Zions Day 3

Our family at the mouth of the Narrows.

We started out third day in Zions with a hike to the mouth of the Narrows. It was a little chilly, but the kids enjoyed it. When we to the end of the hike the kids played in the water, chased a squirrel and enjoyed the wonder of it.

Adam and Gracie playing in the water.

Hannah dipping her feet in the water.

The kids and I at the mouth of the narrows.

My crazy Ben!

The Narrows

Hiking back to the car.

So beautiful!

After the Narrows we took the short hike to the Weeping Rock (no pictures.) The kids were so tired after all the walking we had done that we decided to take a little drive to see if we could get them to take a nap. As we drove through the tunnel and out the other side of the park we decided it might be nice to drive to Lake Powell like we did when Kenny and I were first married. We made it to the dam just after the last tour, but the kids were way impressed with it anyway. We went to the visitor center, walked out on the bridge and went into Page, Arizona for some dinner. It was a long drive, but a fun adventure and the kids got the nap they needed.

Lake Powell

The boys playing outside the visitor center.

The little girls goofing around.

The Colorado River

The bridge that spans the Colorado River. The kids were so in awe of this bridge.

Zion's Day 2 - Biking Day

Day 2 in Zions was our biking day. We picked Zions because we thought it would be the best National Park down there for biking. We loaded our bikes on the trailer that Kenny had been working so hard to build, and they traveled so nicely the entire way. Too bad our alternator didn't travel as nicely. The car had been acting kind of strange for a while so Kenny decided to bring his tools with us. A couple hours into the drive we figured out the alternator was going out. We stopped in Cedar City and bought one and Kenny spent the morning of the second day switching out the alternator in the van. Not the greatest way to spend the morning, but we're glad we didn't end up stranded on the side of the freeway somewhere.

Having our snacks at the Zions Lodge.

After the alternator had been switched we all climbed on our bikes and headed up the canyon. I'm so bugged at myself because I didn't get a picture of us on our bikes and I didn't get a picture of the bikes on the trailer. I'll have to do better next time. The kids did great on the bike ride. It was a steep climb and they surprised me with how well they road. It was so much fun to watch them. When we got up to the lodge we had some snacks before heading on our hike. 

By the time we started the hike to Emerald Pools the sun was already starting to go behind the mountains. We knew we didn't have a ton of time so we decided to only see the lower Emerald Pool and not take the longer hike to the upper pool. The hike was beautiful and the kids enjoying it very much. The pool itself was also pretty cool. Definitely worth the short hike.

Enjoying the water as it feel off the rock cliff on the hike to Emerald Pool.

The kids really liked all the stairs made out of rock.

More stairs.

A picture of Angels Landing. It's sooo beautiful down there.

Adam and I headed up the stairs.

The boys playing in the water.

Gracie and Dan playing in the water.

Taking pictures before we head down the stairs.

Ben, Hannah, and Goofy Gracie.

Adam was my hiking buddy on this hike.

One more shot of the waterfall.

Our Zions Adventure - Day One

The kids were off track in March and we decided it was the perfect opportunity to take a trip down south. We've been wanting to head to Southern Utah for years, and never got around to it. We decided March was a perfect time to go so we loaded up the camping stuff and headed to Zions National Park. Of course, it took longer to get out of the house than we wanted it to and by the time we got there, after a stop in Cedar City to buy an alternator, it was late afternoon and we didn't have time for much. We set up camp and then decided to go for a drive through the park. One of the parts I remember most about Zions was a the 1.1 mile tunnel through the mountain. We figured the kids would enjoy this, which they LOVED, and so we headed there and then played around on the rocks on the other side until it got dark. The kids had a blast and were excited to see what the rest of the park provided. It was a great first day, even if it was short.

Ben hanging out on the rocks.

Daddy helping the little kids around on the slippery rocks.

Hannah and Gracie having some fun.

Dan, Gracie, Sarah and Hannah

Sarah striking a pose.

More Birthday Donuts

She's not at all happy to be turning 11!

We stopped and picked up birthday donuts on the way home from Sarah's birthday fun at Planet Play. I found some cute egg shaped donuts (it's getting close to Easter) and I thought for sure the kids would love them. Turns out they really don't like filled donuts. It doesn't matter if it's cream or jelly filled or anything else, they just don't like them. So again I struck out with the donuts, but the did have a lot of fun decorating them and they ate the outside of the donuts. Next time no filled donuts.  :)

Adam just wanted to eat the frosting. He knows what's good. 

Ben showing us his finished product. It says, Happy Birthday Sarah.  What a good brother.

Dan actually did the best when it came to eating the donut.

Can you tell who's donut this is?

Hannah with her donut.

Sarah showing off her donut. Man she's getting big.

Happy 11th To My Sarah Kate

Sarah with all her presents.

Sarah had a great 11th birthday. I can't believe she's growing up so quickly. She often informs me that she now only has 2 years until she's a teenager and 5 years until she's 16. I'm excited to see her grow up, but I can't help being sad to watch her grow up. Luckily she's turning into a fantastic kid so I feel pretty lucky.

First in the morning on her birthday we allowed her to open presents (one of the advantages to being off track for your birthday.) She did pretty good this year on gifts with a fishing pole, new bag/purse, 2 Monster High Dolls (one from grandma and grandpa) and a Skylander character. She was pleased and that's always good. We had a fun filled day after that. We headed to IKEA for free kids meals, gotta love Tuesdays, and then headed over to Planet Play to use our Pass Of All Passes. Happy Birthday Sarah Kate!

Opening her Monster High doll from Grandma and Grandpa.

There doll was way cooler than ours, apparently, and she was so happy to get it.

Her new bag that she helped pick out. I guess in some ways it's good to be older.