Grandpa Camp

This year for the girls sewing retreat the Moms and Nana stayed at home while the kids and Dads went to Park City and did fun things in the surrounding area. Here are some pictures from the Grandpa Camp activities.

Out on Trial Lake in the inflatable raft.

Lots of rock throwing, some fishing but no fish and a little bit of rain too. It was a nice break from our heat at home to have to wear sweaters.

The kids climbed all over Provo Falls,

And of course they were extremely worn out.

We then went to Guardsman pass where the kids played in the snow and then we went to Cascade Springs. After two days of Grandpa Camp, it was time for Nana Beach Camp to start. We don't have pictures of Nana Camp since it was only for the kids, not the parents, but they fished, built sand castles, went swimming, made pictures and more. We had a lot of fun and some kids that slept very well when they were done with the festivities. Looking forward to next year.

Escalante

When invited to go to Escalante to go hiking, who could resist? We planned to leave Thursday afternoon, but plans changed quick when I realized I had forgotten a presentation I was suppose to give Thursday night. So, we had to leave on Friday morning early and met our friends on Forty Mile Ridge. Spending a Friday at Peekaboo and Spooky Canyons beats working any old day in my book. The girls did so good and although they were tired, they had fun. We couldn't have done it without Ashley and Brent. With them, getting through the canyons with two kids was not too bad.

They love Ashley. And Brent. I think Nora has a secret crush on him, she just kept giving him those cute little smiles.

Yeah, Spooky Canyon is tight and deep and dark, but Nora had her Wub so she was good.
*Note: the wubba was taken only to help her fall asleep in the backpack - the trouble was the backpack didn't fit through the canyon with her in it. So much for that idea.

We did have to take some breaks to play in the sand, but that was all part of the fun.

The canyon is perfect size for Eliza and Nora to walk through.

And some of the corkscrew corners were perfect for Eliza to slide down.

It was a little warm and the girls got tired before we got back to the car.

Saturday morning we went to Calf Creek Falls. It was a little cold to swim, but it was just right for hiking and playing in the sand.

On the way home we stopped at our favorite campsite and had dinner with our friends, and then put the girls to bed in the car so they could fall asleep "camping" (very important for Eliza) and then we headed home. It was a little short (like usual), but well worth it. Hopefully we can get out there again soon. Anyone want to go camping?

What have I done?

AAAAAHHH! I'm in. Or I'm dead. I guess we'll find out in a few months.

Winter Break

Each winter about February we have to get up to the snow to have some fun. This year was no exception and so off to Bryce Canyon we went. We went to Rubys Inn on Thursday night and then spent Friday in Kodachrome Basin State Park. No snow but plenty of hiking. Eliza found this "Walk of Death" and even though she was tired, it was still fun.

Of course there was lots of time for swimming in the pool.
But what we came for was the snow,
Saturday morning it came. This is our car outside the room when we woke up.
Luckily we had done some sledding and skiing by the rim when the weather was good.

The girls had a lot of fun and then slept all the way home. The snow was pretty bad going home. When we did get home of course it was in the 50s and sunny.

Birthday Post

Even though we are a little late it is worth a post. Nora's first birthday was super fun, Nana and Grandpa Averett came down the week before her birthday and then Grandma and Grandpa Merkley got to stay for 3 days including Nora's birthday. Here are some pictures and a video.

New front facing carseat - love it.
This picture captures the moment, Eliza was so worried that Nora would get burned by the candle because she did on her birthday, and Nora is so intent on blowing out that one candle, pretty good I would say for a one year old. Nora is also sitting in another present, a big girl lion chair from Nana, she loves being a big girl and sitting right up to the table, unfortunately this also means she does not want to drink out of a sippy cup either, big girls use normal cups.
The doll was a birthday present from the cousins that needed to be carried all around, even when helping dad fix his motorcycle.
Nora loves Grandpa
Lunch at the park with the cousins could not have been more fun.

Where's Nora

Nora really has been growing up lately. She has discovered many things she loves and one of those is the play Peek-a-boo or Where's Nora when she is eating. From the pictures you will be able to tell she has one problem. She gets food all in her hair, and she hates to be cleaned up. Oh well it is worth the fun.

h aha ha

Eliza has found a new favorite - watching this video. I've been dancing around the kitchen to it.