Mother's Days!

I am so behind that I'm just going to start here and then work backwards!  It have been having and extended Mother's Day and have enjoyed a lot of fun things in the process.  We were hoping to take Paul's mom out for a cookout Thursday evening, but she didn't like the look of the weather.  So we decided to do something ourselves and save the cook out for a better weather day.  We went to Zion right after school and watched the new National Parks IMAX movie they are showing.  It wasn't the best, but we had been wanting to see it.  After that we headed into the park and rode the shuttle up to the end of the line at the Temple of Sinewava.  We exited and with only and 70 minutes until the last shuttle back we made a quick trip up to Riverside Walk trail to the Narrows.  It was beautiful and not crowded at all.  The weather was wonderful with a hint of rain in the air.  We enjoyed to walk and made it back in time for our ride out. After that we hurried into town for dinner at Oscar's.  We have been wanting to try that place and we weren't disappointed.  We even got to use our Dixie Direct Card for a discount.  It was a wonderful evening!  I saw this quote inside the shuttle on a sign and loved it  - "Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity for the human spirit!"  (Edward Abbey)

The next part of my celebration was another change of plans.  We had hoped to go camping Friday evening to get out of town from the Iron Man, but the weather was non conducive at all.  Instead we opted for a last minute date to see the Jungle Book.  So good!  And then we ate dinner and chilled in front to the TV watching Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure in remembrance of my Wood Badge skit!  Inane, but enjoyable.  The next day we decided we could at least do the hike part of our plans and set out to do so.  And then the weather was again a factor, so we just went wherever looked good to us and never did do our original plan.  We had a great day and went to a lot of overlooks that we hadn't been to before.  We did start out at a little geological trail that I found when I took a wrong turn coming home from Wood Badge.  It was interesting.  Next we visited one of the Quail Creek overlook trails - very lovely.  Lots of beautiful views, rocks and desert plants.  Then we headed to our  original plan.  It looked very sketchy weatherwise, so we decided to check out Molly's Nipple.  We have never done it in all the years we've been here and have wanted to.  So we did.  The road got a bit too much for our little truck, so we wound up hiking quite a ways, but we were rewarded with more awesome views there.  After eating lunch on top we saw the weather heading our way and made a quick hike back to the truck just in time to beat the rain.  Then we checked out Falls Park and then La Verkin Overlook.  All really nice!

We got home, ate dinner and then I was surprised when the local kids and their families came over bearing Crowshaw pies, ice cream and presents!  We were celebrating Mother's Day yet again!  We only missed Juge, Lou and Jay and families (got to talk to them on the phone), but they helped send the presents.  Love my new day pack, gift cards for dinner and pedicure, waterproof jacket, and Beacher even brought a beautiful, heavenly smelling lei from Hawaii.  It was such a fun little gathering. Brenden even did card tricks.  So glad that Derek and kids felt like joining us too.  So blessed to have wonderful children.  My quiver is full and my heart too.Thanks to all for such a fun and tasty celebration!

Today, the real Mother's Day, Paul made me a delicious breakfast and wrote me a sweet letter.  After church we had Grandma Kurtz come over to eat and celebrate.  I got to visit with my mom earlier in the week.  I had sent her an early Mother's Day quite a while ago.  Happy Mother's Day!  Only one missing was Weed.  We miss her so much, but feel peace in our knowledge that we will have joy with her yet again. (Grandma K.  seemed pleased with her popcorn variety pack and flowers.)