Spring Break 2023!

Is this the last Spring Break for the Geertsen's in our trusty van??? Possibly. We debated renting a car, but it made more sense to get a good check-up and put whatever rental money into the van. At the check-up the guy said, "Looks good to me!" We packed up, said a family prayer and headed out!

A semi-good shot of the Geertsen family packed in the family van, off on another adventure! I would be swapping seats with most of the kids on this trip. These bigger bodies don't want to be crammed in the back for too long.

I am endeared to the Hole in the Rock because I remember stopping here on the way to the Ranch with the Woolf side. It's a fun little spot and we found some treasures. This is where we met up with Cash~ SPRING BREAK!!!

 We drove to Bears Ears and made our way to the beginning of the hike to House on Fire. This is a place I have wanted to see with my own eyes for a long time. It was really neat!

I gave Cal my phone so that he could take pics down inside through the windows so we could see what in the heck was in there. We joked wondering where we'd put our new found pottery?

The warm sun was indeed glorious! 

Can you see why it is called House on Fire? It is so neat!

Wowsers!

We then made our way to Cortez where Jon had reserved our two hotel rooms for the night and got checked in and settled. Our rooms were fun- they had a little "bunk room" that made it so all four kids could have their own little space. Cash's had the same setup and it was perfect~ go Jon! After getting settled and freshened up, we all met up and walked to dinner. It was a nice warm night as we made our way down the street to a delicious Mexican restaurant. 

The next day is Zeke's FOURTEENTH birthday! To be honest, he wasn't super jazzed about this trip. He said he would rather be home for his birthday, as always falls on Spring Break so traveling is what he is used to on his big day, and according to him he is tired of it. He would have rather been home with friends. I felt bad- especially because his birthday would fall on a bit of a travel day! We tried to make it as jolly as we could. Ashley and her kids put streamers over our hotel door and decorated our van, "HONK for the birthday Boy!" So sweet to make it extra fun! 

That birthday sign you see has been his since he was a baby and I put it up every year. It got left behind in the room somehow. I'm real sad about it!. 

He got everything on his birthday list he wished for, so hopefully that will lift his spirits! Hurrah for more Jnco's!

Jon pulled the van to the hotel entrance and the kids loaded up. We were packing up the last of the trunk and chatting when Jon said, "The van just turned off." Whaaaaa??? It has never done that! Then it didn't start. Oh nooooo. Cade came around and he and Jon started poking around in the hood, neither knowing what they were looking for. At this point Paisley asked if her light-up mirror got packed. It's a great mirror, I gave it to her for her birthday for New York. I wanted to run up to the room to make sure it wasn't left behind. I got a front desk key and ran up to the room. I was so stressed about the van, praying so hard in my heart that the van would get us home- Should we just turn around and head home? Should we try to find a rental in Cortez and just leave the van? These were thoughts while I searched, frazzled for the mirror- with no luck, and I guess I didn't even notice Zeke's birthday banner was still hanging on the wall? Didn't find the mirror either, which made me assume it was in plain sight. Geeesh!

Cade insisted we not turn around and reasoned it made sense to press on and they'd stay behind us to keep an eye on us. It did start back up, but not right away. This is an old car! We bought it over 16 years ago used. We talked about how grateful we've been for it and all the places it has taken us. I prayed: Now just get us to Cortez, The Four Corners, Sedona, Phoenix, The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, St. George, and home!

We headed towards the ruins of Cortez. We marveled at these pits that were dug in the ground, with little holes for tools and fires. We all tried to picture climbing down in there after a long, tiring day. 

The kids were not very impressed until...

This place really was amazing! It is another place I have wanted to see with my own eyeballs. We talked about how neat it would be to turn a dial back and see how it looked when it was a bustling habited place. How they climbed down in there with babies on their backs is amazing! We just took it all in for some time. I didn't realize it would be such a sight in real life! 

I have to say, I was a bit stressed about the car every time we stopped, wondering if it would start back up. I didn't want to be a burden to Cash~ and then my stress levels would shoot up as so many people kept honking at us. My first thought was, "Whaaaaat is happening with the car???" Then I remembered the Birthday sign. HONK FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY! 

