Phoenix trip

{May 20-26}

Canyoneering/Accident

The trip started off with the "boys" going canyoneering. The girls (+Chaud:)) stayed behind. They hiked about 2.5 miles into a canyon, scaling walls, wading through water, and jumping off waterfalls. They all said it was so much fun and beautiful. The hike ended with a mandatory jump off a 50-60 foot waterfall. (Stupid boys!)

Can you tell the water is rather chilly!?

Yes, this would be the ever growing (depending on who tells the story) waterfall. My dad was the second to jump after watching Derrick. He landed wrong in the water and says that he instantly knew something was seriously wrong with his back. They had no cell service, so he had to hike the 2.5 miles back out over really rough terrain. By the time they reached the car, he noticed that his chest near his sternum/heart was puffed out and getting bigger.  He was in more pain than he had ever experienced before, and didn't think he could make it to the hospital. Shawn offered him a blessing for the pain to subside while they drove 2 hours to the nearest ER. The pain went down and he was able to make the drive. After 7 hours in the ER, they discovered that he had fractured his back (L1) and broke his sternum. His chest cavity was filling with blood and they were afraid it would stop his heart, so at 10:15pm he was taken via ambulance (with advanced life support available) to a trauma center. We were all really scared, but he seems to have a very strong heart and was fine once the internal bleeding stopped. He spent a couple of nights there until he came home to Derrick's.

What a way to start off our reunion eh!?? 

Love you Dad. You are my hero.

The Zoo

My Dad insisted that we continue with our plans, so we went to the zoo the next day. The kids loved it! We were all Exhausted, and sat down at every chance we could!

My Girls. Miss Kaylee Tay and Lexi Lou.

Lexi kept licking EVERYTHING! Really! We are getting kind of worried with her obsession with "tasting" rails, fences, sleeves, necklaces, hair, and...yes...Roscoe's hand...?

Derrick on the phone checking up on my dad.

If you are wondering why he has a walking stick, he hurt his foot jumping off the same waterfall the week before we all came. nice.

Homecoming 

Dad joined us on the 23rd. He has to wear a back brace for a while, but everything should heal in about 8 weeks. Can you tell the man is loaded on percocet!?

Talen

The next day, Talen started out with a fever. He has a history of febrile seizures and has gone to lots of specialists without any answers. He ended up having 3 seizures that day, the third lasted over a minute and he wasn't breathing. We called 911, and he was rushed to the hospital. It was so scary and sad. I love my sweet little nephew so much and felt so awful for Derrick and Rochelle. They have been dealing with this since he was a babe, and I can't even imagine how scared and helpless they must feel.

He came home the next day and is doing fine.

Love him!!

Swimming

We swam just about everyday.

I LOVE this picture.

Roscoe was hilarious. He swam all over the place and if he started to sink, he calmly yelled "Help" with his little raspy voice.

My kiddos

The Rockstar was jumping off of everything, sometimes without any warning. He is completely fearless! What a little Stud!

Shawn's Birthday

Da Ball Game

We went to a Major League game. Diamond Backs Vs. Padres. I had no idea how fun these are! I just about lost my voice cheering! Happy Birthday Shawn!

He really is never serious!

See what I am talking about!?

Tayson on cloud 9!

Oh, and we saw Senator McCain there too!

Bet you wish you had voted for him now huh!?

Party

Shawn and Kaylee had a joint party that night. 

Cheezer!

The End

Overall the trip was such a blast! Hopefully next year will go a little smoother.

Thanks Derrick and Rochelle!