A Springtime Break

Our week long road trip was part spring break, part post birthday celebration for J. He received money for his birthday from his super grandparents that we used to take him to his very first airshow to see the Thunderbirds.

So in favor of creating more memories, we rented a Camaro Convertible for a week at $5 a day and roadtripped from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and then down to Tucson Arizona. 

It was our first long road trip as a family with our share of disappointments and melt downs (literally when J was eating a melting ice cream cone in the car...).

All this trouble and effort was worth the memories! Way better than just buying him more toys, right? Oh we desperately hope so.

Day One: The Grand Canyon 

The Grand Canyon is truly huge! It was the first time for all of us and we were all amazed and the vastness. Our favorite part of the day was walking along a paved trail (while everyone else rode the bus) eating snacks and singing songs.

Oh, and of course we loved the sunsets!

Day Two: Phoenix Airshow

Turns out everyone loves a free airshow! After learning it would take 3+ hours in traffic and waiting to ride a bus just to get to the airshow, we chose to park on a dirt road outside Luke Air Force Base. J was happy to sit in the parked, air-conditioned race car and watch the planes.  

After the show we stopped for ice cream cones on our way out of town. We quickly learned why easy-going, I'm just going to enjoy life, toddlers and melting ice cream don't mix.

Day Three: Tucson, AZ

Our first full day in Tucson was Sunday so we attended church, where J was surprisingly fine with going to a different nursery class with new toys. I think he needed some serious kid time.

After church we all took much needed naps in our presidential suite. (I was almost forever embarrassed when I typed sweet instead of suite. But it was quite SWEET!) We were all too surprised when they upgraded us for free. It was heavenly to have a full fridge/ freezer, a dining room table, and separate room for J to sleep. I am almost ashamed to say that it was even bigger than our current apartment.

Day Four: Pima Air & Space Museum,Tucson AZ

Let's pretend you are surprised to see more airplanes. 

I've been to a few airplane museums in my recent years thanks to these boys. This one was by far one of my favorites! We went first thing in the morning and enjoyed running around the 80 acres of airplane viewing bliss.

I've also realized that I LOVE photographing airplanes. The angles, symmetry, and reflective surfaces are a creative dream.

The boys loved the planes and I loved photographing the boys loving the planes. Win win.

So many more pictures! Stay tuned for part two of our vacation.