From there we headed out to the Four Corners. I can't believe I have never been here before! It is just enough out of the way I suppose is why I have never stopped in. It's pretty cool!

From there we all piled in the cars to head to Sedona! The wind was really picking up and we thought it looked like we were driving on Mars.

We arrived into beautiful Sedona in the evening. Everything looked so pretty! What a gorgeous place, I had no idea. We pulled up to the house and squealed with delight. It was so beautiful and really played the part with the stucco, beautiful plants covering the yard, gorgeous tile and a fountain. The house felt so nostalgic to me, not too touched since the 90's maybe. I appreciated the dark wood cabinets in the kitchen and overall it had a cozy, authentic vibe opposed to a more modern vibe that wouldn't fit the area. 

Soon enough the Goulding's arrived, but didn't want to join us for Zeke's sushi birthday dinner, as they had just eaten. It was fun to go out and see the beautiful town. Cash joined us for a big feast at a great restaraunt. We all sang to Zeke and they brought him a birthday dessert. I hoped that made him feel jolly. 

Then when we all got back to the house we realized there was some colored lighting wired around so we turned on music videos and had a dance party. Ashley lit a pop tart and we sang again to little 14 year old Zeke. (Soooo niiiiiice.)

I could not be more in love with teenage Zeke. I tell him this all the time. "I LOVE Zeke at 14!" and he grins his cute grin. He's got the teenage style and attitude down and I love it all. I still call him my little sweetie.

The next morning we got up bright and early to make it to the Grand Canyon before the lines to get in were too bonkers. It was over an hour drive, and since the kids have seen it, we debated doing it in our sketchy van. But Cade jumped in insisting we go again, promising all would be just fine. So off we went!

It was chilly but the sun was shining and the views spectacular!

Ha! Cal...

It was seriously so gorgeous with the snow. 

Then the clouds started rolling in...

And suddenly the view was gone and it began to snow!

We drove to a different rim away from the storm to see more. I was remembering the last time we were there and the kids were so little and I was so nervous as they chased each other and slid on the rocks next to the edge!

Adren put on his earphones because the wind was so cold whipping against his head. He stopped to let a group climb up past him before he stepped down and the mom grabbed her kids and told them to let the guy go first. I thought it odd until Ashley and I realized she probably thought he was special needs with sensory issues.

After we saw all we could at the beautiful Grand Canyon we headed back to Sedona. I climbed in the back so Adren could drive and not feel so stir-crazy. In sixteen years of owning this van, I don't think I've ever seen this view.

That night when we got back to the house Sadie had put up a banner and put out cupcakes and icecream. Sooooo niiiiiiice.

Ivy came out dressed in Eli's clothes. Ha! She looked sooooo cuuuuuute :)

And Paisley put her curlers in Violet's hair the night before and the curls were amazing!

We went out into the town that day to find some places to hike. Everywhere we tried, the parking lots were full! We finally found a neat spot to check out. It was a really pretty hike that sort of wound up to a lookout point. We then stopped at a pizza place for lunch. Because we are such a large group, we knew our order would take some time. We were able to fine one long table off to the side that seated us all. We all took turns making up games to play around the table while we waited. It was fun!

After more checking out the town and realizing it was packed to the max, we packed up and headed off to Pheonix!

We checked into the house and grabbed dinner nearby. Ashley pointed out how cute it looked, all the Geerts kids hanging on their dad.

The next morning we got up early and headed to the Mesa Temple. This temple was so gorgeous inside! Lots of yellows and lavenders. All the kids went to do baptisms and by the time Jon and I got changed and ready, we were too late for the endowment session. We did initiatories instead, then waited in the celestial room for Brent, Sadie and Cade to join us. I watched two older ladies whispering in what seemed an intense conversation. Only because all I could see was the one ladies facial expressions which was a lot of eye-popping, mouth opening and slowly shaking her head while she gripped her neck. Something shocking was going down on that celestial couch.

