Kolob Arch!

We planned to go somewhere else, but on the way up the road we decided this would be a perfect day for Kolob Arch, and it was a lot closer than our original plan.   We didn't even get started until 11:30 since we did the Saturday sleep in. It was perfect day for it.  The leaves aren't out yet, but there is so much other amazing scenery that even without leaves it is awesome.  We only saw 12 other people the whole day.  The streams were all running and the sky was blue and it was so very peaceful.  So much better than Zion proper with all of its' crowds.  We got to the arch about 2:00 and ate lunch there and then headed back about 3:30. We made it out by 6:15 just a the sun was making an exit.  It was an upside down hike where you are doing down hill in and uphill out, but we did better than we thought we would and made about 12.2 miles and didn't die of the uphill or heat on the way out.  The afternoon had cooled off so nicely. We did need a big Carl's 6$ burger when we got home!

A new angle on Dolphin Arch

Since it's a little early to head to the high mountains we are trying to hit some of the lower spots. This is a great time to do it before they get too hot!  We decided Dolphin Arch would be fun to revisit. We saw it from across the canyon while eating a picnic.  Then we decided to try it from a new angle...under the arch looking up from the canyon below.  We hiked down the pretty little canyon to do it.  In the process I managed to gash my knee on a rock, but I was not going to quit until I got to see it.  Thanks to Paul and his handy, dandy first aid kit, I was able to get it done.  And it was totally worth it!  Loved seeing the arch from that angle and the canyon was beautiful as well.  Then we drove over to see it from the other side top down which we have done before.  It was a beautiful day in a beautiful place.  Thanks to Ryan for doing the final patch up when we got home.  

President's Day with some of the gang

For President's Day the Borrowmans, Weavers and Randalls joined us to  enjoy the DSU annual art show/sale.  The kids had a great time doing the kids's I Spy activity.  We also enjoyed the outdoor statue garden/fountain. After that we all headed over to Paul's recently finished Sons of the Utah Pioneers Pathway to the Quarry project.  We hiked the short trail to the quarry and saw his stonework in the process.  Afterwards we came back to the house for a snack and visiting.  Moss and Christie and kids joined us later and when dinner time came we did pizza for the kids and Costa Vida for the oldies.  It was a fun day!

Kennis turns "two-teen"!

The other day at school I was testing a little guy on his number recognition to 20.  Lots of the kids struggle with what to call 11 and 12.  They just don't fit the pattern name wise.  He looked at me on each of those numbers and saying they should be called one-teen or two-teen.    I had to agree with him that it made more sense, but had to tell him that he would have to give me their real names for me to be able to pass him off, which, being the sharp kid that he is, he did.  So, for our sweet Kennis - happy two-teen! We almost feel a little melancholy to see you growing up...but we feel so excited for you too.  It's so exciting for you to enter that world of going to Young Women, Girl's Camp and all of the other things that you have been looking forward to.  We love you Kennis! 

One of the fun parts of celebrating birthdays is hanging out with the other grandparents!  All of our kids have married into awesome families! 

Rock trips are great!

Luckily Paul's need for rock and my work schedule meshed so I could join him this week.  We had a great dinner at Jacob Lake and spent the night in Flagstaff.  We picked up our rock the next morning and headed home.  Stopped at Outback for coconut shrimp and blue cheese wedge salad for lunch and then cookies and pit stop at Jacob Lake.  We finished Three Against the Wilderness just as we got back home as well as listening to other good stuff and just talking and relaxing!  Love it when we can combine business with fun time together!  (While they loaded up the truck I walked around and enjoyed seeing lots of beautiful stone!)

Love our Red Hill

So happy we have such an amazing back yard!  I got some new hiking boots in anticipation of a backpacking trip this summer.  I decided the perfect place to break them in is in the back yard on Owen's Loop.  I'm also breaking them in on our daily neighborhood walks.  Love seeing the red, white and blue of nature on display as I do it!

Afton, Brady and Brenden - Happy Birthdays!

With January nearly gone we have finished up the birthdays for the month.  Sweet Afton turned 5 and Brady 11.  We went up to celebrate them with dinner, cake and presents all in one.  Brady wasn't unhappy about getting his early I don't think!  Then a bit later we had a little celebration after a day of celebrating with Brenden and family for his #7.  We had Snicker candy bar "cake".  He's being patient and waiting on his present to come in the mail in monthly increments throughout the year - a magazine subscription.  Happy birthday to all!  We love you!  

We had such fun...

We had such run redeeming our Christmas present Friday and Saturday!  The gift cert to Jacob Lake Inn complete with gas card, room and meals was so much fun to use!  It gave us a chance to relax and make a furn memory together while enjoying way too much great food, cookies and some beautiful winter scenery!  I loved how cute our room was too.  I'm not really that interested in winter camping, so this was a much better way to enjoy a little cc skiing without having to make the drive both ways in a day.  We were the only ones staying in the hotel amazingly, so we had the full attention and royal treatment of all 7 of the winter staff.  Thanks to all of you for a really fun, relaxing good time!  

We added some more fun by taking the long way home through Zion to see and even drove up the Kolob Terrace road until it got to icy to check it out!  Loved seeing the winter frosting everywhere!

Pine Valley CC Skiing

After about 3 years of not doing it for the sake of Paul's knees, we tried our luck at cc skiing again up at Pine Valley.  His "new" knees performed beautifully and we had a great time in the beautiful winter wonderland last Saturday.  It took me a while to loosen up a little and not worry so much about falling down and not being able to get up.  By the end I was relaxing and enjoying it more.  Did take one fall and was so glad that only Paul was there to watch me wallow my way back up! I would label myself as an extreme novice, but it is fun to enjoy the snow with gear that makes it comfortable and then leave it behind and enjoy it from a distance in St. George!

Surprise Bryan - Happy #40 and happy #9 Eden - not so surprised!

With lots of cooperation from people at Bryan's work and people in the family Lou was able to pull of a great surprise birthday #40 for Bryan!  It was so fun to see him completely taken in and to celebrate with him and Eden.  Bryan was sure he was coming to the church to pick up the body of someone who had passed away there for the mortuary he works for.  Instead it was for celebrating his 40th with dinner, cake and presents.  

Our sweet Eden was happy to join his fun and blow out a lot less candles.  The balloon inside her present was loaded with cash - one of those buy it yourself birthday presents.  

I knew she'd like that little bear!
We love both of you so much!  Happy, happy birthdays to you!