from the grand canyon to zion

it has been a good day. only 5 hours in the car, a few neat stops along the way, an air conditioned room with a pool, and a beautiful Zion National Park. And Noah had a great day which is a plus. I have to say though this trip is bittersweet without Jess. Although I am quite certain we would not be able to do everything we have, I would still give anything for her to be with us physically just to experience a tiny bit of it all. I guess I am in abit of a sad slump right now missing her terribly. Thanks so such for getting the word out and for supporting the foundations and us. Love to all....until next blog...

Hot summer days....

To say that I am dependent on the technological world, is an understatement. Three days with little to no contact with our cells and internet was interesting. Probably good for us, but also difficult. Yosemite was gorgeous, breathtaking, amazing, and incredibly hot. Temps in the 102-105 range and our accomodations were nice, but did not have air conditioning so needless to say we were active in the park in the early part of the day, hung out in our room in the afternoon (out of the heat) and returned to the park in the evenings. It is hard to describe the wonder of God's creation, and I was reminded the last few days of the reasons we loved living in Colorado. I will never take the natural beauty of creation for granted. I think I can honestly say that because it overwhelms me. When we lived in the mountains, I remember Jason and I talking time and again about how we didn't understand getting used to the beauty of creation. It was and will always be a reminder of God's perfection.

On another note, we did hike our longest at Yosemite. 1.8 miles up to the base of a falls and 1.8 miles back down. It wasn't easy but I am proud to say that not only did Noah do a great job and not give up, but I made it too :) It has reminded me that the elliptical that sits in our family room needs to get put back into use when we get home.

I am getting wordy (surprise, surprise) so I will close and say thanks for hanging with us through this adventure. We are two weeks in with one to go, and we continue to ask for prayers of safety and most importantly prayers of compassion and generosity for those who read our blog and story.

what i have learned part 2

so I sense a theme in my blogs- about every 48-72 hours I will share a few things I have learned. Here is the latest:

Downtown Seattle and Pike's Market do not jive with a 9 year old with Asperger's :( Noah was overwhelmed and I decided it will be a destination for Jason and I to visit alone.

Sleeping in a nice hotel every once in awhile makes for happy Beecher campers :) (Westin in Seattle)

Sometimes the route that you think will bring you to a breathtaking view of mountains, only takes you through the woods. (could barely get to a point where we could see Mount Rainier and Mount St Helen's today)

It is ok to make your husband turn around in Forks, Washington, when you realize it is the hometown of the Twilight series that you love so much! (will post pics when able)

To watch your child see the ocean for the first time, is amazing. To run and splash in the waves of the ocean with your child is priceless!

And finally,

you can sit in a car for essentially the entire day, and still find yourself completely exhausted at the end of the day.

till next time-thanks for checking in and please remember to get the word out about the fundraiser~

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY....

I know I didn't blog yesterday- there is not a ton to tell you about except the rain just stopped about 2 hours ago and we are loving the sun again. Unfortunately it has meant more time in the cabin than we had hoped for. I am very in tune with "I Carly" episodes (thank God for computers that play movies) We did venture out into the 57 degree weather to go swimming in the heated pool. Noah has discovered he likes smores and tether ball and I have discovered I think I am addicted to good coffee, because I have managed to get one about every other day and I am so excited when I can get a real white chocolate hazelnut mocha! Until we are in Seattle....thanks for checking in!

Things I have learned from the boys....

I have learned a few things from my boys in the last 48 hours. First, I stink at bocce ball in comparison to them. Second, Noah is a rockstar hiker (ok it was only a 2 mile round trip but he did great). Third, give Jason some wood, tin foil and a campfire pit and he can cook up some great chicken. And finally,Noah is a very friendly kid and it doesn't matter where you hail from (today it was two kids from the Netherlands) he will be your friend!

On another note, Jess was definetly with us today. We had a picnic lunch down by a mountain lake and before we knew it a female deer was standing not 20 feet from us eating. She didn't get spooked or anything and stayed with us til just before we packed up and headed back to the car. Lisa and family, this was our butterfly spot number one!

Ok- so I am new to this blogging thing but I will give it a whirl!

Highlights for me on day one:

Noah (as we get to MIles City- 9 hours into the trip) "Guys, is there a DQ here cuz I sure could use one!"

Jamming to "Bohemian Rhapsody"- Wayne's World style- with Jason

Good Buffalo Wild Wings supper thanks to the Gibbons gift certificates!

Snuggling in a less than average hotel room with Noah watching Ratatouille!

I'll try to post each day- no guarantees though!

(As you noticed I didn't really have a Theodore Roosevelt National Park highlight- not that isn't a good park- I think the anticipation of what is to come in the mountains made the park seem quite uneventful to me)

First Post

Hello.