Halloween 2017

Another episode of 3 o'clock wake up time today.  I have been waking up at exactly 3 am  for few nights now and I couldn't go back to sleep.  I guess, it's a good thing  since it give me time to  write my thoughts. 

Christmas has passed and still trying to catch up with my posting.  Most of the times, I just want to sit down in front of my computer and write everything but that doesn't happen.  Ideally, I  have a plan to do that but my plan doesn't always work.  Mental block or writer's block is always my issue.  I am so distracted with so many things especially that my kids and husband are on Christmas break.  The only way I can do this is  waking up early and  writing one article or two before they wake up.    Family time is more important than anything else so spending time with them is my utmost priority.

Anyway, we spent our Halloween   at the school for the Falloween celebration and then our friend invited us over at their  home to spend the rest of the Halloween celebration.  Our children  went trick or treating with their kids with the Dads and I stayed with my friend at their home handing out candies to Trick or Treaters.

I could have had a great walk  if I went t with the kids but it was too cold for me so I  stayed with my friend and we had fun.

As my kids get older, their preferences constantly changes.  They no longer interested in store bought costume.  They want to make it for  themselves and if it doesn't work, they   improvise with  what's available.  That's a win for me because we all know how  expensive costumes are these days.  

Duck on a Rock #GrandCanyon

One of the very distinct shape that I love in Grand Canyon is the Duck on a Rock .  You won't see it  clearly on the picture I took because of the angle but  on the second photo, it is clear, the rock looks like a duck.  Grand Canyon was truly a  gorgeous and fascinating place I have ever seen.  In all the places we've been, Grand Canyon National Park is by far the most amazing, I was in awe!

 There are  many  scenic overlook in Grand Canyon.  Some of them made me sick, imagining that one of my kids is going to fall if they go near it.  I was terrified when my son tried to  go near the edge, it made me sick to my stomach!

 I remember  hearing the conversation of two men in the museum that we  went to before leaving the park.  The caretaker of the museum said that there are deaths that occurred in the park  that was deemed accident but he believed that those wasn't really an accident.

 It was really hot when we visited but I really did not care.  The beautiful view, no matter where you go, will compensate the  extreme weather. 

 It was the most  memorable  wedding anniversary my husband and I had celebrated.  To think that we went there on our 14th anniversary was truly something very special.

Tune in for more  awesome  photos  of our amazing experience at Grand Canyon.  I would love to see the Havasu Falls sometime in the future.  Our trip  did not gave us enough time to  do a hike or anything like that but hopefully someday., we could go back and do something else other than just see  the beautiful views.

3 Safety Tips When Camping with Kids

Spending time camping with the kids can be one of the most enriching experiences you will ever have. There are few distractions out in the wild, whether in a campground or a primitive campsite, that is, unless you bring along the generator and an assortment of games and gadgets. But after all, why would you even entertain the notion of going camping if you were going to bring along all the electronic gizmos that eat up your life at home?

So then, with fewer electronics and more free time on your hands, the one thing you will want to do is teach the kids how to stay safe when help isn’t just around the corner. Here are three safety tips when camping with kids.

1. An Expanded Version of the Buddy System

While you may have drilled it into their heads that they are not to wander off alone, especially out in the wild, they may not be thrilled with the idea of a large family tent. After all, the pictures they’ve seen of kids camping have probably shown those Boy Scouts one-man pup tents - and that’s what they think camping is all about.

Actually, you will want to explore large eight or ten person tents available on sites like My Family Tent. The reason you want to have everyone sleeping under one canvas roof at night is for safety. Sure, the kids will probably keep you up all hours of the night, but at least you know they are in a sleeping bag within arm’s reach, so you can protect them if the need arises.

Explain this as an expanded version of the buddy system they use when playing outdoors at home. They may complain a bit, but it really is the safest way to camp with kids.

2. No Open Flames in the Tent – Period!

Experienced campers know the dangers open flames can present in a tent, but some parents are still fascinated with kerosene or butane lanterns. This is a definite no-no! Also, never burn citronella candles in a tent to keep mosquitos at bay and never light a lighter or match in a tent. Your tent may be labeled ‘fire retardant’ or ‘fire resistant’ but that does not mean it will not go up in flames. Fire resistant is not synonymouswith fireproof.

3. Keep the First-Aid Kit at Hand

When camping, mosquito bites may be the least of your concerns. They itch like crazy and may get infected if scratched with dirty little fingers, but there are other insects which can cause a nasty sting requiring the use of an EpiPen. If you’ve never been stung by a bee or bitten by a spider, you just don’t know if you are allergic and what the reaction might be.

Camping injuries you may need to deal with could be burns, cuts, scrapes, and bruises, so never take kids camping without a good First-Aid kit especially for campers.

These are just three important safety tips for camping with kids, but you can find an entire safety checklist if you do a little research. Camping can be one of the best memories you’ll make with your family, but don’t let that be a nightmare to remember. Safety above all else is the proverb to camp by.

You can also check out how to save money on family camping trips.

Hoover Dam Bridge

The Hoover Dam bridge  was beautiful.   The Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge is an arch bridge in the United States that spans the Colorado River between the states of Arizona and Nevada.  We crossed this bridge when we had our road trip to Grand Canyon.  The kids were amazed because we were just looking at it when we were  exploring the Hoover Dam and to be able to cross it was a  thrilling experience for them.

They called this bridge the Hoover Dam Bypass Project during the construction but it is now named  the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. It was named to honor O’Callaghan,  a former governor of Nevada and a  former professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals, Tillman,  who joined the Army in 2002 and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004. 

According to desertusa.com, the bridge is suspended by a 1,060 foot, twin-rib concrete arch, the largest of its kind in North America, and is 1,900 feet long. The bridge is 890 feet above the Colorado River.

Aside from the Hoover Dam, the bridge is  also a beautiful  addition to this tourist spot.  I didn't notice it when we were there but there is actually a walkway along the bridge, it gives tourists a great view of the dam.  I wouldn't want to  walk there anyway, for one, height is not my thing and  it also said that it can be windy there as well.  

If you are visiting Nevada, I would suggest you include the Hoover Dam  in your list.  It's a great feeling to be able to see such an amazing  structure that took years to complete.  It's a magnificent  engineering project.  The Hoover Dam bridge is  an added bonus to see.