Bryce Canyon

So, every Summer Bill and I have pretty much the same camping schedule.  May = Coral Pink Sand Dunes, June = Kolob, July = Yankee Meadow, August = Bill takes the trailer somewhere for deer hunting - I decided I'm done with this schedule.  I complained why don't we go somewhere else like ever.  There's places to go I really want to take a trek out to CA and go to Camp Carpinteria (camping on the beach would be awesome).  There are also local places to go to why don't we go and camp at the Grand Canyon? Bryce Canyon? Duck Creek? Lebaron?  Why? Why? Why?  So after much complaining we got invited by my parents to go camp near Bryce Canyon, and I jumped at the chance - making Bill jump as well.  My parents took the grand kids (Traiden, Kyah, and Lyla) out on a Thursday and we joined them on Friday and left on Monday.  It was a fun weekend, and a great way to celebrate the 24th of July weekend.

Bill driving us up - with MJ on his lap.

Day one:  We went on a 4 wheeler ride to Flake Rock (it's just a weird rock that is falling apart, not much to write about), then we went into Bryce Canyon city to Ruby's Inn.  This place is pretty cool, on one side of the street they have an "Old Town" village, and then on the other side a huge hotel and general store.  After this we went back to camp for a traditionally camping dinner of hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, beans, and watermelon.

Bill and Lyla on a 4 wheeler. 

Gage happy to be in the prowler - although both rides he was on he fell asleep with in 5 minutes.

Silly kids.

What a handsome cowboy!

In the jail.

Lyla on the wooden horse.

I just thought this was cool.

Bill and Lyla walking through the rock shop.

Lyla found these little rocks on the table and made a "rock puzzle" with them.  She wouldn't let us leave until she was finished.

Day two:  We went into Bryce Canyon - wow what a beautiful place.  We went to the look outs and walked around close to the cliffs.  Then we went into Hatch for a yummy dinner, then back to Bryce Canyon City for a rodeo.  I'm so not a fan of rodeo's but Lyla LOVED it!!  Her favorite part?  When the cowboys fell off the bucking horses and bulls.

Kids got matching shirts from Grandma for the rodeo.

Day three:  We went fishing and all that was caught was a sunburn on my shoulders that is still peeling!  Then later in the day we went to the wildlife museum - what an awesome place.  It was a little pricey to get in, but it was really amazing.  The variety of animals and they way they were displayed was just awesome.  Then outside the kids got to feed deer, and there were chickens running around - that Lyla was afraid of weird!

The Bait!

Grandpa and Tyler teaching the art of fishing.

Inside the Wildlife Museum

Outside feeding the animals.

So an amazing trip, and I know we didn't even scratch the surface of the amazing things to do and see in this area.  I hope this is a repeat trip for next Summer, and I won't complain!

Love this kid!

Gage is climbing and being silly all over the place!  Doesn't his eyes and smile just suck you in?

Yankee Meadow

Our third camping trip of the season I call camping instead of Summer was to Yankee Meadow for the Mecham Family Reunion.  This trip was a bit different then the others in that Gage and I didn't camp.  Gage was still getting over his tonsillitis/bronchitis mess so I thought it was a better idea to not have him camp.  So, Bill and Lyla went up Friday spent the night, then Gage and I came up Saturday morning to spend the day then we went home at around 6pm.  Bill and Lyla were supposed to spend Saturday night up there as well, but everyone else came off the mountain so they did too.  Karen Lee was in charge of the reunion this year and had an awesome plan for the kids.  She had pirate hats, eye patches, treasure hunt, etc.  They had a blast!  Lyla left her things in the woods, but keeps telling us that a friendly deer has the stuff and will give it back to her when she goes back - kids say funny things!

The King and The Princess!

King Bill and Princess Lyla headed off to a far away land known to others as Burger King to get their kingdom a well deserved lunch.  They came back with crowns intact!  Love these two!

4th of July!

We had a lot of fun this year for the 4th.  As a shock both Bill and I had the day off - this almost never happens, but we took advantage of it.  We woke up, did breakfast, got dressed, tattooed the kids (temporary (: ), and then headed out for the parade - followed by activities at the Hurricane Community Center.  After that we came home and spent the afternoon in the backyard.  Lyla played in the froggy pool most of the time, but took some time out to push Gage around the yard on our little 4 wheeler.  Then we had a BBQ just the four of us.  Afterwards I'm not going to lie we were worn out by the day.  The kids were asleep by 8:30 (Gage at 7:45), and Bill and I had crashed out before 10.  Maybe next year we will see the fireworks - but it was still a great family day.

Waiting for the parade to start - Lyla wanted candy!

Temp tat 

The first one she picked was the peace sign - she is so my kid.  Peace out!

Yum baby slobber on my sunglasses.

Lyla's fav part - the horses.

Bounce - hous'n

She really wanted him to push her - it didn't work.

I think someone is having fun!

Great outdoor Summer day!

The Laundry Room

I posted before about how with Gage crawling he has discovered how much fun the laundry room is.  Well here is the proof.

The swiffer vacuum is amazing.

I have Lyla trapped!

Mother's Day

Can you believe I forgot to post about mothers day?  Crazy.  I actually had to work this day, but while I was at work Bill took pictures of the kids.  This worked out great because I hadn't bought gifts for our mothers, and pics of the grand kids are always a good one.  Here's some of my fav's.  

It's June!

It's time to SWIM!  Our new house has an added bonus - a community pool and playground. Let's go swimming!

Let's go CAMPING!  In June we make the trip to Kolob for Father's Day Weekend.  We went up Friday and came home on Sunday.  This camping trip didn't go as smoothly as the one at Coral Pink in May.  Gage was getting sick so he cried a lot, and was fussy a lot.  I spent a lot more time then I would prefer in the trailer trying to get him happy.  He had an excuse though - when we got home we went to the Dr.  Turns out he had tonsillitis and bronchitis - Poor little man.

Isn't it pretty.

Gage & MJ hanging out by the trailer.

Lyla, Gage, & Dayton

Cousins!!  Ryker & Dayton

Sitting in the trailer - what a stud!

Gage is on the move!

Gage is CRAWLING! Gage is also pulling himself up on everything in his path and then trying to walk.  He is on the move and not stopping until he can run circles around Lyla!

I see you mom - I'm on the way.

Getting closer!

I've made it!

Now I'm standing and pooping (this is his poop face :))

Because of his on the move stuff - we are also getting injuries because we're falling a lot!  Here's one of his injuries.  I figure I shouldn't document them all - don't need no home visits from child services.

With Gage on the move he has discovered some new things at home: the bathtub toys are just fun outside the tub, the laundry room has lots to discover, he can get outside if he gets to the door fast enough after letting MJ outside, and of course that door stoppers are the best toy ever!

Door stopper - they make funny sounds.

Let me outside!

Please?

One of my favorites things about Gage right now is when he starts getting tired and ready for a nap he gets really clingy and super snuggly.  You almost don't want to go lay him down - but you must.

Snuggle

Did he fall asleep?

Doesn't look like it!

Ok maybe I don't need a nap!

And finally because my kids are so cute here is some pics of them playing together.  They love to play in Gage's room, because Lyla always arranges the toys around the room to signify camping somehow.