TEDxAsheville – Adam Baker – Sell your crap. Pay your debt. Do what you …

OK, my friend Katherine found this talk – and I love it – for lots of reasons – but probably first and foremost because this is what Duane did so that we could go on our Christmas vacation.  I have to tell you it is such an amazing feeling to pay cash for everything – to know that our credit cards are not racking up charges and our checking account remains unused for anything we choose to do on this holiday!  The best part, is Duane says that he has only just begun – we have so much more STUFF that he can sell —  what is next??!  Woohoo!

Here are a few pictures from our
“we sold our stuff for this amazing 2011 Arizona/Train/Texas/Ocean Christmas Holiday

Friday December 23 – Bryce Canyon – we can’t believe how cold and snowy it is! But glad to get out of the car and stretch the legs!

look at this picture upside down – does it remind you of anywhere?!   Cool huh!  Antelope Canyon was fantastic- but our toes were SOO COLD!

Saturday December 24 – Antelope Canyon – Page Arizona

Christmas morning in the Hotel room This is what we woke up to see, and Kate exclaimed “Look!  We’ve been GOOD!”

We had a lovely visit at the Cameron Branch for Christmas Sunday. Duane visited with a few of the members there and reminisced about the good ol’ days when he was a missionary there – and in his words ” It was a perfect day”

Sunday December 25 – Grand Canyon – Arizona We were amazed how many people were at the Grand Canyon on Christmas day

Monday December 26 – Amtrack – breakfast in the dining car on the way to Texas

Tuesday December 27 On the boat at the river walk – cool. Now the kids play ‘tour guide’. I think they have been on quite a few tours this holiday!

Christmas lights on the river walk – over 3 million LED lights – they looked fantastic!

Tuesday December 27 @ At the Whitte Museum they rode this bike out on the wire – they were nervous – but Clara, Mary and Jack all tried it!   Brave Kids.

Wednesday December 28 – We did baptisms at the temple with Emma and Jack – it was beautiful there – the stained glass was breathtaking, a great way to spend the morning.

Thursday December 29 – Our next surprise.  We told the kids we were going to The Alamo – but I had secretly packed their bags and we drove to Corpus Christi to the Ocean!  The kids were so excited!  We had dinner at Rudy’s Texas BBQ – interesting and tasty.

We stayed in the Holiday Inn on Padre Island.  The hotel was right on the beach. . . . I’ve never stayed in a hotel right on the beach. . . it was awesome!

We visited the Texas State Aquarium and saw a dolphin show,  an otter show, a show about birds and an anteater, touched stingrays, saw sea turtles and sharks – it was great!

We went for a walk on the beach tonight – saw fishermen, and enjoyed the sunset. It is hard to believe that it is Friday December 30, 2011

Saturday December 31 – We left the ocean today after collecting sea shells, sand dollars, and sand. We stopped at the mall in San Antonio where there was an apple store. The mall was INSANE!  Not the right place for an introvert. . . . too much goin on!  The giant cowboy boots are cool though eh?

So, I figure this is a good place to end this post, December 31, 2011 – the last day of the year.  I will put some more pictures from the rest of our holiday on next week’s blog.  Can you believe this is only 1/2 of our holiday?  We still have 8 days of adventure left!

But to sum it up, we are having the time of our lives!  I think the kids will talk about this holiday. . . forever!  So many new experiences and highlights – thank you Duane for selling stuff!  This is SOO much FUN!