GRAND CANYON 2019

So we just got back from a wonderful family vacation. We started out bright and early Monday morning. I had to set my alarm for 3am!! We were to the airport by about 5:15 and boarding the plane by about 5:45. We landed in Las Vegas around 7:45. We got our luggage and set out to get the rental van. We got in the van and loaded up and we were all excited about our adventure for the week. We found a nearby Walmart and stopped there first to load up on snacks for the week and an ice chest. Once we got that settled we drove from Nevada to Utah. It was a couple hour long ride. We finally got into this tiny Western looking town and found a place for lunch. It was this cute Saloon looking place. The burgers we got were quite yummy! Plus we were all starving! After this we traveled awhile longer to get to Zion National Park. I was excited to start seeing some sights, but also very tired from the day. It was also quite hot. We ended up riding this shuttle around the park mostly. We got out at a couple stops. I was happy we got to get out and hike. I think the kids liked moving about too. We saw this little waterfall thing and they got to splash around in a creek. I think that were some of the highlights! Afterwards we went on to our hotel. We stayed at a place called Thunderbird Lodge. It was like an old fashioned inn. It was honestly really cute. It felt like a scene out of cars. We unpacked and rested for awhile. The kids really wanted to swim, but we were all tired. We cooled off a bit then met the family for dinner. The place had a little restaurant on the grounds so we ate several of our meals there. It was always nice sitting around the table talking and laughing. We all had a light dinner and dessert since lunch had been late and pretty big. After we got back to our rooms and did baths and bed to gear up for another busy day! 
Tuesday we got to sleep in a little which felt quite good. We met the family for breakfast. We all had a nice big breakfast and got packed up for the day and ready to head out. This day we spent in Bryce National Park. This was a neat park as well. I wished I was more rested for Zion, but I think Bryce was one of my favorites. Plus the weather was super nice this day as well. This park we were able to drive through and just make stops along the way. I preferred this over the shuttle option from the day before. We got out and saw a lot of sights. We took a few short walks which was nice. We finished the park around lunch time so we drove down to this little town not far away and had lunch at this place called Ruby's Inn. It was a buffet, but they also had other options. I think we all especially enjoyed the ice cream. We had about a 2 hour drive back to our hotel. My brother had offered to bring us to another park, but I think we all just wanted an early evening in. We ended up getting back to our hotel around 4 I think. This gave us time to unwind and the kids got to swim and play in the pool. I enjoyed the down time. I like seeing stuff on vacation, but I also enjoy just resting. We sat by the pool for about an hour. After that we got cleaned up and we met for dinner at the hotel restaurant again. Once again we weren't super hungry. We ate some big lunches on this trip. We split some appetizers. Lindsay and I browsed the gift shop and got a few souvenirs and then we were ready to head back to the room and turn in earlier than the night before. 
Wednesday we had a busy day planned out. This day we were driving to the North Side of the Grand Canyon. We set out early and it was about a 2 hour drive. We enjoyed the sights. It was a beautiful drive in. The north side of the Grand Canyon is nothing like you would expect. We ended up seeing snow and deer and trees and all sorts of things. We parked at the Visitor's Center and walked a trail out to a peek of the Canyon. It was quite a walk, but we survived! We got to see some beautiful sights. We contemplated hanging out there and eating lunch, but we finished rather early, so we decided to go ahead and keep driving. We ended up finding this neat little cafe on up the road. I was so happy we stopped here instead. The lunch was fabulous! It was also nice to get out and stretch our legs and such. We had another 2 hour drive from there though. We saw a lot more sights on our way to the South Side of the Grand Canyon. We even pulled over and did this walk through over the Colorado River. That was cool...but boy was it hot!! We got to our hotel that evening. We had a nice hotel with a HUGE bathroom and tub. Austin was a little disappointed in the cleanliness though. We had a bit to hang out/get cleaned up before meeting everyone for dinner. We decided to just eat at the hotel buffet. My parents passed it up...we probably would have too except my brother and sister in law wanted to eat there so we went and visited with them. The ice cream ended up being my highlight. It was also just nice to laugh and enjoy their company. That night we enjoyed the spacious hotel room. Colby woke us up randomly though shouting in the middle of the night. 
Thursday we were up early again. This day we were going to be touring the "South Rim" of the Grand Canyon. Once again we met for breakfast and then set out. We got there and we got to see a lot of the typical scenes you see on movies and such. We walked a lot along the edge and that was nice. It was pretty warm though. We then went to the iconic place where you see all the pictures. That was over crowded and felt very touristy and honestly I didn't like it much. After we finished at the south side we decided to drive a bit and find a place for lunch. We drove into Williams, AZ. This was located on Route 66. It was the cutest little town. It truly felt like the movie CARS. Colby loved being on Route 66. We ate at this cute little cafe. Lunch was delicious and they had awesome pies. We then decided to Zip Line. Well Lindsay, Lizzie, and I did. It was so much fun! We then drove into our next hotel we would be staying at. We got to the hotel and had time to relax and such. The kids were happy to swim in the pool and I was happy to stay in the room and get some much needed quiet time. That night we went to a little hole in the wall Mexican place. 
Friday we woke up and drove to Hoover Dam. I wasn't super into this. I mean I guess it just seemed more like a "guy thing". I mean it was impressive, but by this day I was kinda over it and ready to go home. We stayed there a few hours. After leaving the Dam we drove into Vegas and towards our hotel. We found an IN-OUT burger right by our hotel. It was so good! It was crowded, but worth it. After we went to our hotel and rested for awhile. We let the kids watch Toy Story and just chill out. At 4 we met up with everyone to go down to the Vegas strip. I was excited at first to see the sights and such. We drove for about an hour seeing all the major things. That part was fun. We then searched for parking...we ended up at the Bellagio. We walked around on the inside for awhile and saw the pretty gardens. Lindsay had fallen asleep so she wasn't super impressed. We then went outside and as soon as we did I was over it. It just seemed dirty and crowded. We waited for the fountains, but even that didn't impress me. With all the places I've been I just didn't think it was that cool. Anyway we then crossed the street to eat dinner. We had a nice steak dinner then walked in a casino and walked back to that hotel. I hated that part. Its just so filthy there and full of bad stuff. I was quite ready to get back to the hotel. We got in and we were all ready to get cleaned up and turn in! 
Saturday we were up early for our flight home! I was anxious to return home! We had breakfast at the hotel lobby. We got to the airport and had about 30-40 at the gate to wait. The flight was uneventful. I read and Lindsay drew and slept! We arrived in NOLA ahead of schedule and I was so excited...but then a HUGE thunderstorm blew in and we weren't allowed off the plan for an hour!!! Then we finally got out the plane and we had to wait another hour and a half for our luggage! It was quite an ordeal...although I think sometimes God just wants us to learn patience. It all worked out ok...we picked up Chickfila on the way home and just decided to call it a night. We did a little unpacking, but knew most of it could wait! It was a great trip though...I am thankful for all the memories and laughs with family!