Family Vacation Part 2

On our way home Doug and I decided to try to hit a few more of the National Parks.  We started out at Arches National Park.  Now remember about the boys sunburn, this is where it really comes into play.  Previously, we were either able to keep them inside away from the sun or we were in cooler weather.  But let me tell you there is nothing cool or overcast about Southern Utah in August.  So we did a lot of "American sightseeing".  Which means we drove around the park making very few stops to get out and see anything.  I would not suggest this method but if you have three children with second degree burns it probably is for the best.

Our first stop was at Arches National Park.  Doug did go on a couple quick hikes and took some pictures for me while the boys and I stayed in the car and out of the sun.

Next was Cayonlands National Park.  It is such a vast area that I don't think you can see most of it unless you are in a car or have decided to make it your entire vacation.  Interesting enough that Arches and Canyonlands are only about 30 miles away from one another but the landscapes are so different.

Our last stop on the National Park Tour was to Carlsbad Caverns.  Because the boys could actually explore this park this became the favorite stop.  They enjoyed being out of the sun and the cool, but mostly they enjoyed the ride back to the surface in the elevators.  I must admit that I went 750 feet underground and didn't have one claustrophobic attack until we got into the elevators.   Figures!!!

Family Vacation Part 1

This years vacation was all about family.  We headed to Arizona to visit everyone there and so everyone could see Doug in the flesh as this was the first time since his deployment.  We spent days having dental appointments (thanks Papa), swimming, eating great food, going to movies, having "girl time", and hanging out.  One of the bigger events that happened while in Arizona was the boys all receiving 2nd degree burns when they didn't put sunscreen on while swimming at Grandma and Grandpa Holmes house.  I wouldn't even mention it but it does play a major role in the rest of the vacation.

After four days in Arizona we headed up to Utah with the rest of the Smith clan to attend the Smith Family Reunion.  On our way to Provo we stopped at Cove Fort where Granny and Grampy served a mission.  

We had the sweetest sister as a tour guide.

I've decided that all houses should have an interior courtyard with all rooms opening out to it so your children don't run through the house but out in the courtyard.

This quilt reminded me so much of Gran and I know if she was with us today we would be making one.

The next day we headed to Salt Lake City and Temple Square.

Papa and his Grandboys

The cousin-brothers

We went to the visitor center, church library (for Nate), Joseph Smith Building, and walked around the temple grounds.  We enjoyed a great lunch in the Joseph Smith Building and got chocolate from Hatch Family Chocolates.

Saturday was family reunion day.  Now this was a reunion of my grandfather, Lloyd Smith, his sisters and cousins along with as many descendants as could make it.  A few things that was learned at this reunion:

1. The third generation of the Lloyd Smith clan, i.e. myself, my siblings, and my cousins, are a largely antisocial group
2. We really like the family names (and keep using them over and over again) and
3. Where there are Smith's there is a lot of great food (thanks Aunt Peg)

My Gorgeous Sisters

Eating in our little corner of the yard

See antisocial....sitting away from the tents where the rest of the extended family is sitting.

Epic Vacation Part IX: Four Corners

Our last major stop on our way home was the Four Corners.   This is the area where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah all touch.  As a family we have decided that is destination spot.  Not that is has fancy hotels or spas, the shopping consists of booths run by the Navajo people, and it really isn't that scenic.  It's just darn cool to say you have been in four places at once.  That and it is a drive..... a long, long drive.  Especially, if you are with Doug who wants to test out the four wheeling capability of a 2003 Nissan Xterra and the patience of his family.  Luckily, I slept most of the time. Hey, the 4 corners is literally in the middle of nowhere - it's not on the way to or from anything!  Besides, there were some amazing dirt roads, what do you expect??

We  stopped in Farmington, NM and Amarillo, TX on our way home.  There was plenty more we could have seen or done but to be honest we were too darn pooped to do much more.

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 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