Hello there!

It is so time for a blog makeover!!! I am in need of something new to blog about .... other than just our daily life (boring!!). Otherwise this blog just may come to an end. I am brainstorming on ways to make this more exciting. I know it's frustrating to check a blog often, only to go days, weeks without any updates. I don't want it to be that way. In fact, I don't even know if anyone still checks this!

A few weeks ago, we went camping. We had a great time! The Maddox family came with us and all the kids had a blast together. We camped near Lake Mary, which is outside of Flagstaff. It was a little warm, but not too bad. We didn't get to do as much fishing as we would have liked, but overall we had a great time! After 3 nights camping, we decided to spend the last day at Oak Creek near Sedona. It is soo beautiful! As we drove through Sedona, Rudy and I decided to see if we could get a room to spend the night there. It was Friday night, the weekend of Father's Day and to our surprise, we managed to find an AWESOME room (casita!) and Rudy was even able to talk the guy down to nearly half price. AND they allowed dogs - it was meant to be! We enjoyed having an extra night of vacation as a family. :) The next morning we got to do a little shopping/exploring before making the drive home. Ryder absolutely LOVED camping and we can't wait to take him again!

Finally all set up and ready to .... relax?

As if this boy would let that happen!

He loved standing on this tree stump

Helping daddy chop wood

Full moon!

Day 2

These 2 spent a lot of time putting dirt/rocks on the bumper of the van

Best Buds

How did daddy use this thing?

Day 3:

Attempting to fish ... it was unbelievably windy! We weren't allowed to have a fire that night, due to the winds :(

Trying to sneak off together

<3

Hanging out, reading a book

Day 4:

Ryder & Kayla hanging out (hugging) while we packed up the cars

Karina & I before heading out

Rudy & Joel

Fishing at Oak Creek, near Sedona

I love this one!

Our super awesome casita - all lined with windows

And this was our view from the patio - couldn't get enough!!!

Perfect spot for a wedding at our hotel!

Watching the sunset ... this picture cracks me up, I have never seen that face before or again after this picture!

Amazing sunset

Sunrise :)

Shopping in Sedona

This lookout point was right next to our hotel room ... literally steps from the patio of our room!

At Holy Cross Chapel

Amazing house!!

Beautiful church up in the red rocks!

He thinks he's pretty cool when he gets to snack straight from the bag

(DISCLAIMER: We only turned his car seat forward-facing for this trip, and as soon as we got home he got turned back around. I really struggled with whether or not to let him face forward for the trip, but we had the car so jam-packed we wouldn't have been able to get him in and out if he was rear-facing ... not to mention feeding and entertaining him for so long. The APA does recommend keeping children rear-facing until they are AT LEAST 2 years old, regardless of weight. I am a firm believer in this and wish more people would take it seriously. The effects to a little one in an accident can be devastating and life-changing when a child is forward facing).

Almost home!

So that was our trip in a nutshell! We are looking forward to returning to our favorite spot in the white mountains at some point, although we have no idea what it looks like after the fire.

On another note .... Casey Anthony. I was glued to the TV 3 years ago while this case was unfolding. It was so clear at that time, that this terrible woman killed her beautiful little girl. I have waited for her to be convicted for 3 years, and today was SHOCKED with the verdict of not guilty. I really think the justice system has failed in this case, it failed that poor little girl and it's very sad. I still can't believe it. She murdered her daughter and will likely be free by the end of this week. I know there's the whole reasonable doubt thing and this case was lacking in hard evidence (according to some), but I think there was more than enough to convict her! It just makes me so sick! How can anyone do this to their kid? And then go about their life, partying and having a good time as if nothing ever happened. I am just beside myself. Have been in a funk over it all day. She literally got away with murder. She will have to chance to live her life when her daughter won't ... and what if she has more kids? Is that really ok? I just can't understand it at all. Sad, sad day. I have to believe that she will be punished for this, when her true judgement day comes and she meets her maker.