the.amanda.sewell

Hubby and I woke up super early with the kids, and we were both feeling completely exhausted!  I need to figure out how to get my kids to sleep in.  Anyway, we were trying to think of a way to get some rest, and we laughingly thought that if only we could strap them into car seats for a couple hours...and thus the plan to visit Tombstone, AZ was born.   We got everyone ready, and then loaded up and drove.  It was surprisingly peaceful.  The kids read, or play DS, or watch movies.  The smallest two napped and relaxed.  As we were driving and almost there, J said "Dad, do you think they will have the real Boot Hill?" and about 5 minutes later we drove up to it.  It was cool!  Such an interesting little town.  I am so glad we took the time to make the drive and visit.  The temperatures were surprisingly more cool there than here in Phoenix too! We had a lot of fun seeing the old west sites.  And now for the picture-pa-looza . . . I apologize in advance . . . but I lov

We woke up nice and early . . . my kids don't know how to sleep in.  We had some yummy pancakes and then the kids wanted to take a boat ride before we had to leave... I am so glad that we took the time to visit my uncle Rick and aunt Sheila.  It was fantastic to see them! Our flight back did not go quite as planned.  We were there super early -- so we got some Harveys/Swiss Chalet for lunch.  The flight out of Ottawa was delayed and so we arrived in Detroit a half hour late.  We made a run from C gate to A76, the very last gate in A terminal, and we missed our flight because there was no one there to let us on. The flight was still on the ground.  It sucked.  Then they were trying to tell us the next direct flight would be Friday, and they were out of hotel rooms (It was late Wednesday).  There was no way we were going to live in the airport for two days with four kids.   After waiting in a line for 2 hours, maybe more, this awesome dude hooked us up wi

We spent the morning hanging out with my mom and packing up.  Then we took some pictures of the kids with Grandma, said goodbye and headed on our way to my Aunt and Uncle's house in Hastings Highlands, ON.  It was hard to say goodbye, but my mom is going to come visit us in AZ over Halloween.  We arrived at their house around dinner time.  It was on the lake and it was just beautiful!  So much fun visiting my family all across Ontario.  Girls Picture - My momma, me, and E and M Boy Picture - My mom, Mic, E and J Beautiful view on our drive across the province Love all the green   A quick boat ride on the lake after dinner - The kids first time Love my little family . . .  Sunset on the lake while we were in the boat - GORGEOUS!

A trip to Canada would not be complete without a pit stop at Canada's Wonderland.  I had not been there in over a decade and I thought it would be fun to take the kids.  I convinced Val and Dan to go with us, and it was a totally crazy, but fun time.  Theme parks are always fun!  So when we first got to the park, there was Charlie Brown, standing in the perfect spot to get the mountain and fountains in behind.  E met him and the first thing he did was hit his nose, and Charlie Brown walked away . . . hello, *awkward* . . . but the rest of the crew managed to catch him again and get this cute picture . . . minus E. Posing in front of Dragon Fire (this was the first roller coaster I went on as a kid) M and E watching Leviathan (a new one that goes 380 feet up and drops at an 80 degree angle) The littles started to get tired of waiting for the big kids to do their rides, so I took them over to Planet Snoopy to play.  On the way there, they stopped to splash in som