Road Trip #1, 2009 - Destination: Williams, AZ.

Last night we made a spur of the moment decision to take our first family road-trip of 2009. Our first thought was snow and our second thought of course was... trains! So off to Williams, AZ we headed. We loaded up the "Big One" around 8am this morning and headed off down the road. We wanted to take full advantage of the snow scenery so we decided to cut through Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon on our way up to Flagstaff and then over to Williams. Awesome decision! The snow was so beautiful! And for the most part it was all fresh because it had snowed the night before. It was absolutely breathtaking and a must see if you have never seen Sedona or Oak Creek Canyon covered in snow. Okay - almost covered in snow. Enjoy the pics!

There is a really great rest stop (aka scenic view) about 1/2 way between Sedona & Flagstaff on 89A. We stopped there first so the kids could get out and run around and because there was TONS of snow!

Look how high they shoveled the snow! It comes all the way up to Asa's shoulders! And, yes - he did try to "climb" the snow. Decided it was to cold on his hands. Lexi on the other hand... the cold or the snow didn't bother her one bit. She loved it! She got right out and started picking up large chuncks of snow. Only one problem... she refused to put the chunck of snow down. She wanted to carry it the entire time we were walking. It was really sweet to watch her.

We thought about building our own snow man, but found this one already built instead! Oh well - maybe next year.

The love of my life - the keeper of my flame. Thanks John for an amazing weekend. I love you! FYI... Credit for all these amazing pictures goes to John. (You can tell the ones I took - taken through the dirty windshield while we are driving down the road.)

Good thing we brought an extra set of dry clothes! Good thinking, Mom!

Slowly getting over the fact that snow is cold... He even got over it enough to throw a few snowballs at Daddy! (Asa has great aim by the way!)

You almost think he is in trouble here, huh? Nope. He's not. I even had to ask John when I turned around. Apparently he just decided to stop for a rest.

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Here is where they discovered that snow is EDIBLE!

Never a dull moment with Lexi... another one of her classic silly faces.

Here we are in Williams at the Train Station. Asa was getting pretty excited at this point, but I saw these amazing icicles outside and had to snap a quick pic.

Asa's new toy we got at the Train Station. A wooden train whistle. Didn't take him long to figure it out either. And believe me, once he got the hang of it that was the only thing we heard for the next FIVE HOURS!!!! But each time he blows into and makes it whistle he gets the biggest smile on his face so it is so worth it.

Finally the Train! Asa was pretty impressed with it, but really wanted to go inside and meet the Conductor. Unfortunately didn't work out this time, but we will definitely be back either the end of this year or in a few more years to go on The Polar Express.