Changing Seasons - October 16th, 2011

 Nebo Loop

 Playing in the forest!

 Reflections!

 Doug put this in the sand. Ahhh!!!

 3 Generations!

 Skipping Rocks!

 Scott playing with the kids!

 Scott, Luann & kids!

We went with Scott's family and drove the Nebo Loop before heading back home. The colors were brilliant. It's hard to get a great picture. They don't do it justice. Then we stopped at Payson Lakes and stretched our legs (a couple of the grandkids got real carsick on the winding roads, so we needed a break) The kids ran and played by the lake and then Doug and Scott showed them how to skip rocks! We ate in Payson at a little diner, and then drove 4 LONG hours home. We had to stop every 30-50 miles for sick kids. Next time I will listen to her mom and give her Dramamine!

Pumpkin Patch - October 15th, 2011

 All the pumpkins! (they were not happy that we had to leave...)

 7 Grandkids!

 Andrea & Izzy

 Izzy

 Mandi

 Mandi

 Alex the Giant

While we were visiting Scott's family, we all went to the Pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins. The kids had a blast playing in the mazes, jumping on the hay bales, and burying themselves in the corn.

Harp Recital - October 15th, 2011

 Gwyneth & her Harp!

 Waiting to begin...

 Class Picture

 Room full of Harps!

Gwyneth had a Harp recital while we were in town. She played several songs. She did an awesome job. It is very soothing to listen to a room full of harps. They played a variety of songs.

Hiking - October 2nd, 2011

 The Mountain They Climbed

MaKayla

 The climb up!

 Izzy

 Kevin, Doug, Brad & Andy

 Andy!

Resting after the hike!

 The "Butt Crack"

The day after we hiked the Narrows, we decided to go on a hike that all the kids could do this time. We drove through the Zion Tunnel, and found our own place to hike (one that is not on a map) We pulled off the road and followed a dry stream bed until we came to a beautiful spot. We were the only people there. We hiked up quite a ways, then I stayed with some of the kids, and the rest went up to the highest point they could get too. Brad took Andy on his shoulders all the way to the top. I couldn't believe the difference in the temperature from hiking in freezing water one day, to hiking on the hot, dry rocks and sand the next. I'm so glad my family loves the outdoors, and like going with us.

"Swimming" The Narrows - October 1st, 2011

 Doug at the beginning of hike!

Brad, Stephanie, & Doug getting ready!

 Brad & Steph; Tonya & Kevin

 Ready to go!

 Tonya, Stephanie, & Brad

 Cynthia

 Tonya & Kevin

 Kevin

 Brad "drying out" at lunch

 Tonya & Kevin

 Beautiful!

 Something is wrong with this scene...

we didn't know there was a drop off here!

 Looking up through the slot canyon!

We got together as many of us as could come, and we stayed in Zion for the weekend. Some of us rented the special socks, shoes, and poles. We rode the shuttle to the last stop (Temple of Sinawava) and walked the mile to the river. The water temperature was 55 degrees. The first 10 minutes the water was up to our knees, and then we got to the deepest part. We had to swim holding our packs above our heads. The water was almost 5 feet deep. We hiked up 4 miles, and turned around after "Wall Street". I fell in once, and so did Stephanie. We found a patch of sunshine and dry rocks to stop and eat lunch. We have never gone when the water was this deep or swift. We wore clothes that dried quickly, and we all had a great time. It is so beautiful in the canyon, especially where there is nothing but the river and the sheer walls as high up as you can see. Coming back down the river, we had a rainstorm, but we were all wet anyway, so it didn't matter. It is hard to plan this hike ahead of time, because of the weather. You never know until the night before if there is going to be flash flood danger. Tonya and Kevin travel 8 hours to get here, and have tried for 3 years to do this hike, and this is the first time the weather cooperated. It was perfect. We can't wait to go again!!!