Christmas Travels and Family Fun 2014

Jason, Amy, Caden, & Elizabeth came to Arizona to visit us from December 28 thru January 1.

Caden was amazed at the size of the cactus.

When the kids got to our campground we opened Christmas presents.  Caden & Elizabeth were excited to see all the presents under our 2 foot Christmas tree.

Elizabeth loved her new dress that Nancy made her.

The kids couldn't decide what to open first.

Even PJ got a Christmas present.  Caden & Elizabeth got him a fishing pole with a mouse with feathers that has light up eyes.

Jason & Amy opened presents too.

Our first stop was to visit Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.

Elizabeth brought along one of her dolls to see the National Park.

Elizabeth & Caden worked on Junior Ranger  books so they could get their patch and Junior Ranger badges. They said the Junior ranger pledge with one of the Casa Grande Rangers.

Nancy, Dennis, Elizabeth, Caden & Amy stopped for a rest along the trail at Saguaro National Park East, while Jason was running the loop trail.

Nancy, Caden & Elizabeth take a break at a picnic table.

Caden & Elizabeth getting another Junior Ranger Badge at Saguaro National Park.

Jason, Elizabeth, Caden & Amy at the entrance to Coronado National Memeorial.

Part of the fun at Coronado National monument was trying on the helmets.  Caden thought it was neat.

Elizabeth needed both hands to hold the helmet.

Another Junior Ranger Badge earned by Caden & Elizabeth.

We also went to Tombstone.  We saw the gunfight at the OK Corral, which turned out the same way it shows in the history books.

Caden tried to rope one of the metal cows.  

Caden & Elizabeth got to ride in the saddle at the OK Corral.

We had a birthday party for Jason.  Caden & Elizabeth decorated a carrot cake with sprinkles & cream cheese frosting.

We also went to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.  Jason, Caden, Elizabeth & Amy had their picture taken by the sign.

Of course Caden & Elizabeth got another Junior Ranger badge.  They worked really hard on their books to earn their badges.

After the kids left for home we left the campground to head to Tucson for our next project.  On the way we drove through snow covered roads.  The sides of the road had snow & even the cactus had snow on them.  It was a beautiful sight but one we did not expect to see in Arizona.