Grand Canyon!

Since we don't really know when our next family vacation will be, we decided to make a break for the Grand Canyon just a couple of hours away.  We stayed for a couple days and had an incredible time.  It was also the first time we've been to a national park with the kiddos.  Makes a big difference when you have little ones who can't hike 15 miles a day!  We were still able to see quite a bit and the kids were troopers, especially considering it was 90 degrees and we were still used to our Chicago weather! 

First look at the Grand Canyon.  "Whoa, that's big!"

We attempted our first hike.  I was a little nervous because Cora doesn't have much fear and the sides just dropped off to the bottom of the canyon.  So Jeremy took her hand and charged ahead.

We had a goal to make it down to a second tunnel, but Will was done so we headed back up.  We found out from the map that we were actually really close to our goal, but sometimes you have to listen to your kids.

On our way back up we stopped in the shade of this first tunnel for a few minutes.

Can you see why I was a little nervous for the kids?  Turns out they are good hikers, they just don't like it when it feels like a million degrees.

They made their own fun while we cooled off in our hotel room.

We went to a late ranger program where the ranger talked to the kids about nocturnal animals and what to listen for and where to find them.

Will was in heaven.  He was a great listener and answered a lot of her questions.  This kid really loves learning about animals.

Cool sunset.

Will completed his ranger program and earned his badge.  Here they are swearing him in.

It was so fun to get away and just have fun together.