Can't shun tradition: Mudseason Roadtrip 2013!

We decided to stay somewhat local this year (sorry Tina!) and somewhat close to civilization.  Zion National Park, here we come!  Bevan's parents, who are serving their mission at Cove Fort, came with us!  It was so fun... and nice to have extra help with this toddler of ours.  Beverly and Lloyd were uber generous and booked us all a hotel room in Springdale for 2 nights.  The extra pillows were a luxury!  The first night we just bummed around the town and had Anna take us on a walk.  It was wonderful to see leaves on trees and flowers blooming for a change.

On Thursday, we spent the whole day in the park.  Because Zion is so popular these days, they started the shuttle early this year and even have a shuttle on Main Street, dropping you off at the visitor center.  Luckily we caught Zion during a slower weekend without any races or events.  There were still plenty of people, but not the spring break crowd.  I planned for easier "hikes" and strolls, so no Observation Point.  We did go part way up Angel's Landing to the overlook (made famous by Nora, Vanessa, and their families), and then over to Emerald Pools, and even to the Narrows Riverside Walk.  My favorite part was chilling on the green grass at Zion Lodge while Anna played with another toddler.  I swear, she makes friends so easily!

On Friday morning, we had to say goodbye to Beverly and Lloyd, and then headed over to Snow Canyon.  It was even warmer and sunnier.  Anna played in the giant sand box and let her take us on another hike with her new monkey "leash".  She loved climbing on all the sandstone and throwing dirt at lizards.  I thought we arrived in plenty of time to get a camp spot for the night.  I was wrong!  Not only were they completely booked, but every campground between there and Zion was full too!  We considered driving into the hills and squatting like the good ol' days, but then considered an RV park with tent sites.  We drove to St. George and found the Temple View RV Park.  At first I sneered at the tiny, shared site, boxed in by the parking lot, putting course, shuffleboard, and the pool.  Then I considered the advantages.  For a few more dollars than a regular campground, we had full access to the pool, hot tub, rec room, kitchen w/ fridge, bbq area, nice bathrooms, hot showers, and a soft grassy tent pad!

Saturday morning was the Kite Festival, but we didn't linger too long.  There was no wind and the games were kind of expensive.  We'd never seen the historical part of St. George, so we took off for downtown and found the old tabernacle (with a popular splash pad outside), Brigham Young's home, Jacob Hamblin's home, and the temple grounds.  Everything was so beautiful with blooming flowers and a nice peace about it.    We headed back to our "campground" and went swimming and took showers.  I'm really warming up to this RV campground thing.  It's really cushy, and everybody is so nice!  Anna was completely adored by all those grandmas and grandpas.

On Sunday, we hit up an early sacrament meeting meeting and started home.  Anna hadn't had a nap in 4 days, so she appreciated the extra time in the carseat.  It was a wonderful trip and honestly, we could've stayed longer, but had commitments back home.  It's better to end on a high note and find another excuse to head to southern Utah.  Book YOUR next trip with Hawkins Adventure Company!

 I've never seen the "walk-in" entrance to the park.  Really interesting...

Our latest family photo.  Oh, how things will change soon!

 Bevan and I were carrying the same amount of extra weight, just in different places!  We got a few comments.

Pretty Snow Canyon!  Anna's hiking "pace" was just about perfect.

 She's been growing up way too fast!

This was the best "campground" ever!  Green grass and not a lick of dirt!

I lied... so THIS is our latest family photo.  Why can't Anna ever smile for these formal shots?!

Paul's Wedding Weekend!

I don't know why I'm so exhausted these days!  Let's see... late night landscape designs, 4 trips to Salt Lake in 4 days, PLUS a  trip to Logan (I didn't have to drive that time), shopping for a blush pink top for the wedding, which I never did find, skiing one last day before the resort closed, AND finding time for Anna's precious naps!  Actually, Anna is probably more tired than me these days.

Friday was a blast, skiing for a couple hours with Monica and Tom... in honor of Paul.  We wish he could've been there, but understood he was a little busy.  Later on that afternoon, we headed to Salt Lake for Addie's birthday party.  Sharon also flew in earlier that day to help with the party.  It was so fun being around all that 11-year-old energy.  It really picked me up!  That and all the birthday sugar!  Pretzel M&Ms are my new favorite.

Louie kicked me awake EARLY Saturday morning, just to make sure we'd make it to the wedding in time.  I'm so glad he's already looking out for me.  The wedding was fabulous!  Paul and Stefanie were so happy and their families were even happier.  I'm glad Paul found someone so perfect.  She's nice, considerate, smart, and gorgeous!  I'm proud she's now my sister.  The rest of the day was just a blur of party, family, and food.  Anna was a wild child all night, sampling the refreshments, spilling water all over her dress, playing with cousins, making new friends, and falling asleep within 60 seconds of hitting her car seat.  It was a great day!

Easter!

We can't believe it's Anna's 3rd Easter!  Where has the time gone?!  This Easter revolved around food, seriously!  It seems that every day prior to Sunday I was baking for some event or another.  I ate way too much!  We had the annual family picnic at Nora's house and it was lots of fun and, of course, there was lots of food.  For the egg hunt,  Anna and the other babies got a head start, but once she found her first egg full of candy, she sat down and started eating.  I tried to explain that you have to get all the eggs first and THEN start eating.  She didn't care.  She had M&Ms.  She was content.

Church was amazing, of course.  Our main speaker toured the Holy Land with the Tabernacle Choir, so he had lots to say and it was all very interesting and spiritual.  Can't beat that!  Anna had to wait until after church to get her basket.  She turned up her nose at the Peeps and went straight for the chocolate bunny, Lil' Traveler.  She is her mother's daughter!  It wasn't all candy and included some practical stuff too, like bubble bath, a new coloring book, and crayons!  Even adults are mesmerized with a new box of crayons.  They're so sharp and not-broken!  

 Anna loves her cousins!

 She wasn't too keen on sharing her loot with baby Eli.

 This is my new favorite picture of our little swinger!

 She went for the ears first!

An official family portrait isn't complete without Anna making a weird face~!

To Miracle-Grow or NOT to Miracle-Grow???

Is there really a question???

I'm getting really frustrated with my little plants.  The seed-starting mix I used was great for sprouting, but once the sprouts got their first true leaves, they just stopped growing!  I guess the mix is pretty sterile, no organic matter or nutrients.  I ran out halfway through planting my basil and bought some miracle-grow mix.  Look at those results!  Too bad most of my sprouts were planted with the other stuff and now I have to fertilize the dickens out of them!  Wish I knew this a month ago.  It figures we're having a warm spring.  Sigh.