Summer Vacation

Hi all! I probably should try and get in my monthly blog update (since that seems to be all I am capable of) especially since I realized I have another summer trip coming in a week and I haven't reported on the first one yet.



Jeff and I have been trying to get in a National Park every year. As of last year, we had Yellowstone and Yosemite under our belt. This year we decided to hit Bryce and Zions- and it turned into a 10 day trip full of lots of mini trips! Allow me to elaborate...





First stop was Grandpa N's cabin for some 4-wheelin', hot dog, roastin', sticky s'morin fun!

We only stayed one night, but Jeff's parents were even able to make it up for the evening, which made for some fun visiting and relaxing. The next day we shoved off- officially starting our vacation- and headed for Bryce Canyon!

Bryce is one of the most vivid childhood memories I have when I think back on family vacations. Misty and Melissa were about the age of Zack and Payter on our first trip. So fun! I love this place. It is so facinating to me. I had high expectations for that first hike when we arrived- as you see, we took a few minutes to brief the kids on safety rules.

Rule #1, no pushing each other off the cliffs.

Rule #2 stay in the middle of the trail

Rule #3 no running out of sight

Rule #4 no falling and hurting yourself (which brings us to...)

Rule #5 NO WHINING

Well, it seemed simple enough, but Zack in particular struggled with #2 on down. In fact, #3, 4, and 5 were all made within the first 5 minutes of our first hike specifically for him.

There are 2 rock bridges behind Jeff if you can see them. I almost wish I could've done this hike twice. It was my favorite, but once one of the kids decided they had to go to the bathroom, we made it out of there in record time, and I didn't get to enjoy it like I wanted to.

Mom was such a trooper! You should have seen those steep switchbacks we hiked up! As I waited at the end I was worried I would see Jeff carring her out on his back- except I'm not sure she could even get up on it. Her back is pretty bad. She fared okay and made it out all by herself, but she probably wondered why we tryed to kill her on the first day.

We stayed 1 night there- but hiked 2 days. The second day was the Fairyland Trail which ended up being about 6 miles I think. It was awesome, but a little challenging since I ended up carrying Payter quite a bit.

Sister Bug came, but G-ma and G-pa opted out since Mom needed recovery time from the killer hike the night before.

Tower Bridge on the Fairyland hike

Then on to St. George! We stayed at my parents house they have down there and did lots of hiking in Zions. The first couple days were a little cooler- just perfect for hiking, except that this hike (to Emerald Pools) we did in the rain.

This is touring Brigham Young's summer home

Is Luke crying in every picture?

Rim Trail hike

This was Sand Hollow. They call it "Little Lake Powell". The kids LOVED it, and we ended up spending 2 days there.

Jeff's thing is to find the hardest hike and conquer it. Since the Narrows were closed, he went for Angel's Landing. Lexie, Kobe and I went too.

Here's on top

This is the fin before we went up on it. I kept one hand on the chain and the other held onto Lexie! It's not quite as bad as it looks. I never felt afraid on the trail- but you did want to be careful to stay where you should be. It was pretty awesome on top!

Here's on the way to Weeping Rock, I think.

I like seeing what kind of faces show up when the camera finally goes off. This pic caught some good ones!

Here's Sand Hollow take 2. I went shopping with my mom and sister that day, so Dad and Grandpa pulled it off on their own. I'm not sure who had the most fun- them or us!

Oh look, someone dropped their hat...

Surprise!!!!!

Can you tell Brookie pulled a tooth out on this trip? I think she looks cute with her toothless smile and fancy dress.

We also stopped in at the Temple

And Cove Fort! This place was an afterthought, but a super cool place to stop if you are facinated by history like Jeff and I are.

And that's where my camera battery died. We got to see Jeff's family and stay with his dad for Father's Day, and I wish I had gotten some pics of that. Maybe it's just as well. This post is taking me way too long. It is now a week after when I started writing it and I am leaving for Utah in just a few hours. Oh, and I am supposed to be packing, so I better stop before I get caught slacking. :)