Grand Canyon

We left at 3:00 and arrived at Jacob's Lake at around 9:00. I didn't sleep well and probably only slept 4 hours. Everyone was up by 5:00 and went down for breakfast at 6:00. We left by 7:00 but Joel got a flat tire on the dirt road. We finally started the hike around 9:00, but wanted to start at 7:30. We hiked down 8 miles to Thunder River and got water. It was a hard hike down and we were all sore. We hiked the remaining 2 miles and split up into our 2 camp groups. We had about 8 kids with us and they all did great. We caught some fish, made dinner and went to bed. I was so sore in the morning I didn't know how I would do the day hike to the Colorado. I took some Advil and was fine. Sammi and I caught some fish for breakfast and had oatmeal. The hike was great and we had to hike high above the water on some narrow trails. We swam in the Colorado river and it felt good but it was really cold. We took some naps and headed back in the afternoon. I had hung my backpack in a tree, but somehow the rats got into the pack and ate one of my dinners. The birds ate all of Jared's crackers that were sealed in his backpack also hanging in a tree.

The next day I woke up really sore, but took some Advil and was fine. We hiked over to the other camp and started a hike to Tapeats Cave. It was a cool hike and we had to cross the creek a dozen times, such pretty terrain and the creek made some beautiful waterfalls. It was really pretty but the 5 mile hike took all day as it was slow going. The kids did well but we always had to make a chain across the creek to help them across. When we got to the cave it had a tunnell of water that felt good to wade in as we were hot, but then it got cold quick. Paul and Ricky jumped in and swam down the cave. I followed and we found an opening that we climbed into. It was the neatest cave I've been in the Stalagtites hanging all over and the rooms being very large. We had to swim a number of times and only stopped when we got to the underground lake and got too cold to go on. We made it back to camp before dark. Sammi ran ahead of me and was only 1 minute ahead when I came upon a rattlesnake in the middle of the trail. I can only assume that Sammi ran right over it. It slithered into our camp so we ended up smashing it with a rock. We caught more fish and had dinner.

The next day I felt the best I had the whole time and packed up. One group headed out early and the rest of us left a couple hours later. We were going to camp on the Esplanade but we all got out before dark. Joel drove home and got home at 4:00 AM, the rest of us camped on the top which was cold and we didn't sleep well. In the morning we had breakfast at Jacob's Lake and came home. Sammi did great on this trip and never complained. She did great on the 10 mile hike in and the 10 mile hike out.

Can I Just Vent!

Ok, so just to preface I love to have children to play over at our house. I always want to be the house that is fun to come over and play. We have two neighbor children who I feel I have been very good about having over to play on a regular basis. Yesterday, was my breaking point! Jake has been out of town all week and I had my friends kids over while they went through the temple. They were so good, not a problem! But, this neighbor girl comes over everyday and her Mom or Dad brings her so I feel like I cant say No, not today. Well, the other day I was leaving to meet with my childs teacher and had Ashley down the street come babysit since Sammi is gone to the Grand Canyon with Jake. Well, this little girl and her Dad show up and I say " I am just leaving and Ashley is babysitting" and he says "Well I am sure Ashley wouldnt mind watching one more" I am fuming, because I mind! She is over everyday and she constantly whines and tattles on my boys! Well, my breaking point came yesterday when she came over and they were all playing outside and Tanner comes crying with a bloody nose! She had whacked him in the face with these foam swords that we have. When I asked her what happened she said she didnt do it. That made me mad because all the other kids saw her do it. I was going to send her home but she came in and said she wanted to go home. I felt bad, because I am not normally that frusterated but it was a good thing because we had a great afternoon and there were no more issues. I just needed to vent about it since it has been bugging me. I feel taken advantage of sometimes like she has so many kids already what is one more! On a positive note I love to have kids over to play and I am happy to watch any of your children anytime. Truly!

Missionary Moment

The sister Missionaries called and asked if Rebecca and I would go with them to visit a 10 year old girl who wants to come to Activity Days. We met them at Tailor's house. Rebecca was very shy and nervous at first. I talked to her about Activity Days and got her contact information to get in touch with her. The sisters went over her Book of Mormon reading and taught her about Fasting. She really wants to be bapzited but needs to attend church at least three times. Her parents are members but not active. Rebecca really warmed up and told her about her baptism and Activity Days. Tailor wanted Rebecca to say the closing prayer and Rebecca asked that Tailor could be baptized soon. At the end Tailor likes to play charades. She has a ton of energy and her attention span isnt long so the sisters play this at the end. It was cute to see Rebecca act out taking the sacrament and reading the scriptures. It was a neat experience for us and I am so happy I got to share it with Rebecca.

Easter in St. John's

We spent Easter weekend in St. John's with my family. My sister Amy and her family live there and we all went and stayed at her house. It was really a cold weekend but we all had a great time. On Friday we went to the Petrified Forest near Holbrook. The kids loved walking the trails and being with their cousins. It was super windy that day. There were all these petrified logs and some of them had contained big crystals but people have taken the crystals out so there are just big holes where they were. On Saturday we had an Easter egg hunt in the backyard. We scattered the kids by age and they had fun finding and eating their finds. Later we went to Lyman Lake and had a barbeque and did some hiking. There had been some snow flurries that morning so it was really cold. The kids had fun skipping roks in the lake. That night after all the kids were in bed the adults played Ticket to Ride, I love that game. My Dad had never played before and he loved it too. On Sunday we all went to church. The church buliding were in was over 100 years old. It was a nice meeting and it is fun to go to other wards and meet new people. We had a really yummy early dinner and then headed home. Thank you Amy and Brad! It was fun to get out of town and to spend time with family!

Good Excuse!

It has been too long since I last posted, but I have a really good excuse! Or, at least I am going to use it as one. Watch out, five is becoming six! Yes, we are having a little bundle of joy join our family and we could'nt be happier about it. It was a real surprise but a great one. Tessa just turned a year old so they will be 19 months apart which is the closest for me but it will be so fun for Tessa to have a little brother or sister to have at home with her.