So Friday night we celebrated the wedding at the reception in Mesa. As the bride and groom ran under our intertwined hands raised in the air, we immediately began to pack everything up to head north. Months prior to this trip, we had decided that we were so close to the Grand Canyon, 4 hours away, and it would be a shame to miss out. Since we had the only rental car, Graham's brother and his wife traveled up with us to see it. We drove for almost three hours into a town called Flagstaff. I hear it's gorgeous, but by one AM after that exhausting day I jumped out of the car destined for the bed, I wouldn't of cared if it was Atlantis at that point.

     But mysterious things were going on. We noticed huge chunks of ice, the remnants of snow, as we walked inside. Wistfully, the four of us concluded how fun snow would be, particularly since my sister in law hadn't ever experienced it, and Graham even mentioned it in our nightly prayers.

    Five in the morning we jumped up, or kind of lumbered out like knots on a log, to see the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. It was our last day on the trip and we were determined to make the most of it. We drove the remaining hour, unhappily realizing we would miss the sunrise- seriously, we only got four hours of sleep only to miss it? But away we trudged, deciding that we would do other things after we left the Grand Canyon. 

    Funny thing, so right before you hit the National Park, there is a small town- more of a tourist trap really- with a special IMAX Theatre and a single McDonald's. We were starving, so we had to get breakfast and...... Then it was like the heavens opened. Eyes turned into the size of saucers. Our prayers were heard, and even answered. Right there, next to McDonald's, was a vast open space covered in inches of snow.  

    We threw snowballs (I even managed to get hit right square in the face with one), made snow angels, captured the memories with photos. Four college educated adults played like mere children. I'm sure those driving by thought we were nuts but hey- this is a rare event for Georgians/Floridians!!  

I know I have that crazed look going on, but it was our first time together in the snow :)

    

    From this point on, we entered into the National Park to see the Grand Canyon. 

    After we made a pit stop for hot chocolate, toboggans and warmth, we left the local shops to finally witness the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. And as we finally got uphill enough, and looked over the banisters, we could see......

    Fog. Yes, that's right. We drove 4 hours with 4 hours of sleep to see fog.  With a hint of the canyon, too. We piddled around with the snow, including a looong snowball fight between Graham and Jared. (After the snowball to the eye and frostbitten fingers, I preferred to watch.)

    After our wait, this is what we came to see. So magnificent. Of course, you can't go to the Grand Canyon without matching your beloved so, please, enjoy ;)

    After staring for a substantial amount of time, the rest of the gang showed up! Las Brisas (Billy, Sunny, and Josh) pulled up, and more snowball wars induced. Sunny hadn't even played in the snow either, so he was making it a memorable occasion. The Grand Canyon was spectacular, but the snow was truly the cherry on top. 

    I just feel the need to reiterate, one more time, how fun this way. So, so, so much fun! I actually did manage to throw a snowball. :)

    We spent several hours playing and enjoying the Grand Canyon, including an old watchtower. But as someone said, you can only spend so much time looking at one thing! So we left again for Flagstaff to try a restaurant that Guy Fieri encountered. Afterwards we drove back through a town called Sedona, a really gorgeous city nestled amidst mountains. I didn't take any photos of my own, so I am shamelessly borrowing my sister-in-law's!

    Sedona was the last of our sight-seeing for the trip. We drove back to Mesa, deposited J&K to the place they were staying and made it to our Phoenix hotel by 10. We were asleep by 10:30, exhausted by such a great trip that kept us moving! At 8AM we were on a plane, rising above all of the mountainous terrain, and my mind wondered to the past few days. In that short time I had:
-had my first plane trip
-rented my first car
-finally traveled out West
-entered a new state
-been in the desert
-saw mountains
-entered two more temples
-eaten at 3 new restaurants (Jack in the Box, Cafe Rio, In and Out)
-had my first true snowball fight
-made my first snowman (albeit tiny)
-saw the Grand Canyon
-drove through mountains
-realized how much fun exploring the world could be

    Arizona easily exceeded the expectations I had for it. It was such a wonderful trip. But how ready I was to come home to my little apartment. :) 

ARIZONA: Mesa/Phoenix/Gilbert

    When we last left off about our Arizona trip, Graham and I had only experienced a day and a half of spontaneous, highly adventurous fun. We'd jumped on a plane, climbed small mountains and ravished throughout the surrounding cities.
    Yet, the root of our trip was simple: to witness the marriage of Graham's friend Mitch to his gorgeous fiance, Abigail! Friday morning we slowly trudged out of bed, packing all of our belongs back into the car, since we would be hotel hopping for the rest of the trip.
    In typical Alexander style, we arrived to the Mesa Temple- only a mile away from our hotel- late! (Insert apologetic smirk here.) Luckily, things fell into place and we arrived just in time to witness a beautiful ceremony. I am so grateful to be apart of a faith that offers us so much.

    Somehow we did not manage to get the bride, groom and us into a picture! Oh well. Everyone looked adorable and carried huge smiles on their faces! After we separated from the bridal party, we were spent the rest of the day in attendance with the Las Brisas Gang, of which Graham claims membership. For all of those who don't know: Las Brisas is the bachelor pad of Graham and his bro's. 

    It's hard for me to describe Graham's relationship with his best friends. He loves them as if they're his kin, and he is always jumping to spend time with them; particularly Billy, his friend he has lost to the Iowan tundra. He had me promise to spend a full day with them, so Friday it was. We'd heard it was worth it to drive back to Phoenix and check out a sight known as the Hole in the Rock. Onward!

