Capital Reef

The kids playing down in the stream

We had a fabulous near perfect Memorial Day weekend! We left Friday for Capital Reef, UT. We were suppose to leave early in the morning buy my parent's trailer had a bearing go out on one of their wheels and were held up getting it fixed.  We finally left without them and planned on meeting at the campsite. The drive was uneventful with only the joys of traffic, road construction and small bladders.  We arrived at the Sunglow campground that evening. It is a fabulous campground up a small canyon with tall red rock walls on either side and a stream down the middle.

Our trailer parking area was REALLY flat (that was said with a lot of sarcasm). One side of the trailer had to be brought up and we really had to make sure the wheels were blocked so they couldn't roll down the hill. In fact, after our first attempt to level the hitch slid off the block and bent one of the leveling jacks. Grandpa said that things like a bent leveling jack give the trailer character.

On Saturday we drove into Capital Reef. It is breathtaking. We decided to hike up to Cassidy's Arch. We renamed it Kassie's Arch (which made Kassie giggle). It is a 2 mile hike up the side of a mountain with an elevation change of around 670 feet. The kids all did great. Allie was a trooper and had to work twice as hard as the rest of us. She had to climb over rocks where we could just step onto them. The views were spectacular!

We finally made it to the top and enjoyed the view and lunch. The cheese, summer sausage, crackers, apples and trail mix were just what we needed to get us energized for the trek back down.

Ok maybe we didn't just hike directly back. There may have been a little goofing around.

On the way back to camp we drove up/hiked to sunset point.  The views were also spectacular especially with the early evening light on the red rock.

 I have to say we ate REALLY well! From blueberry pancakes, eggs, sausage and hashbrowns for breakfast to tinfoil dinners and spaghetti for dinner. 

Sunday we spent the day exploring the area around our camp. Brock and Papa decided they would hike to the top of the mountain by our camp. Check out the picture above to see where they went. They were pretty proud of themselves and Grandma and I were both glad they made it back in one piece. Really we knew our mountain men/boy could do it.

Jason and I took the girls up the canyon to find the waterfalls. Apparently the term "waterfalls" was used loosely because the tallest waterfall we found was only about 5 feet high.  Don't worry Mikele found ways to get plenty wet and muddy in the angle deep water!

Sunday afternoon we cranked some homemade ice cream. Papa and Allie helped clean off the paddles.

 Monday was my birthday. I enjoyed waffles with mixed berries and whip topping for breakfast.  We got everything loaded and the trailer backed up to hitch up the trailer. Jason left the truck idling while we hooked up. We were hooking up when the truck died. We both looked at each other and thought. That is not good. We tried to start it again with no luck. After checking a few things, trying a few things and talking to a mechanic we ended up leaving the trailer at the campsite, towing the truck into town and riding home with my parents in their motorhome. 

 We weren't going to let a little car troubles ruin our fabulous weekend. My Mom surprised me with one of my very favorite desserts - Mississippi Mud. 

 The kids had fun riding in the motor home. 

This is the sign of a great trip! 

Update on the truck: The fuel pump went out. Jason and I will be taking a road trip to go retrieve our abandoned property. Funny things our kids said:

Allie "I HATE the wind!!!" (in a whiny voice) "Mom I don't want to leave our trailer, I LOVE it!"

Brock: "We can just go camp another night when we pick up the trailer" 

May Marathon!

Ok are you ready? Here we go. . .

 Brock's birthday was the first major event of the month. It was Brock's year to have a birthday party. Brock, Sean, Jaren and Braxton went to the jump zone for a few hours and then Grandma and Papa took them to Angies to enjoy eating the "kitchen sink." It is a HUGE banana split and they finished it...barely. Jason was on his way home from the FILive conference in Las Vegas. Kassie had her first performance that night so my parents saved the day by coming up in time to take care of the birthday party.  My Mom also decorated the cake for me. What a life saver parents are!!! 

Saturday morning we drove to Brigham City for Brock's guitar recital.  He played "" while Austin's wife sang and Austin (his teacher) played base. Brock did AWESOME! He finished playing and walked back to sit with us and declare "That was so much FUN!!" He is excited to continue lessons through the summer.

Kassie was busy all week with rehersals for Cinderella. She auditioned in February and was selected to be one of the lighting bugs. We were SOOO excited for her and had such a fun time. If you weren't aware that there are lighting bugs in Cinderalla that makes two of us. The lighting bugs help the fairies by bringing them the gifts that are presented to Cinderella by the Fairy God Mother.  Kassie helped present the pumpkin.

 Check out the lighting bug's flashing bottoms. So cute!!

 I asked Kassie why she was making her Crazy Eye face for the picture and she told me. "Mom I had to get some Crazy Eye's in!"

 The lighting bugs and the Fairy God Mother.

 Make-up time!  Kassie had 3 performances. Friday night, Saturday Mantinee, and Saturday night. Then she had her school end of year performance on Monday night.

 Kassie is getting "Glittered!" The girls loved the glitter and were constantly wanting more! You can never have too much glitter!

 These are the ugly step sisters. Kassie was so funny about them. She wouldn't have her picture taken with them and she just kept telling me how UGLY they were. I asked her if that was very nice to say and might hurt their feelings. She thought about it for a minute and then said "Well they aren't as cute as a lighting but that is for sure!" I can't argue with that!

 The girls with Cinderella.

Thank you to all the family and friends who came to support Kassie in her performance!

Sunday Brock was ordained a deacon. It almost didn't happen. The Bishop forgot to present him to be sustained so Jason had to go up on the stand and remind them. We had a great turnout of friends and family (around 45 people) to come support Brock. We are so very proud of him and the choices he is making in his life. 

 After such a busy week and weekend we decided it was time to getaway in our new trailer.  We went with our friends, the Hooleys, to Kelton (north side of the salt flats) for some R&R! It was the perfect location to drive the go kart and relax. Brock made a track (think mario kart) for us to speed test on. Jason beat me by less then a 1/2 of second. GRRR!

Mikele found a new hobby. After one lesson she was zooming around like a pro. Yes I am scared. 

So is Allie.

 Kassie got a little crazy even for Mikele which is saying something.

 The Hooley's got a little competitive. 

Michele got a new buddy!

 My youngest child graduated from Mom's Preschool. We ended our year with a field trip to the fire station. All the kids got really shy an didn't want the fireman to touch them. So we sacrificed the toddler. 

After the fire station we went to lunch at Fire House. Allie was not cooperating for the picture. So here is my graduation certificate for completing my 4th year of preschool. Yeah me!

 Congrats Allie. Thanks for the picture of your bum! (She was giggling the whole time. She thinks she is soooo funny!)

 Shauni, Hollie, Heather, and Me

 Three of our previous graduates.

After all that and more that wasn't photographed (awards assemblies, field trips, a quick trip to Rexburg where I didn't take a single picture, workshop class, ect) We could all use a NAP!!!