Epic Vacation Part VII: Zion National Park

View from Angels Landing

We love to go to the National Parks, so on this trip we made plans to visit two.  On Monday we headed out to Zion National Park.  We stopped at the information center to get the boys their Junior Ranger Packets and then we were off.  One of the things I loved about this park was the shuttles.  Since personal vehicles are not allowed through the park you have to take the shuttles.  I loved it because the shuttle drivers were like tour guides through the park giving you information, stories, and telling you great hikes to take.

Hiking was a goal on this day since Matt needed to accomplish a 5 miler for scouts.  Doug picked out the Angels Landing Hike.  When I pointed out to him that it was rated a strenuous hike in the brochure I was told that those ratings were meant for old people and we could handle it.  So we headed out with good shoes, camelback knockoffs, and lots of enthusiasm.  About a 1/2 mile in we hit the switchbacks. 

 Oh the switchbacks that never seem to end.  As a family we decided to divide and conquer.  Doug and Matt went ahead with the camera (to document that Matt did do the hike) leaving Nate, Danny, and I to go at our own pace.  Needless to say our pace could be out paced by a turtle but we kept going.  I have no idea how Doug and Matt did it, but the other two boys and I would go up a couple of switchback then find some shade for a break.  

Finally we made it to Scout Lookout and saw this:

  

We realized that hiking up that was the last 1/2 mile.  Needless to say Danny, Nate, and I decided to stay right where we were and have a picnic while waiting for Doug and Matt to come back from Angels Landing.  Although I know that we missed some great sights I figured after 2 miles up 1488 feet I was done.  Doug and Matt continued on.  (Yes those are chains.  Just another reason to stay behind.)

I learned an important lesson on this hike.  When the national park service rates a hike strenuous it means really kinda hard.  After our hike back down, we took a few minutes in the river too cool off.

The boys finished their Junior Ranger packets and were sworn in as Zion National Junior Rangers.

By the end of the day we were all ready for the pool back at the hotel.

Epic Vacation Part VI: Manti Temple

Sunday we left Provo headed for Cedar City.  Since it was Sunday we decided to do something slightly spiritual and stop at the Manti Temple.  I had never been and was interested to see it.  It was so peaceful to walk around looking at the gardens and feeling the spirit.  After we headed to Cedar City for some much needed rest.

Epic Vacation Part V: Temple Square

On Saturday Nana, Taty and I took the boys to Temple Square.  This was quite a big deal since they had never been.  Also the Friend magazine has been running articles about different parts of Temple Square this year and the boys had planned what they wanted to see off those articles.  We visited Deseret Book and did a quick walk through of the temple grounds with Aunt Taty before she had to go to the airport, then it was off to lunch so we wouldn't be hungry as we walked around.

We parked underneath the Joseph Smith Building so that was our first stop.  The boys were not quiet as taken with the stained glass and architecture as I was.  After that we were off to see the temple. 

As it was a Saturday, it was quite busy with weddings, but I wanted to get my boys close enough to touch the temple walls and see some of the details and craftsmanship on the temple.  (I sure hope we are not in too many wedding photos)

We also went to both visitor centers, the Tabernacle, and the Assembly Hall.  Nana was such a great guide.  She would stop and read things to the boys or tell them stories.  They enjoyed every minute.

Our last stop was to the Conference Center.  By this time we were all pretty tired so we took the abbreviated tour (pretty much this is it) but it really worked for us.  The boys were all about the waterfall on the building and thought it was so cool that you could stand inside with the water flowing on the other side of the window.

There was so much more to do and see but we had run out of steam.  I guess we will just have to take another trip up.

Epic Vacation Part IV: BYU

While the menfolk (Papa and Doug) attended the LDS Dental Academy Conference, the women and children did sight seeing at BYU on Friday.  First stop was the Wilkinson Center and the Bookstore.  (After all you must have your paraphernalia.)  The boys each picked out a hat and a BYU pendent to go on their bedroom wall.  Nana spoiled them with candy.

Then we went to the library (to show the boys were CA Jen spent most of her time), the fine arts museum, and lunch back at the Wilk.

 

This is made entirely out of dry cleaner hangers.  Something to do in my spare time.

