Sunday, May 28, 2017

Green River, Arches and Goblin Valley

Between Shane and I going on several trips this year without our kids and then the chaos of moving, I was feeling quite guilty that I was ignoring my kids and not spending enough time with them.  We promised them a trip once things got settled down in our new house.  Not wanting to plan an elaborate trip and knowing all our kids really want to do is swim, we decided to a do a long weekend down in Green River.

We drove down Thursday afternoon, ate dinner at McDonalds in Price (it was all they could talk about the whole way down.)  Then that night we checked into our hotel and went swimming.



The next morning we drove over to Moab and went to Arches National Park.  The kids loved looking for Arches and did great hiking around all morning.  I told them every time we reached or saw an arch I had a treat for them, so that helped with attitudes.  They loved chasing the lizards and even saw a bunny rabbit.  They loved Balanced Rock and Double Arch.  Right before lunch we hiked a short distance to a viewpoint of Delicate arch and that was the most grumpy they got, it was hot and they were hungry.  After eating lunch we headed over to Sand dune arch where we had their buckets for them to play in the sand in some shade.  That afternoon we swam back at the hotel and then ate pizza in a park followed by some popcorn and a movie.



























Saturday morning we headed over to Goblin Valley state park.  We had such a fun day here.  The kids climbed and climbed all over all the rocks here.  They thought some looked like Smurf houses, some looked like Mario mushrooms but pretty much they thought the entire place looked like a big Pokemon battle field.  We spent quite a bit of time looking for 'Team Rocket' and making sure we weren't discovered.  We even took some walkie talkies and split up and hid from each other for a time.  I figured after we ate lunch they would be ready to go but they insisted on continuing on for about another hour.  Such a fun day and I loved watching their imaginations at work.



















And I have to add this picture in here because the highlight of the day might have just been seeing this pink truck. They were insistent we get a picture of it....lol



That afternoon we went back to Green River and went to Swasey beach along the river to 'the beach' where Siena was mostly dismayed that there were no seashells.  However, they still had a great time playing in the sand and water.





Sunday morning we headed home, stopping by a geyser that we never saw go off but still fun to see the river from a different view point.



We had such a fun weekend and the kids did great on the trip.  We had all 3 of them share a queen sized bed and turned them sideways.  They slept pretty good except for the time at 3am when I was woken up by them fighting over the covers and who had more.

Easter 2017

We had another great Easter.  I think the first year of being in our house the kids are going to wonder if all these present givers are going to know we moved. (Secret Leprechaun, Easter bunny, they've already asked if Sparky the elf will be able to find them...)  Luckily the Easter bunny knew exactly where we moved to!



The kids were also excited that our new primary was doing a primary activity.  It was such a fun activity.  The spent an hour doing little crafts, decorating cookies, playing games, etc. and then at the end had an Easter egg hunt outside where the Easter bunny showed up.  It was a fun way to get the kids integrated into their new primary setting and they had such a good time.



Of course we did our annual Easter egg dye.



Sunday morning they found their baskets and the Easter bunny hid eggs all over the main floor of the house.  They were pretty excited that the Easter bunny put small Pokemon figurines in some of their eggs.  After going to church, we sent the kids on a small scavenger hunt where they found a small gift from us.  I love that we can enjoy a fun Easter but that they also know the reason we celebrate Easter. They always have a lot of questions about the Resurrection and what that means for us.  They may not fully understand it but they are trying and I love that!



Happiness Book 2017


Happiness is going to pre-school just like my sisters


Happiness is learning to ride a 2-wheeler



Happiness is being a Sunbeam


Happiness is snuggling with Grandma


Happiness is any time I get to do a craft


Happiness is a sleep over the last night in our house


Happiness is a new house with a Red door.

Happiness is playing Soccer


Happiness is getting to live with Grandma and Grandpa


Happiness is getting our own library cards


Happiness is all things Pokemon




Happiness is a new park to play at