Monday, June 11, 2012

Camping Trip to Bryce Canyon National Park

 Last weekend we headed five hours south down to Bryce Canyon National Park for a family camping trip!  We had a great time (except for less-than-splendid sleep).  Bryce Canyon is known for the red-orange rock pillars called "hoodoos", and they were very cool.

Our tents.
Making breakfast on our first morning there.

Dave checking out the park map.

Emmett enjoying some hot apple cider after breakfast.

Pyro boy throwing pine needles in the fire pit - again...

Me and Vera Gail soaking up some morning sun.

The crew ready for a hike!

And off we go!

Dave and Emmett along a canyon rim.

Vera Gail fueling up to hike the "Queens Garden" trail.

Gareth on an overlook.

And Emmett too!

On the "Queens Garden" trail.

Dave and Vera Gail and Gareth in front of one of many nifty hoodoos.

More hoodoos.

The kiddos and hoodoos.

Snack and rest break at the end of the "Queen's Garden" trail, before we started the "Navajo Loop" trail.

Gareth found himself a nice perch.

And Vera Gail had to try it out too!

And Emmett got a turn as well.

Super awesome slot canyon!

A great view after we hiked all the way back up from the bottom of the canyon.

Emmett roasting toast that evening.

Vera Gail munching campfire toast.
Gareth toasting away!

The goofy gang around the campfire!

Dave enjoying the blaze.

Yes, I was there too. ;-)

A good morning with a cup of hot apple cider.

The guys having a good time around the morning campfire.




Coooooffffffeeeeeee

He wanted coffee too, but beverage boy had to settle for two cups of tea, lol.

Rooster boy! (That's a mitten on his hat)

Cutie-pie :-)

Me and Vera Gail checking out the trail map.

Group hug!!

Hanging out at an overlook ;-)

Awesome view!

The crew in the pines.

The kids around (and in) a hollow stump.

Dave enjoying the scenic vistas.

Really nifty rock arch.

Sunny smiles!

Another great view of hoodoos and cliffs.
The man cooking the baked beans.

The kiddos roasting toast again!

Everyone bundled up in the truck on Sunday morning - it got down to 38 during the night, and it was COLD!

Emmett and Vera Gail staying cozy while Dave and I packed up the campsite.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Egg Hunt!

...in our yard full of dirt... ;-)

The kids (and a friend from next door) standing by the rear fence that backs up to an open field (so there's grass behind our yard...)

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter!


Happy Easter! This year the Easter bunny brought some tropical fruit to supplement the traditional chocolate rabbit...

Gareth got a pineapple...

Vera Gail got kiwis...(hiding beneath the big bunny)

And Emmett got the longed-after coconut!

...plus some dried apricots and M&Ms. :-)

Friday, March 30, 2012

A little trip to Bear Lake

A scenic drive up to Bear Lake to get out and enjoy some warmer spring weather!





Thursday, March 8, 2012

February Trip to CA

We flew out to California over the President's Day weekend to visit my parents and get a nice dose of warm weather and green. Definitely a nice change!


The kids having a blast in the jacuzzi





Dave and I went down to Carmel-by-the-Sea (where we were married) for a day and night to have an early 10th anniversary celebration. :-)


That weekend we went to the Calaveras wilderness and went bouldering in "Little Yosemite". That was awesome!















And more fun and relaxation in jacuzzi. :-)

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas

This Christmas my parents drove out from California to spend the holiday with us, and then help us move into our new house (pictures of that to come).


Breaking in the new 'Cars 2' Uno game on Christmas Eve.


Grandma and Emmett warming up for a rousing round of 'War'


The kids ready to open their Christmas Eve present (new slippers)!


The gang all excited on Christmas Day!


Caaaaaaaanndyyyyyy


And LEGOS!!


Dave having fun opening gifts


Princess Vera Gail! She's been wearing her gown all day!


A snow hat with character, as requested.


Crazy monkey boy! (You have no idea how appropriate that hat is for him...) ;-)