OK, this post is totally messed up in the order. Bear with me--I didn't want to start completely over. This top picture is of me hanging on at the Grand Canyon. My knees were shaking so bad I could hardly stand there. Curt kept saying, "Get closer!" Yeah, right.
OK, now we are at NASCAR. Cary was gracious enough to let us stay at his house in Phoenix. We left after work on Friday and got to Phoenix about 12:30 a.m. I was worried about running into some Skinwalkers on the way down after reading an alien book Lacey and Landon gave me, but we made it just fine. You wouldn't believe the number of trailers there. Cary took out his trailer so we had somewhere to hang out. We had to ride a shuttle to get up to the racetrack.
It was hard to get good pictures the cars were traveling so fast. At the end of this post I have downloaded a little video from my camera that shows the starting of the race.
The stadium is in the background. In front is a picture of one of the shuttles. Trailers, trailers, rednecks, rednecks, everywhere!
OK you can see some (a very, very few) of the trailers in the background. Look at the semis lined up in the infield, or whatever you call it
Dave with the racetrack in the background. Notice his cute little ear plug? You absolutely HAD to have earplugs. IT WAS SO LOUD!!!!
People camp out on the hillside. It does cost them to sit there.
Just look at the people! Thousands of them.
Cary, our host with the most.
Now, to the Grand Canyon again. We stopped at a trading post and Curt saw a watchband he liked. He didn't buy it, so we started back on the road. About 20 miles later, he decided we ought to go back and get it. After we turned around and got his watch, I knew the Grand Canyon was only a 30 mile or so detour to the west. So we decided to take it in. We only saw one small portion, but it was well worth the detour.
Beautiful---for miles and miles and miles.
Here is the video. The pacer car had just left so you get to see the first lap. Hope it works.
Kathy brought little ornament kits that she had made for the kids to put together an ornament. She is always doing such fun things with the kids.
They all got to make one of their own.
Even little Carter. . . .
All seven of my grandkids with Granny. Spencer isn't happy; Carter's trying to get down; Jayleigh has her eyes closed; Madalynn looks impatient; other than that, this was a great picture, huh, Cody!
What a cheesy grin, you goof.
Audrey sat down with her piece of cake and Carter was right on her tail. He sat by her and opened his mouth just like a little bird.
Spencer got in a few winks before Santa arrived. Go Seahawks!
Uh oh. Cody REALLY didn't want to sit on Santa's lap, but he was a good sport. He even gave him a high five right before Santa left. He begged me to pick up his present for him.
Spencer explaining himself, lol. What a cutie.
Thomas with his "do."
Yeah, he gave me a present!
Carter is having a hard time trying to figure Santa out.
Jayleigh was having nothing to do with Santa. When he first came in, she had her back to him. He walked up behind her and tapped her on the back. She....came....unglued. How mean are we to subject our kids to such terror!
Ethan (Steve's boy) broke his arm the day before the party. Santa signed his name--how sweet.
Is that a chocolate face or what?
Madalynn was so sweet. She told Santa to just surprise her.
Audrey was Santa's little helper this year. My, these kids need to stop getting older!
Gotta get Granny on Santa's knee. We had a fabulous day. I'm so glad so many could come. Building memories is such a fun thing to do!
