Family Vacation

I thought a lot about my own family vacations as a child while we were on this trip. I always knew the were really nice, but now I know they were REALLY nice. And, generally, when we would go it was for 4-10 days. My parents were saints to put up with us during all those times in the car, hotel, hikes, picnics and restuarants. I'm sure they would tell you they were some of the best memories they have just as they are some of mine. But I'm also sure they would tell there was a lot of "you're on my side, she's touching me, look out your own window" junk too. They took us to a lot of really great places and we learned a lot in the process. I really hope we can do the same with our children. There's something about just being with your family and learning to get a long in such tight quarters for days at a time. You appreciate each other more and less of everything seems to matter. And for those days, those precious children are all I have to think, worry or care about it. I wish more days could be like that. Perhaps... a new goal for the new year.


Zion National Park

I love this park. It is abosultey breath taking! We haven't been there since they implemented the shuttle bus and it really was quite pleasant. You could see and enjoy a lot more. Plus, the random tidbits of information were kind of interesting.

We took a few different hikes. Nothing too outrageous since we had the kids. I have never struggled much with a fear of heights until recently. I started thinking about when this all changed and it just so happens it occured with the birth of our children. My stomach was churning during several stretches of the hiking. Joey even informed me that I was hurting his hand I was holding it so tight. Guilty!! But, if you've meet Joe or Katie and seen how they don't pay attention (especially when frolicking through nature) and they seem to dance to where ever they're going to, then you would completely understand. And, I must be so much more paranoid about it than Todd. Of course, there were times when his voice firm and his grip was tight, but he was rolling his eyes at me more than a few times.

Like this bridge. Totally paranoid Joey was going fall through. And now, as I'm looking at this picture I'm thinking I'm really nuts. But, I swear it looked so much more dangerous when we were on it and he was trying to poke his legs, head or whatever through.

A feeding frenzy! Seriously, they are like wild beasts who haven't been feed in weeks when they hear any sort of wrapper. I promise we do feed them frequently.

Joe really wanted a picture with the red road, but thought he the pose would be better suited on this rock. Sometimes I wonder about that kid. Oh, and not like the above picture is doing him any favors as he digs for gold. Yikes! Just noticed that. And, poor Katie is totally wiped out waiting for the bus. I couldn't believe how well and how far these two hiked on their own.

The sleeping arrangements for this trip proved interesting. The plan was to put John in the Pack n' Play and Katie and Joey would share the other bed. Very bad plan! Joe was so excited he jist didn't know what to do with himself. He was all over the place and a complete pest to poor Katie. So plans changed and Joe went to the pack n' play and John slept on a bed of hotel towels atop the luggage rack squished between the bed and a chair. He didn't seem to mind.

And, nothing beats trick or treating in the mall on Halloween. Especially a mall that handed out nothing but choking hazards. LAME! So I had to make a run to Walmart for child friendly candy post mall trick or treat. The upside, we didn't have any Halloween candy to create sugar highs for more than a day! Really though, if they had had more age appropriate candy the mall really is a good gig. Quick and safe!

Bryce Canyon National Park

The last week in October we took a little family vacation to southern Utah. We had a ball. I hadn't been to many of these places in years. I was somewhat surreal to be back there married with my children. Who would've thought?! I suppose when you're a teen you aren't really thinking about your future family vacations!

My dad used to make us pose with all the signs of each national park we visited. We used to tease him and still do. But, now I'm realizing it just seems a little more official that way.

Katie is extremely displeased about this photo spot. I had just explained to them that they needed to mind and stay away from the edge so they didn't fall off. She felt like this was "too close" to the edge and was very angry with me!

This kid is hilarious!

On all our trips growing up we could "earn" treats for spotting animals. Generally, there was a smaller treat for the more frequently spotted things like a deer or elk. You could upgrade to a larger treat if you spotted something more rare like a coyote or moose. These "larger" treats were usually gummi worms. We loved gummi worms. They just tasted so much better than a gummi bear. I'm not sure why I felt this way, but I still do. So in attempting to carry on some of the family trip traditions I purchased some animal spotting treats for the trip. Now that I'm the one "calling the treat shots" in the front seat we skipped right to the gummi worms. No small treats for us. We were going all the way. So after some careful explanation to our children we implemented the spotting treat. As we left the parking lot of a hike in the park Joey shouts, "Mom, I spot a tree! Can I have a gummi worm?" Man, that kid is tricky. Apparently, we didn't clarify what was a legitmate "spot."

The weather wasn't too cold once we got off the ridges. The hikes were so pleasant. It was so nice to not be totally drenched in sweat when you finished a hike!

This place really is unbelievable. Todd and I kept wishing we could've seen the million year camera to see how all of it was formed.

These two just crack me up. I could just squish them with kisses.

At least this one still lets me!

Just building a few Hoodoos.