Before any unnecessary thoughts are thought about my lack of coordination, just know that I purposefully planned to not pack all denim, and by so doing my outfit was a little crazy :)

Also, Sunny overextended himself by attempting to climb up the wrong, unadvised way in shoes with no grip. Joshua came to the rescue!

Come on now. I need you all to understand how awesome this spot was!

    We were told that this location was a really cool spot to take pictures, completely true. 

     Okay, just know that I realize this is too over the top, but I can't stand it. This spot was flawless.

As we said farewell to Phoenix, we entered the surrounding city of Gilbert. Feast your eyes! This my friends, is the brand new Gilbert Temple! I was humbled to be able to go inside of it. It's very grand, very spiritually uplifting, very... well, very every-positive-adjective-you-can-imagine. 

    Finally, finally, it was time for the reception! I'll let everyone know now- this is what I live for. Receptions/Weddings are seriously the coolest because they're jam packed with upbeat music, goodies, happy families and dancing! Just know that I jived like a fool with no shame, dancing with a chocolate covered pretzel like it was nobody's business.

Congratulations Mitch and Abigail! Thanks for allowing us to take part in your special day :)

ARIZONA: Mesa/Scottsdale

    Thursday was technically the second day to our five day trip, yet the first full day for exploration. After waking up about 9, we were dying to cruise around town! 

    As we got in our vehicle in search of a recommended Red Mountain, we jumped in our rental car and began wheeling around. As soon we pulled out on the road Graham said, "look mountains!" Unbeknownst to us when we flew in at dark, we were surrounded in every direction by them! It was my first time personally seeing mountains; they were magnificent. 

    Our first stop really just showed us (mostly me, Graham had visited Arizona once before) the true desert landscape. It was just a stark contract as opposed to Georgia or Florida. It's crazy the diversity that can be found on this continent! 

    After stopping for a moment to buy breakfast at CVS we decided to hike a mountain, Graham has scoffed at that title and insisting it was merely a foothill! Nay, I say, it was not- at least, climbing it certainly felt mountain like. Judge not from the initial photos! The later ones show how large it really was :)

    When we came back down I finally saw my first cactus over a few inches tall! The desert is a strange, beautiful place. 

    From this point on, Graham and I did not have a point in our trip with just the two of us. We formed a few different groups with friends who flew out with us from back home. It was really nice though, it definitely enhanced our trip! We  met up with Graham's younger brother and his wife who were staying with a local who served his mission with Jared. This guy chauffeured us around all day, which was so nice!

    Our first stop, after a really good lunch at Cafe Rio, was an old mining town called Goldfield Ghost Town. Imagine time traveling to an old western town and you've probably conjured up better than what I could describe! This actually was pretty interesting location; there was a gold mine to explore, an ice cream parlor, a train ride, a place to pan for gold, a little gun shooting game, a small zip line and some of the most scenic views to exist. I'm telling you, if you're in Mesa, visit this place. It is SO worth it.

    Yes. I did say zip line and you know we had to ride it! I will just say that when we were at the top, it was breathtaking. The mountains towering around us, the desert just as dry and exotic as ever.

    After this we drove over to some place I'll never remember the name of it! It was in the outskirts of Mesa, and we drove on an intensely bumpy and winding road! I was actually terrified, just because I am so nervous about wrecking, and prayed for our driver throughout. 

    We passed a humongous water fountain, I believe the highest shooting fountain our tourguide said. We actually passed that to visit a National (possibly? I don't know) park and gorgeous place alongside the road with horses.

    But what I was excited about was the Indian reservation we were on :) I'll be honest, it wasn't what I expected at all. It mostly appeared to be inhabited desert land, sprinkled with a few mobile homes and one large casino. More than anything, it made me sad that all of the recent things I have heard or read about Native Americans seem to be true: Anericanized, poor, gamblers. Of course I can definitely not say that this is true of all, just seems to be a generalization with some truths. But I did have to smile when I saw an old red skinned man with long black hair and a few feathers on his cap. I love my heritage! 

    After all of traveling we had to rush over to the groom-to-be's house to prepare for a preweddig party! So we met up with Mitch (aka Groom) and his two friends visiting from England -international wedding, woop woop!- and all left for supper. In and Out is one of those fast food places that I have heard about from friends who live (or have lived) out West. I, not being a hamburger kind of lady, had a grilled cheese and a shake: pretty tasty :) 

    Then we were on to Scottsdale to engage in a go kart activity. Okay, I know what you're thinking: 'go kart? So what. Lame.' 

    Wrong. This is an intense 45mph race, in an open little cart, subject to more danger and this more fun. We wore head socks (giggle, giggle), Graham tested his strength with a punching bag, I played a few rounds of ice hockey. I'm coming back for a rematch Jared Alexander (who seems to beat me in every single competitive thing we do- croquet, phase 10, ugh)! Overall, this was so, so much fun! I told Graham that if we ever opened a business then this would be it. 

(FYI: Lav Fox=Mitch, Midfield General=Ollie, Graham Cracker=Graham,  Lacizzle=Lacey, Birdy=Jared, Kipin It Real=Kipin, Rachael=Rachael.    Ha! Totally forgot I beat Jared! Woo! Redemption! For real, I'm too competitive.)

    

    Go, Mitch, Go! The man of the hour was our winner! After we exhausted ourselves with that, we had to go for some gelato. By the time we finished with that I was ready to crawl in the bed. Originally Thursday was our only free day, and boy did we give it justice. This was one of the most amazing days I have ever experienced.