Relaxing at the library

After lunch we hit the big event of the day, the Paleontology Museum.  Danny was so excited.  He borrowed my camera and took pictures of everything.  Then he had to have his picture taken with everything.  The only thing more fun to watch was his big smile.

Danny has decided to become a paleontologist and this is were he is going to work when he is not in the field digging up dino bones and fossils.

He was having so much fun with everything.

After the paleontology museum we visited the museum of natural history.  (Or as Nana and Papa describe it:  I've already shot one of everything so you don't need to)  Nate and Danny enjoyed all the exhibits and we learned that Matt is allergic to any animal dander.  It doesn't matter if it is on an animal that has been dead for quite a while.

After all this running around we headed back to the hotel for a much needed rest and to meet up with the men.  Dinner was Mexican followed by a nice visit with Aunt Peg and Uncle Ken's family.  (Except Steven who was too busy with the girls...hehehe)

Friday I decided that since I didn't get the much needed picture in front of the BYU sign the boys and I would walk up to campus.

 

While I was torturing my children by making them take this picture we noticed that there were a lot of people heading into the football stadium, so we decided to see what was going on.  The boys were so excited to find out that it was the cougars open practice.  Although we couldn't stay long the boys enjoyed sitting close to the field and seeing some of the players.

Matt wanted a picture by the field that he will be playing on one day.

I love the way my boys think.  They have got it all worked out.  Matt will play football for BYU while allowing Danny to walk right across the road from the paleontology building to watch him and Nate will skydive in with the cadets from the Air Force Academy.  They have got the future planned.

Epic Vacation Part III: Greeley

Wednesday found us enjoying the Williams company in Greeley.  Doug visited Scott in his dental practice while Jenny and I took the kids to the park. 

 Danny really enjoyed playing with Spencer and Matthew.

 

I also got to play with Sarah.  She was a little hesitant at first but was ready to come home with me when we had to leave.

It was a great visit and hope that they will let us repay their hospitality soon.

Thursday we were on the road again headed to Provo where we were joined by three of our favorite people, Nana, Papa, and Aunt Taty.  We enjoyed dinner at Brick Oven Pizza that night with lots of laughs.  (Excuse the no pictures, I was one tired girl).

The Epic Vacation Part II: Colorado Springs

Tuesday found us getting an early start so we could head up to Pikes Peak.  On one of Doug's trips through Colorado he had wanted to go up this mountain but was unable to due to time constraints.  Such was not the case in this trip.  We packed up the car and headed out.  One thing we overlooked was that as you ascend the mountain the temperature descends.

And although Doug and I soaked in every cool moment the boys were less enthused about this scientific principal.  (Notice the bad of chips behind Danny.  We spent the trip up listening to the bags pop open.)

It was neat to pass the tree line and see tundra.  Once we made the summit, I made the boys stand for the obligatory pictures.  This is their "I'm cold take the picture" look. 

Doug was a little more daring and climbed down to the historical marker with this great view.

Once we felt that we had seen and done all we could at 14,000 ft including feeling a little light headed and having tingling fingers, we headed to the Arnold's homestead. 

Lydia and I have been friends since we were in 7th grade.  We have a strange connection that includes having our first three kids within  days to weeks of each other.  We talk frequently but haven't seen each other for years.  It was great timing since she had just had her darling Sofie and I was able to sit, chat with her, and hold her darling girl.  It was so much fun to see how big her kids have gotten and catch up face to face.

After too brief of a visit, we headed out to Greeley, CO to visit the Williams from Ohio.  Ok, they aren't originally from Ohio but Scott and Doug went to dental school together.  Jenny and I survived dental school together.  We had dinner together, but the big hit was the fire and S'mores afterward.

The Epic Vacation Part I: Air Force Academy

Mere hours after returning from Young Women Camp I found myself packed (again) and once again in the car, this time with all four of the boys.  Doug and I have planned for a few years to have him attend the LDS Dental Academy Conference in Provo while the rest of the family called it a vacation, but with frequent moves it hasn't been possible until this year. Doug was able to take three weeks off from work (platinum Air Force handcuffs) to take care of the boys while I was at camp and to make the trip.  We planned to use every moment of it that we could to make memories.  I think we did a darn good job.  (Excuse the many posts and pictures that this will entail but it has to be done.)    

