moqui Cave. After 16+ years we are finally getting a sign! My grandpa had a sign you couldn't miss for miles and then when my parents retired the dinosaur and built the cliff dwellings my parents just never put one up. Its still a work in progress but there is a buzz in the air at the Chamberlain house hold. Another monumental note. In the making of the sign Chamberlain was able to get his "Junior" Crane Operator License, courtesy of Joe. Chamberlain got to raise, move and lower the crane as well as drop the ball. It was an exciting day to say the least, we spent all afternoon at the cave watching the crane hoist the 15 foot monument onto its eternal bed. There was some sacry parts when the straps started to slide and the chains started to buckel but alas it was put to rest. To kill sometime while waiting for the cement to dry I took Chamberlain to my favorite place at the Cave. A little alcove where I spent most of my time as a kid. It was such a great day.

livin on the edge

I love the summer, and to start it off Lesa and Chris came to visit. Its always nice when we get to see them. Which, is only in the summer, since they are world travelers in the winter. We didn't let this visit go to waste. We took them to the North Rim of the GRAND CANYON! It was Chris's first time overall and Lesa's first time as an adult. And to add a little sentimental factor in there, Sandi, my mother-in-law, worked there in the 60's she played the Organ and stuff when they had the shows in the grand hall there at the lodge. That would be the picture of the pictures on the rock wall.
It was quite the challenge to round up all 4 kids under 4 and squish into the pilot. We could have taken two cars but honestly where is the fun in that! I guess the real battle was the three kids in the back Chamberlain, Kelli Jo and Zoey, they kept hitting and teasing and crying. I started to highly doubt that we made the right decision to see the Canyon. But once we parked and the kids were free it was awesome a little nerve wrecking but awesome. I forgot how HUGE the canyon is and how small we actually are and how there is NO I repeat NO railing with the mile drop. I mean you are littleraly walking along the rim of the canyon and if you were to drop a tape measure down the middle of it it would be over a mile long! Now, why did I think it would be a good idea to take my 2 year old, full of restless energy, along with his two cousins that have that very same energy and walk them along the cliff? Beats me. Most of the time my hands were so sweaty from squeezing Chamberlains hand so hard. Its scary. So if any of you are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon this summer, moms you have been warned, hold on to your kids!!! We got some great shots. But only one with Chris because he is afraid of heights (which is pretty comical for a 7 footer). So after the first look out point he went back to lodge and waited with baby Ava while the rest of us had fun! I just want to throw this in there. Chamberlain had so much fun with his cousins. Each night we set up camp in the living room, with the Tipi and they got to watch movies (warm up by the campfire) before they went to bed. Thanks Chris and Lesa for stopping by. We love you!