Angel babies.

Our great family. Really. They are so great.

Sadie insisted I get a picture in my bright pink sweater next to the bright pink flowers. Okay.

From there we checked out a super crazy store Ashley knew about that had big brands for teeny-tiny prices. The store was packed, a mess, and the line to check out wrapped around the perimeter. I immediately get sweaty in these kinds of stores. Zeke found a VANS hoodie he was bonkers for, and Paisley found a darling long silk purple skirt, so I got in line for them while they kept looking. I think everyone found a lil' something. 

We headed back to the house, grabbed some groceries and changed to head to the big Diamond Back's  season opener!

We immediately love the vibe at baseball games. Nothing like it - SO FUN!

Poor Solly was tooooo sad that his team wasn't doing well. Devastated. 

Adren just couldn't resist and went to buy a Jersey. (Big regrets not getting one at the game in San Fran.) Looks real good on him!

Best night ever!!!

Everyone really wanted plenty of pool time back at the house. Both kinds of pool. And basketball, and hot tubbing and cornhole. It was a great house and a great warm spring evening in Pheonix! 

The craziest thing happened that night. I was woken up about 1am to a woman outside Jon and I's bedroom door saying, "Hello? Hello?" Jon went out to investigate. I listened to the conversation, not wanting to get involved at all. A woman was telling Jon that she had rented this house for the night. She had just flown in, was exhausted, her daughter was out in the car and were we sure we were legit supposed to be here? And if so, why did she have the same reservation and the same code to get in the house? I was thinking- Either way, we are here for the night, let's figure out tomorrow! But she stayed and stayed. Understandably frustrated, not at us, but there was nothing we could do about it at 1am. I heard Cade and Ashely's voices as they all tried to work it out, trying to call the Air Bnb manager. I couldn't believe she actually came all the way in the house! Jon and I's room was an addition clear in the back! She thought it odd to drive up to cars in the driveway, but proceeded. She opened the door and saw a pile of shoes by the door and proceeded. This could have gone so badly for her! It was all just so bizarre. The manager finally returned the call. He said, "Oops. My bad. I gave you the wrong address, you are supposed to be down the street. Same door code." Whaaaa??? I woke in the morning to a chair in front of the front door, piled with glasses and bowls. It was Cade's make-shift alarm system. The next morning we talked how crazy that was! All the kids in the bunkroom were also listening wondering what in the heck was going on.

Cade took a group golfing!

This would ignite a passion for golf in Adren that would carry him throughout the spring. Many golfing trips with friends and Grandpa Geertsen. Grandpa even bought him golf clubs! I loved that they were able to go together so many times before he would leave on his mission, really special! Adren wished he had more time to golf, but I'm sure he'll pick it back up in two years!

The six of us siblings were able to steal away into downtown one night for a really delicious dinner. We drove around the area- a well known neighborhood for the charming houses. I still think about those! It was such a gorgeous area, and the air so fragrant with the blossoms. Springtime in Pheonix is really spectacular. 

We packed up the house, sad to say good-bye to so much fun, but also a bit tainted from the weird experience and the poor way the manager was handling it. What to do? Press on!

Onward-bound to the Hoover Dam! The last we were here was a Spring Break trip to Pheonix with the Boc's when the kids were so little. 

Paisley and I had just watched When Fools Rush In so we had to get a shot of Paisley!

It warms my heart to see these cousins having so many neat experiences together!

From Hoover we headed straight to the Hurricane House. It was so nice to have a place to stretch our legs and take a break from the drive! We set up a sea of blankets and all the kids crafted some beaded bracelets then fell asleep to a movie. The Goulding's and Cash headed out first thing, and it was nice to take our time getting out of there. 

Here's a pic of the miles Cade put in- we all put in! We covered so much, it was so fun to see all that we did and especially all be together for such a wild adventure!

As we pulled in to our home that night, I felt so grateful that our van made it all that way! My goodness! So grateful we all had a great time, and so grateful for the best siblings and cousins :)