Sunday (yes we are bad, bad people) we headed out for our first stop of Amarillo, TX.  What is in Amarillo to have us stop? Nothing, but after nine hours of driving we thought we deserved some sleep.  We did pass through some fun small towns and I have even picked out one to return to as a day trip.

Monday we were off to Colorado Springs, CO.  One of the big stops on our trip was to go to the Air Force Academy and show the boys were the cadets go to school.  Nate was very impressed with the set up.  He thought is was cool that they get to learn how to fly gliders, jump out of planes, and have the Air Force pay for everything.  We went to the visitor center and he had me read all the requirements for getting into the academy.  He has big plans. 

Nate captured this picture of the cadets doing what cadets do well.....run in combat boots!!!!

But life can't be that bad when this is the scenery

Young Women Camp 2010

Mission:  Possible

The Courage to Stand Strong

For the past year, I have been actively planing for this week.  Right now I want to publicly thank all my ward and stake leaders that made this experience possible.  As a young woman, I knew that it took work to have such an event but I was unaware of the time, money, prayers, thoughts, and inspiration that goes into making Young Women Camp a success.

I started the week out by sending 6 of our wards Laurels (16-18 year olds) up to camp a day early to set things up with the other YCL's (Youth Camp Leaders).  Tuesday was the big day for everyone, by 7:30 am my truck bed was full of luggage and sleeping bags and I had all 21 young women in cars headed up to camp.

The camp that we were able to rent was amazing.  I always watched movies that showed a summer camp and thought that those places didn't really exist in real life.  I was happily surprised.  It was gorgeous with everything you could want (except air conditioning).  We had stone cabins with electricity and most had bathrooms attached.  We had a ropes course, a river to swim in, tennis, volleyball, basketball, softball, archery, rock wall, and a mess hall with a cook.  We were spoiled.

While we were at camp we had themes for each day that tied into our main theme "Courage to Stand Strong".  Tuesday was the "Courage to be Kind and Accepting".  We talked about accepting each other and making new friends.  To help with this we camped as years or levels rather than as wards.  This allowed the girls to get to know each other across ward boundaries.  We had plenty of time during the week as a ward but the young women ate, did certification, had devotionals, and slept as levels.

Wednesday our theme was "Courage to Avoid Satan's Traps".  We participated in a ropes course that included items called "the screamer", "telephone pole jump", and "Jacob's ladder".  The girls loved testing out their bravery and even got me to go on the screamer (a pedulim swing that includes a harness).  Later that evening the Relief Society Presidency came up to give do a lesson and some activities with us.  They spoke on how putting on the whole armor of God would help us avoid Satan's Traps.

Thursday our theme was "Courage to be Chaste and Virtuous".  During the day we talked about what a virtuous woman looked like.  That evening we participated in a night walk.  Everyone was asked to remain silent as we were lead past young women acting out different scenes all silently.  Some of them were of good choices or actions while others were not so good.  At the end of the walk we were lead to a tree that was glowing with lights and the Stake Young Women President spoke on how we are each a daughter of God that should be leading our lives to attend the temple.  The evening was so well received that even after the program was over no one left for 30 minutes.  Everyone was just enjoying the spirit of the meeting.

Friday was hike day with the theme of "Courage to Stand for Truth and Righteousness".  It being our last night at camp we had our Bishopric join us for dinner and a testimony meeting.  As with any young women camp, this was an emotional and touching event.  After which the girls partied with the rest of the Stake and said goodbye to new friends.  We had a slide show, line dancing, candy, drinks, and more fun than should be allowed.  Unfortunately, by this time I was soooo exhausted all I wanted to do is go back to the cabin and sleep. 

It was a week of great highs and a few lows.  While working toward this event and then participating, I have gained a stronger testimony of the Lords love for his young women.  I know that leaders can be and are inspired on behalf of those that they have in their charge.  It has been reaffirmed that the Lord blesses his servants in ways that they can not foresee for their faithful service.  I am grateful for this experience and if asked to repeat it would have to do it again.