The Reluctant Albatross: Sedona

Spent last Saturday in Sedona with the family. It was definitely a different trip than the last time I made the trek. I've been to Flagstaff (30 miles north of Sedona) a bazillion times in the past five years I've lived in Arizona, but have only been to Sedona twice. The last trip was quick hour hike with two of my sisters. This one was more family orientated. We've had four babies born to different siblings this year in my family, and three of them were there for an inaugural trip. It's a completely different experience traveling with children. Not that I have any of my own, but I'm very close to my siblings, and helped my sister with her 5 month old, because she came out for a visit without her husband.

 Lunch became a drawn out affair that lasted well over an hour instead of the quick bite to eat we had intended, as babies demanded to be fed, changed, and rocked to sleep. Still, it was the most fun I've had in a long time. My nephew is nearly five and is increasingly funnier everyday. Getting to snatch up my nieces for a cuddle while their parents steal a bite to eat feels like a privilege, not a chore. Coaxing my four month old niece into a smile feels like a mighty accomplishment, even if it was fleeting. There was an amazing street performer that I'll link to further down in town, and we stopped for over 20 minutes to just listen, and maybe to bust out a few dance moves. Even though my family can seem like a mob when we travel together, there are quiet moments of calm within the chaos. Moments when I can hear about my 15 year old niece's new play, reach down and give some homemade fudge to my nephew, or just lean into my mom and smile. Family is my bliss. 