Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Eve and Day

We tried to pack everything in on Christmas eve. We had a Montgomery party in the morning and a Jennings party in the evening. As we were going to the Jennings party there was a wonderful sunset. We did all the traditional activities of food, song and the Christmas story.

























 The next day was Christmas. Maddie and Cameron stayed with us over the evening and woke up to the normal traditions we have of a fire going in the fire place and them coming down together and then opening their stockings. After that it was opening presents and then since it was Sunday it was off to church.


















After church we had Nic and Shannon and their family over to open presents and then they went to the Rich's so we had Mom and Dad and Joni and Bob over for dinner with us.








My highlight was the telescope the kids got me. Just like all the other kids I had to put it together and use it that night and look at Jupiter and Venus which were out. I pulled out my old broken one to show the difference. This really was one of those surprise gifts. It was great to have the family together for Christmas eve and Christmas day. Maddie had to go to work in the afternoon but at least she could be with us and Cameron was able to be home which we felt very fortunate for.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas Season

We did our annual family tradition of going to Salt Lake and seeing the lights at temple square and then going to the Kurt Bestor concert. This year we added a new element, we took my dad with us and then met Joni and Mom in Salt Lake and went out to dinner together. Joni and mom saw the afternoon performance which is how this worked out. We ate at the Lion House Pantry and then saw the lights together.









 The moon rose above the Christmas lights to add some additional light to the night. They night before there was a lunar eclipse which Cameron saw in Cedar City.





























After that we parted ways and they went back home and we went to the concert. We missed Cameron this year as he was on the road and he wished he could have joined us.














The following Monday we went with Shannon and Nic and the grandkids to see the lights in Ogden. It was fun to watch Payton get excited at looking at all the displays in the buildings and watching Connor just be happy with everything.  























Saturday, October 29, 2011

Fall Break- part two

Early in the morning as we were in the tent trailer we heard, "Grandma, Grandpa." It was a surprise that the kids were here already. We did not expect them till around nine or ten. We found out they drove all night and waited for the camp ground to open in the morning. We made breakfast and Nic and Shannon tried to sleep while we watched the kids. I went to get the flat tire fixed in St. George which I thought would take an hour but took three because of everyone else getting tires fixed. At least I got a new tire free because it was damaged beyond repair.













The afternoon we went into the main part of Zions.













We hiked along the paved portion of the river trail at the end of the canyon.There were squirrels and some deer along the way and of course the beautiful views up and down the canyon. Payton was a good hiker and enjoyed the various things to do like stopping and throwing sand, jumping, putting hands in water and walking the wall.



















It was then time to head back and get over to Tuacahn to see the play The Little Mermaid. It starts off with water flowing from the cliffs behind the stage and flooding the stage and then a ship coming on stage. It gets your attention. We had a wonderful evening and Payton was so attentive to the play. It ended with fireworks which Payton said would happen.

Next morning as we prepared to leave we had one more hike. This was on the way home in Kolob Canyon portion of Zions. There are three separate sections of the park and we hit all three. The trail we took was the Taylor Canyon trail. We walked in and out of the creek along the trail and was able to still catch some fall colors along the way.















We even saw a tarantula.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Fall Break- part one

We took advantage of the fall break from school and went to the St. George area from October 19 to the 22nd. We left after school and got to our camp site three minutes before the gate closed at 9 p.m.The next morning was a beautiful day with the sun rising over Quail Creek reservoir.

In the morning we drove on the road to Kolob Reservoir. This road goes in and out of Zions Park and the scenery is spectacular.


Near the top of the drive the aspen trees still had some stands that had bright yellow leaves on them. The yellow leaves and the blue sky was an amazing contrast of colors.














We made it to Lava Point and looked out to Zions Canyon below us in the distance. We made it back a little after noon and met our friends the Lovelands who had arrived at the camp.




















We determined to take an afternoon drive to Toroweap. This is a part of the Grand Canyon that is accessed by a 60 mile long dirt road from Colorado City. After the three hour drive we arrived at the ranger station and from there had another four mile drive on slick rock to the canyon overlook.

While it is not a wide part of the Grand Canyon  it is a 3,000 foot drop straight down. It is a breath taking view in all directions. Looking west is the Lava Fall rapids of the Colorado River and the roar of the rapids can be heard from where we stood. We took advantage to look all around but looking over the edge is one of those I'll do it once experiences.



































  
We crawled out on our stomachs and looked down. It does take your breath away. Our friend Annette did not like heights and this was not one of her most favorite parts of the trip.

We then decided to go back a different route over Mount Trumbull which lead us into Ponderosa forests and then down a steep grade to a valley. In this valley was an old school house. We reached it at sunset but still walked around it and in it and looked at all the stories of those who had lived there years ago.







We then continued on in the dark. This route was a 90 mile dirt road to St. George. Around 9 at night we heard a pop and had a flat tire. The sky was dark, the stars bright and the air cold and we were in the middle of nowhere. Good thing for full size spares. Later on I read in the park service brochure that " 25% of visitors experience one or more flat tires." Good to be part of a special group.