The Dam

This post is for those interested in engineering and for an appreciation of math without calculators.  On our vacation we were educated in the art of dam construction.  An added benefit was the copious use of the word "Dam" in several contexts, courtesy of our tour guide.  You can imagine the 7 year old's reaction.

The Hoover Dam, formerly the Boulder City Dam, was built prior to the use of many modern inventions.  This feat alone is impressive. Check out the measurement technique.

Inside the dam there are several "spacious" tunnels and stairwells.

With a few air vents.

And, can you say understatement?

Especially when considering these...

We also had the privilege of marveling at the resultant man made lake, Lake Mead.

And the Tillman Bridge, which was built solely for traffic congestion purposes.  Interesting fact, the tour guides have been asked if you can fish off the bridge....hmmmm.

Another interesting fact?  The tour was interesting enough to keep both kids fully engaged...and allowed them to push the elevator buttons....which is apparently a very big deal.

Ooh Aah

How has your winter been?  Has it looked like this? With a record number of days below zero, canceling school due to windchill, we were glad a break was in sight.

While the winter has been more brutal than anticipated, we knew the cold was coming and decided to book a sun-soaked vacation well in advance as incentive for survival. What we did not know was how spectacular the trip would be.  I think the sign below sums it up well.

 Before our arrival to the majestic canyon, we stopped in Las Vegas for a show and a trip to the Hoover Dam (post to come later on that amazing feat of engineering).  What we also found was the Red Rock canyon - which looked to be straight out of a Loony Toons, Road Runner & Coyote, cartoon - our favorite.

Upon arrival to the Grand Canyon, the first thing we spotted was not actually the canyon...but something important to the Norman Clan. A Pullman train car... 

Following the discovery of the train within the park (who knew?!?!!) we discovered the canyon, which in all honesty was impossible to miss - absolutely spectacular.

We stayed in the park and were treated to numerous hikes, views, and meals.  It was a great trip.

There were a lot of beautiful sites.  So many that we tired of doing the normal family pose and allowed the true essence of who we are shine through.  Having a resting heart rate of 200 bpm due to the climb will do that to a person.

 It will also cause temporary insanity, believing one is safe on the edge of a cliff....

....And coax your children into doing the same :)

 The trails also taught us how utterly out of shape the cold makes us - well, Joe and I anyway.  The kids?  No problem. Natalie had the energy to say "Hello" to virtually every person on the trail - on the way UP.  Check out the trail....and we only went 1.5 miles down.

Sadly, we had to end our vacation - although my legs are not sad.  Somehow we managed to walk 40+ miles over the course of the 3 days at the Grand Canyon, add those walked miles to the time spent at the Red Rock Canyon and around Las Vegas and you can imagine how we feel. The girls felt it important to wave to the passengers on the Grand Canyon train on our final day - fitting.

Until next time, we leave you with an image that cannot possibly contain the shear beauty and enormity of this location.  When people state the Grand Canyon is worth a visit, it is an understatement and truly a spectacular site.

Sledding Hill

This winter has been brutal.  I don't think I'm alone in saying so either, it's been tough everywhere from the midwest to the east coast.  In fact, I think the below picture sums up how the winter has felt fairly well.

So when the temperature soared today to be close to 20F, we took the opportunity to enjoy the balmy weather - sledding style.

 Frigid - arctic blasts - have one positive, they make for super fast sledding hills.  If you couple this ice-snow hill with the current ongoing Olympic sport of skeleton, you end up with children who have no fear.

To our local Emergency Room's dismay, this head first challenge did not result in a visit.  In fact, I think the girls would challenge the hill to even greater risk if they could figure out how to make the trip down faster and more dangerous.

And the fun wasn't limited to them, Joe and I went several times as well.

Fun times for sure.

Love these people.

Bring on the hot chocolate.

Joy

Christmas time is and should be a time of joy, there is so much for which to be thankful. With the numerous traditions that take place, I find the best place to witness the joy during this phase of our life is through the girls perspective. I mean, they are just exceptionally happy....or is it just the sugar?

Iced sugar/gingerbread cookies + little girls  = constant giggling.

Then there is Christmas morning, you get reactions like this:

And this

And in our house, continued fun reactions throughout the day for other celebrations as well.

We hope that you had a wonderfully Joyful Christmas!

Oh Christmas Tree

November has quickly become December, there are terrific things about each month and season - one of them?  Finding a Christmas tree of course.  But first, a picture of my favorite people, because, why not?

We decided to go on a hunt for a tree this year - a bit out of character for those who know us.  Luckily, we picked a fairly mild day - and a dry day - snow is beautiful, but not while cutting and bringing a tree inside.

We had visitors for Thanksgiving this year and decided to utilize their help for the adventure - thanks Nana and Grandad.  There is a great Christmas tree farm fairly close to our house - Rum River Tree Farm, and we fully partook of all it had to offer.

The girls wanted to get in on the action, and shortly realized cutting down a tree is more work than you might think. 

Utilizing our "help" appropriately :)

One thing about Rum River Christmas Tree farm ....they don't just have trees.

Needless to say, both kids were very happy - one so happy we were concerned we may have to check her pockets before we left.

The nuttiness continues - it's great to see how much fun we can have with just about anything.  Here?  Linnea is pretending to be a "reindeer". 

                        Next steps...decorating and enjoying the snow we now have on the ground.

Until next time....enjoy your Christmas season!