Sterner Family | Made of Sterner Stuff

Grand Canyon

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Robert

I had a business trip to Phoenix at the beginning of August (a fantastic time to be in such a hot town). After a week of work Kendra flew into town and we went up to the Grand Canyon and spent the weekend.

This is a few from the road around Sedona. Its such a beautiful area. One benefit that Phoenix has is the proximity of some great areas to visit.

Here’s some shots from the Grand Canyon. Seeing pictures just doesn’t do it justice. The scale is so massive its hard to comprehend. The tree in the foreground here is like 15 feet away. The rock outcropping in the near background is probably half a mile away and the background is probably 3 or more miles away. That’s just crazy.

Looking out a window (hence the distortion) at the grand canyon. The top of the rim at its closest point from this picture location is about 8 miles away.

Kendra on an outcropping.

Self portrait.

We got someone to take a shot. The gorge next to Kendra is part of the trail that can be hiked. I would love to hike from rim to rim some day.

Taking a break.

I love how well all the layers show up.

A cave randomly out there. Makes me want to explore more.

Another self shot.

The beginning of the trail from the south rim.

A hotel that is on the rim. We ate lunch at their restaurant.

Another shot of the hotel. Great location.

Here’s a shot for scale. This is from the distance. If you look really close you can see the picture below.

This is actually zoomed in on the last picture.

If you look at the red box on this picture that’s where the previous picture is zoomed to. Crazy scale.

Living on the edge.

And rocking it.

The Colorado river far down below.

Moving towards sunset. You can see the forest fires in the background making it hazy.

The sunset makes for some great coloring. I love this shot.

More pictures are coming of course.

Posted in Grand Canyon, Phoenix

Swim Lessons

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Robert

This summer Levi took swim lessons. It was a great deal that really worked out. Our neighbors had moved to a new house not that long before, but had not yet sold their house. We had been using their pool and just watching out for any problems with the house. Another friend had found someone who could do swim lessons, but needed a site. We asked our neighbors and they were okay with it, so we had lessons next door. It was great.

I can’t remember the names of the teachers off hand, but Levi really liked the girl and preferred her over the guy for pretty much the whole 5 day class. Big surprise there. Here’s him kicking along. That’s his friend Olivia on the side there.

Here’s Levi jumping in.

Here’s the whole class.

Levi swimming to the side of the pool.

Levi and another little boy, Will, were very similar and kept rough housing and splashing each other.

Here they are all at the deep end.

Here’s Levi swimming to his teacher.

In mid air. He definitely perfected the belly flop.

Here they are all lined up to learn how to swim by themselves to the side of the pool so they could learn how to get out.

Not sure if the videos will work, but they do require Quicktime if there is trouble.

Still more to catch up, but I’m on my way.

Posted in lessons, Levi, Olivia, swimming

Summer Wrap up

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Robert

Way behind on posts. Time to catch up some.

Here’s a shot of Levi with a balloon dragon at a birthday party. It didn’t last very long with a rough and tumble boy.

Here’s a shot of Hunter Pence, a former Astros player who was Levi’s favorite. Levi actually cried when he heard the Astros had traded Pence. I haven’t watched a single game, worn my Astros hat or anything since then. As far as I am concerned that team is dead to me. They’ll have to earn back my trust and fandom. For now I’m a Rangers fan, which worked out well since they’ve been awesome this year.

Here’s Levi with Mimi and Granddaddy.

Levi wanted a better view.

All together

Big grin

After the game there was a David Crowder*Band concert, one of the main reasons we came to this particular game.

Kendra says I can’t grow a beard like David Crowder. Not sure why she’s so against it.

Self portrait.

The whole group.

Here we are at Chuy’s after dinner one night, I like the self portrait with the shades.

Levi got a new bike that fits him better. He gets to go faster on it, so he likes that.

Here we are riding together.

More posts coming, but it was a busy summer.

Posted in Astros, biking, concert, Levi

Sea World

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Robert

Blogger got some pictures out of order and I am too lazy to fix the order.

Funny stuff, a clip of one of the shows.

And another one of the shows.

Family shot inside the park entrance not too long before we left the park.

Levi in the water play area having lots of fun.

Kendalyn playing in the water.

Riding the merry go round.

Peyton, Kendalyn and Levi on the shuttle bus back to the hotel.

The entrance.

The kids at the entrance.

The boys mapping out a plan of attack on the first day.

Checking out the sharks.

Does he look hungry?

It was hot and he didn’t nap much, this is a tired face.

Levi didn’t want his picture taken, but everyone else was fine.

This was in line for one of the rides Levi could actually do. His first roller coaster.

Cute little pose by Kendalyn.

The ride.

Hoping off after the second pass.

Levi with his mouth full of ice cream.

An Orca.

Showing off.

Levi and one of the mascot things.

Kendalyn with 2 more.

Dolphins begging for fish.

Me, me, me!

An otter during one of the shows.

A sea lion in his office.

Tricks.

That’s the new guy on the left.

Look, a killer whale!

Upside down!

Splash!

Penguins swimming around.

Alligators and a finger tip.

Part of the Azul show. Don’t sit near this guy.

Levi loved this show.

A beluga whale. Levi really liked these guys.

Dolphin flying.

People getting ready to fly.

And flying.

Kendalyn with one of the performers. She’s a synchronized swimmer.

Levi talking to one of the performers.

Oooh a beluga whale!

The only way he’d take a picture with them was sticking his tongue out and of course its kinda blurry.

Watching the killer whale show with his ice cream dippin dots (Thanks Mrs. Trudy.

Trudy and Kendalyn.

Me and Levi.

Before Trudy, Woodrow, Peyton and Kendalyn went back home we met up with Stephanie and her kids at a park. Stephanie is a friend of ours from high school.