Oh Spring Break how we love thee! It is always nice to get away for a few days and escape from school, homework and work. Instead of landscaping (like we have the last couple of years) during spring break, we took the family down to Southern Utah to see all the sites. Our first stop was Bryce Canyon National Park. We stayed in a little hotel room, but made it work and the boys took turns sleeping on the floor.
Jaxon didn't appreciate the light that was coming from McKay's iPod. So he stacked a bunch of pillows on his head and tried to sleep. Mostly he just complained. McKay should have taken the opportunity to fall asleep before his dad--who kept him up most the night snoring!
Our day in Bryce Canyon was a full one. We got up early and went hiking down into the canyon. It was a chilly hike, but it soon warmed up. I don't know how people can stand hiking down there in the middle of summer. It would be way too hot for my liking!
This was our starting point for our hike. It was a beautiful lookout.
Views while on the way into the canyon.
As you can see, Kayden was not thrilled about hiking at Bryce Canyon. He was grumpy the minute he found out we were hiking and then most of the hike. Josh, however, loved it!
As soon as Kayden found out that we were hiking up and out of the canyon towards the car near the end our or hike, he was all smiles and as happy as could be. McKay was a good brother to him and hiked with him all they way out of the canyon. Kayden even offered to carry the backpack. (Gee, thanks. Now that the hike is over!)
This is where our hike ended. It was another beautiful lookout. Behind us is Thor's Hammer and the Three Sisters.
Can you tell which picture was at the beginning of the hike and which one was a the end? Kayden's mood will give you the answer. We loved the hike and it was beautiful scenery.
Once we were done hiking we grabbed a quick bite to eat for lunch and then went horseback riding. We all loved it.
Waiting to meet our horses. Kayden was called to mount his horse first. He was quite the cowboy.
In the coral all set to go. During our horse ride we truly learned what "peeing like a race horse" meant. Those horses open the flood gates when they go to the bathroom!
Top: Kayden riding Cash, Josh riding Little Ann, Jaxon riding Tux (who was a very handsome horse). Bottom: McKay riding Rocket (McKay''s horse had quite the personality. He wouldn't let any other horses pass him. Jeremy tried to pass him a couple of times and McKay's horse would either bite or kick Jeremy's horse.), Me riding Fredonia and Jeremy riding Pidge.
After visiting Bryce Canyon, we drove down to Zion National Park. It was a beautiful drive from one entrance of the park to the other. We even drove through 2 mile long tunnel.
We saw some cool rock formations. The top picture is with the boys in front of a petrified sand dune. Once we reached the official entrance to Zion's, we ran into the Cushing family--some friends from our church ward. It was fun to see them.
We ran into someone else we knew. Uncle Scott, Aunt Caprice and Rebecca from New Jersey surprised the boys and met us at Zion's! We went on a little hike while enjoying the Park together.
Josh at the Lower Emerald Pool waterfall. Water drips onto the hiking path. It was refreshingly cool.
The boys at Upper Emerald Pool. It was a pretty hike.
Becca and Kayden and then Kayden, Becca, McKay, Jaxon and Josh enjoying the scenery at the end of our hike.
After spending an afternoon at Zion National Park, we drove down to St. George where we got to watch Cousin Sara play soccer at Dixie State.
Sara was the starting goalie for the game and played the whole first half.
Nervous parents who couldn't sit down until Sara did.
After watching Sara's soccer game, we went and saw the sights that St. George has to offer. There is a lot of church history there.
We started at the St. George temple. So thankful that families are forever!
We then wandered over to the St. George tabernacle.
McKay got to speak from the pulpit reading a quote by Loreno Snow regarding tithing. Lorenzo Snow gave his original talk about tithing at this same pulpit. He told the saints that the drought they were experiencing would disperse if they paid a full tithe. They did and the crops received the rain they needed.
Caprice got to play the organ in the tabernacle.
Jaxon wanted to try it out.
We then walked over to Brigham Young's winter home. Kayden and Josh were pooped at this point and sat down while the rest of us finished the tour.
We stayed at the same hotel as Caprice, Scott and Becca. Kayden loved spending as much time with them as possible. Above, Kayden is eating his breakfast with them on our last morning in St. George.
On the way home we stopped at Cove Fort, another church history site.
We toured the grounds, the fort and barn (above). It was quite interesting. It made me appreciated being a mother in the modern era. I couldn't have done all that women did each day way back when!
Inside the walls of the fort.
At the top of the fort were there was a look out.
The doors leading out of the fort.
It was a great trip. We loved being with our aunt, uncle and cousins! We had so much fun making a lot of memories. It was way better than digging holes for trees and hauling bark for landscaping!
