Time With Family...

We spent a full week in Flagstaff (about two hours north of Phoenix) with Rebekah (Brandon's sis), Bryan (her husband), Mike, and Sue (B's parents).
It was a brisk but lovely 50-70 degrees throughout the week and we had ourselves a good time!
The week's events included:

Hitting a few balls at the driving range. It was Bekah's first time...so that was fun :)

A visit to Sedona where we discovered a little friend lizard.

Awww. Mr. & Mrs. M. Brandon Koplin :)

The boys being silly at slide rock in Sedona.

The water could not have been any warmer than 50 degrees. It reminded me of the glacier lake where I went water skiing in Waterton, Canada.

The whole fam (minus me and the little boys) hiked Havasupai. It is about a 20 mile hike with some of the most amazing natural water falls and swimming holes.
This is a pic of Brandon and his little sis :)

Father and Son.

Brandon enjoying the views.

The little town found at the end of the hike cannot be reached by car but only by donkey or helicopter. Crazy, eh?

Here is the crew going strong on the first leg of the hike.

We also hiked down into the lava tubes about 13 miles outside of Flagstaff. It was 40 degrees cold inside and pitch black. We made it to the end of the tunnel (one mile deep) with both James and Maxwell in tow. They did well for the most part...but toward the end James was so distressed. He really missed the warmth and light of the sun.
I took the teaching moment and ran with it...I told James that living in that cave is like living without Heavenly Father's love. It's dark and cold and lonely. I explained that when we reach the mouth of the cave where the sun illuminates the lush forest and warms the earth that is like Heavenly Father's love for us. It makes us feel happy and warm and alive.
I don't think he'll forget that analogy any time soon.
The following picture illustrates exactly what I mean:

Here we all are standing in the parking lot outside the lava tubes (after we had finished).
LtoR: Joan, James, Bryan, Rebekah, Sue, Maxwell (with G'pa's hat on), Mike, & Brandon.

Max and James.
I'm not sure why they are scowling in this pic? Possibly reminiscing about the cold, dark cave they just left behind?

Thank you Rebekah and Bryan for letting us share your time share with you! It meant a lot to us that you drove all the way to AZ to be with us (that was your only reason, right?!) We love you.
And we are glad that Mike and Sue joined us as well. Thank you Mike for paying for ice-cream out and multiple lunches. We were well taken care of thanks to you!


Here is a video of me going down slide rock.