Turner Family Reunion

We had a wonderful time seeing Ron's family again and celebrating his father's 70th birthday! Fishing, horseshoes, BBQ, and catching up. Life doesn't get any better than that. Just being with family was so nice.

No, this isn't Tori's boyfriend as everyone keeps asking her, it is her cousin.

The birthday kids!

Going fishing with Grandpa.

We were so lucky to be able to meet the newest edition to the Turner family....Ella. She is so precious Andrea! Thanks for letting us have so much time to hold her. Hope she wasn't too spoiled when yall got home!

Ron's siblings.

The Turner Family.

Family babysitter!

Make a wish! Ray 70 years and Cailtin and Courtney 14 years.

Ray & Cathy

Judi and kids

Pam & Jay

Rich & Andrea

There is a family picture missing here...where is Bobbi & Jonathan? Anyone who has a picture, please send it to me. Thanks!

Caitlin & Courtney - HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY!

While on vacation the twins celebrated their birthday! We were in Yakima and also celebrated with their Grandfather who's birthday is on the same day. We were at a beautiful park and had a family reunion with the whole gang. After the reunion we took the girls out to dinner in Richland to celebrate their special day.






This picture below was taken right before they left for their first Stake Dance!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET TWINNIES!

Bryce Canyon National Park

So, by the time we made it to Bryce Canyon it was getting late and the sun was setting. We had began our day in Flagstaff, Arizona. We visited Sunset Crater NP, Wupataki NM, Grand Canyon NP and finally made it to Bryce Canyon NP, with our hotel for that night being in Provo, Utah. We knew when we got to Bryce it was going to need to be a fast hike. We made it down and back in about an hour. Let's just say we were surprised at how well we all did, especially Tiffany. She pretty much ran back up the switchbacks. By the time we got back up to the top the sun had set.

The last time we hiked Bryce, I was in terrible shape and I thought I was going to have to be carried out. {snicker, snicker}. This time I was prepared. I had been running 3-4 miles a day for about 4 months before we left. And, I am proud to say, even with the elevation difference, I did pretty well!

On the drive out of the park, we saw many deer grazing in the evening shadows. One deer right next to our van door. Tiffany really thought that was neat! It was a great way to end the visit to the park.

We finally rolled into Provo, Utah about 1:00am....with Tori puking in the back seat as we came into her birth place. Ron and I couldn't help but laugh, we were so tired, and everything seemed funny by that time.

Grand Canyon National Park

The last time our family visited the Grand Canyon, Brianne was a toddler. It has been a while since our last visit. When we were planning our trip, there were a few places I wanted to show Tiffany and have her picture taken. The Grand Canyon was one of these places.

I was so excited to show Tiffany the canyon. She "Ooh and Ahhh'd" and said, "WOW!"...it was so cute! She was also very scared of the edge. Even though there was a fence, she was still quite nervous to be near it.

The Grand Canyon is one of my favorite National Parks to visit. I am always in amazement at the beauty of the canyon, the colors of the rock and it's awesomeness. It just makes me stop and appreciate the beauty of the Earth.

Wupataki National Mounment

This park is connected to Sunset Crater Volcanic park. It is absolutely fascinating to walk through these Indian ruins. They way they stacked rocks, built their homes and athletic courts was so interesting. Here is a link to the park.

Sunset Crater Volcanic National Park

This little gem is tucked away north of Flagstaff, Arizona. It is right off the highway and it does not take very long to drive into the park. Once in the park, you'll see lots of black volcanic rock and black sand. The hiking trails are fairly simple and beautiful.


{Don't ask. I just threw this pic in for Ron and the girls.}


Hills of volcanic rock. Too bad this photos didn't turn out better. The rocks were a deep black color. In these photos, they look gray. The rocks are also VERY sharp. {Ouch!}

Painted Desert & Petrified Forest National Parks

These two National Parks are located in New Mexico. This is our second time visiting these parks. We drove the entire park this time and saw many incredible and large pieces of petrified wood.

We are standing at the base of a huge petrified tree. It was huge!

The Painted Desert in background.

More painted Desert.

Sitting on a petrified tree.

A long petrified tree, the NP has build a cement base to stabilize the tree.

New Mexico sunset as we left the park.

"Look Mom a Hill!" {we don't have these in Houston, the girls are always excited! haha.}

The Road Trip "Heading West"

We let Victoria drive us across Utah, into Idaho. She only cut off one HUGE RV and wow, was that little old man mad. It was actually a bit funny watching the poor guy, he could barely see over the steering wheel and could he ever lay on the horn!



West Texas sunset

We drove through several old towns. Many deserted. It was neat, yet a little sad at the same time.

Summer Vacation 2011

Seven times. Yes, that is correct...it's official, we have now driven our five girls across the USA seven times. Along the 5,000+ mile drive we had laughter, murmuring, laughter, girls talking LOUD, whining, laughter, exhaustion, gasping girls, surprises, gagging girls, and yes... more laughter. It was a great vacation!

We drove through, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

It felt so nice to drive into north Texas the first night on the road, to step out of the van and feel dry air. No humidity! It was wonderful. Needless to say, the further north we drove the cooler it got and the more excited we were {well, at least I was. I really dislike humidity and high temps!}. We did get cold in Washington and some days needed a jacket and hot chocolate. {We always find that amusing.}

So, sit back and enjoy...here comes a month, yes, a month of photos from our fabulous vacation!