summer trip part 3

This place was called the Valley of Fire.  That's what it felt like to at 117*.  I felt like I was melting.  On our way to Hoover dam from St. George my dad was navigating and told me to get off at the next exit, that it will still take us to the dam, and only add a "few" miles, and we get to see the valley too.  I think he was off by a "few" mile.  On the freeway I think it said 30 miles Hoover dam.  By the time we got there it was 3 hours later.  But hey, we got to see the Valley of Fire.

        The kids being kids.

Taryn climbing up to the rocks with little caves.  Taryn was the only one who wanted to put out the energy to get up that.  Half way up I thought about snakes, but she didn't see any.

                                                                         More rocks

 Hoover dam.  Only 116* there. I had never been there and I was pretty impressed.

summer trip part 2

From Provo we made our way to Bryce Canyon.  It was here during this picture that when we got back in the car I realized our mistake.  That is new asphalt.  Getting back into the new car with very light interior about made me sick, more so because I knew the fit Tom was going to have when we got home.  I got over it pretty fast.  I do have 4 kids and I know what the can do to cars.  Anyways we drove through this rock tunnel.  Pretty cool.

Here is a picture of all of us at the entrance.  We then got on a shuttle and were taken to all the lookouts. 

Here is Lauren protecting Jacob.  Taryn and Lauren thought someone would fall off at any moment.  I guessed I missed the part where I was the mom.  There were some cool shapes in the rocks.

                                              Jesse, Jacob, and Taryn

                                                       Lauren, Jesse, and Jacob

Grandpa was in a lot of pain but didn't want to show it.  He had a knee surgery a few months before, but the knee is worse and it was killing him that he was not able to get down those mountains and hike.  Another time for him.

Next stop was Zion Park.  It was over 100* that day.  It was misery.  I didn't bring a stroller because I didn't think we would have room in the car so I carried Bree everywhere.  My arms were killing me.  We were lucky enough to have a personal guide for this trip.  My Uncle Ferris goes up to Zion to hike a few times a week so he knows the ins and outs and the best places for smaller feet to go.  The   first one was the weeping rock.  The kids had a great time in the sprinkling water, and it felt good on the hot day.  Lauren was sick with an infection and was not able to join us this day. She stayed with my Aunt Ronnie.

        Jesse and Taryn at weeping rock.

This was a river that we rested at.  Jesse, grandpa, Taryn and Ferris went for a hike and I stayed with Jacob and Bree at the river where they had a great time.  The water was freezing but I got to soak my foot where I was bitten by a yellow jacket few days before.  It was so swollen I could barley tie my shoe.  I'll spare you the picture of that.

Redding water park

This post is pretty self explanatory.  We try to make it down to Redding, the closest water park, at least once a summer.  Trying to find a day that works for everyone is pretty tricky with 4 moms involved, but we have fun!  This was Bree's first time and she loved it.  Her and Jacob spent every second they could going down the slides.

This is Lucas.  My niece's little boy.  He is too cute and had a fun time in the water too.

Here is Jesse, Grandma Wendy with Lucas, mama Kym, Jacob and Tom.

In n Out for dinner on the way home.  Don't think we will see one of those in Oregon anytime soon.