Friday Playdates

My sweet friends, Laura and Kristina, and I have been getting our children together for play dates on Friday mornings. The kids play so good together and it is really nice to have adult conversation with two sweet ladies!

William, Zadie, Jack, Daniel and Ian
(Poor Baby Rosie didn't make any of the pictures....I'll be sure and get some of that sweet girlie next time.)

Sweet brothers!

Daniel would swing the entire time if I let him. I think this picture is so funny....that look on his face and it looks like he doesn't have any arms because he had them tucked inside the swing. Silly boy!

Zadie and Laura

Jack and Zadie

Fall Porch

I am so happy Fall is here....now if only the hot Alabama weather would cool down just a little. I love to decorate the front porch for Fall and could hardly wait to break out the pumpkins and mums!!

I painted our monogram on this pumpkin. I have a tutorial on how you can make your own monogram pumpkin here.

The cotton boll wreath was the inspiration for my front porch decorating. I kept everything pretty neutral with just a little splash of color.

The cotton industry is a big part of Tallassee's economy (and Alabama). I've always wanted a cotton boll wreath for our front door and this year I was determined to make one. It helps to have friends that grow cotton that let me pick some to make this!

I've linked up to three great Linky Parties. If you want to see some other great fall decorating ideas click on any of the photos below!

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Daniel

Hoover Dam

On our way back from the Grand Canyon we visited the Hoover Dam. The new Hoover Dam Bypass bridge was completed sometime in the past year. The above photo was taken from the new bridge and proved to be the best place to snap pictures of the dam. It was a long climb up MANY stairs and then a long walk across the bridge to get that shot, but I definitely think it was worth it.

This picture was taken from the top of the dam on one side looking at the other side. It was a LONG way down!

The back view of the dam on the Arizona/Lake Mead side.

View of Lake Mead

The new bypass bridge. It is a beautiful concrete arch bridge. We were standing on this bridge when we took the first picture in this post.

View of the new bridge from underneath.

The Grand Canyon

While in Las Vegas we took a day trip and visited the Grand Canyon. The Western rim of the Grand Canyon is about 2 1/2 hours from Vegas and is part of the Hualapai Native American Tribe's reservation. It was an interesting ride out there to say the least, but worth every minute. The Grand Canyon is absolutely amazing!

We stopped for a picture at this scenic overlook on the way to the Grand Canyon.

A breathtaking view along the stretch of road between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

The drive to the Grand Canyon is pretty interesting. The first stretch of the trip is a normal ride along an interstate type highway. Then you get to Dolan Springs, Arizona. That's where the fun begins. I wish I would have taken a few pictures of this town. After seeing it, I will never again complain about Tallassee being a small town with not much to offer. I'll just leave it at that.

On this stretch of road we kept seeing these cactus/palm looking trees. They were everywhere and really odd looking. I kept saying the terrain, plants and rocks really looked like something from another planet. After I got home, I Googled these trees and discovered they are Joshua trees.

The last 29 miles of the journey are by far the most interesting. Their is a 13 mile stretch that is a rough, dirt road. It was a very bumpy and dusty ride!

But then, just when you are asking yourself if this drive is really worth it....

you see this.....

and realize YES, it is very much worth it!!! The first time you see the Grand Canyon it literally takes your breath away. Pictures do not do it justice! It is truly one of the most amazing and beautiful things I have ever experienced.

This is referred to as "Eagle Point" because the rock formations resemble an eagle soaring.

While at the Grand Canyon we made a stop at the famous Skywalk. The Skywalk is a glass bottom bridge that is suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River on the very edge of the Grand Canyon.

They do not allow you to take anything (including cameras) on the bridge for fear of harming the glass if something were to fall. You have to wear booties over your shoes to protect the glass as well. I read somewhere that each piece of glass on the Skywalk cost $250,000. So I guess I understand why they are a little protective of it! I did find the picture below on the Internet so you can get an idea of what it looks like on the Skywalk.

I really didn't think I would be scared, but when you are up 4,000 feet above the Grand Canyon looking straight down and walking on a sheet of glass, I was SCARED!

They had Native American dwellings around the park.

Me with a very sweet Hualapai Native American.

And I had to end this post with the following picture. This is the car after we made the trip both to and from the Grand Canyon on the dirt road. The car was so dirty and dusty! This picture is also funny because anyone who knows my parents would get a kick out of this picture just at the thought of them traveling in this car!!!