Zions National Park-Day 1

Kevin and I decided to take Brandon and Isaac and head off for a short vacation at Zions National Park. The boys got new bikes for Christmas and have been wanting to ride them somewhere warm so we thought this was a good place to bike and hike. Thanks to good grandmas who watched Maycee and Jake so we could go.




Here we are all packed up and ready to go.


We arrived at our hotel and noticed this gorgeous view from our back door.


As soon as we got their the boys wanted to unload their bikes and head up the canyon and ride the Pa'rus trail. It was a nice fun ride. We enjoyed going along the river and up and over the bridges.

We got back to the hotel we decided to find some yummy dinner and then head to the hot tubs. After a good soak we went to bed because we had big plans the next day.

Zions National Park-day 2

We got up nice and early ready to hike. It was a bit cold in the morning so we bundled up.




We started off hiking the Emerald Pools. This was a great hike for our family. We loved the red rocks and mountains surrounding us and the pools of water we saw. The boys loved climbing up any and all rocks they could find.

Next we hiked Weeping Rock. This is a short hike but a classis that you must see. Somehow I didn’t take any pictures. I think I took too many pictures on the emerald pool hike. Some passer-by even commented on how well my kids behaved for pictures. He said that I must have taken lots of pictures of them.






















Our last hike was the Canyon Overlook. First we drove through this 1.1 mile tunnel through the mountain to get to it. The tunnel was so dark we had to turn on our car headlights. Then we hiked up, some parts holding onto a railing so we didn't slip of the canyon edge. At the top was a beautiful view of the canyon.






We spent the rest of the day riding bikes. First we rode prospectors trail. If you ask me this was a tough ride. But my boys said it was easy. We rode on a dirt trail up and down and over rocks. We even had to get off our bikes a couple times to carry them down the rocks/sandstone. The boys would ride ahead and every once in a while stop and wait for me to catch up. It was so fun to see my 7 and 9 year old boys zooming ahead of me and laughing as they jumped down rocks and stuff. They did so much better then I thought they would. I thought I was a tough mom but I think now I am a little wimpy.



After this bike ride we went and rode another trail in the Coral Canyon area. This was a paved trail and much more smooth ride on my tushy however there was a lot of up and down hills and by the end my legs were shaking going up some of the hills. Isaac would zoom right passed me and say "keep pedaling mom"

Zions National Park-Day 3

On our way home


Trying to entertain ourselves in the car

Maycee's 4 year old Birthday

I can't believe that my little girl is 4. We had a wonderful day. There was no school and Kevin didn't have to work so we played all day long. Maycee wanted pancakes at McDonalds to start. I did sneak a candle in McDonalds so she could have her "candle in a pancake" birthday breakfast. Next we opened presents and played with presents. Then we went to Brandon's soccer game, then to the mall and then out to dinner. At dinner they sang to her and she thought that was pretty special. When they started walking over to her, they were singing and clapping and maycee said, "Why are clapping". I think it took her a minute to figure out that they were clapping and singing for her but once she did, she smiled from ear to ear.
We finished off the night with some bday cake. Maycee loves kit-kats so when I saw this cake I new I had to make it for her. It was full of sugar but worth every bite.

Presidents Day Weekend

We had a 4 day weekend and we filled it full of fun stuff. Here are some pictures. Monday was Maycee's birthday so we had a big party all day long. I will post her birhtday pictures next post.

Brandon had an indoor soccer game.





My mom and I took Brandon and Isaac skiing all day Saturday. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time.




This was Isaac's first time learning how to ski. He caught on really quickly and loved it. Towards the end of the day I took Brandon on one of the upper lifts and my mom and Isaac stayed on the lower lift. My mom said that when they got off the lift Isaac looked at her and said, "Grandma, I will just meet you at the bottom" and he took off and zoomed down the hill. I guess he didn't want to wait for Grandma.








Isaac had a basketball game. Sorry for all the pictures. Isaac has the most dramatic faces when he plays basketball and I couldn't choose just one to share.