August was one crazy month! Just weeks before we moved out of our house, Brent and I were in charge of my family reunion. We were lucky to find a great deal on a cabin in a gorgeous area at Brian Head, Utah. Before meeting the rest of the family at the cabin, Brent and I took the kids to Bryce Canyon National Park. We camped at Ruby's Inn, which is just outside the entrance of the park. Brent and I came here for an anniversary a few years ago, and were excited to show it to our kids. It is an amazing place!
Outside the historic Bryce Canyon Lodge: Rachel, Sarah, Matthew, Elizabeth
Emma, Brent, Rachel, Elizabeth, Matthew
We went on a (short-little legs-family friendly) hike right after breakfast to avoid the heat of the day.
You could see forever there!
At Ruby's Inn, there was an old western town to explore that was lots of fun. Poor Matthew was recovering from a bad case of car sickness still, but the girls were all anxious to expend the pent-up energy they'd stored from being in the car.
Emma adores anything to do with horses. She often tells me she dreams about them.
At the cabin: Rachel "feeding" a wooden bear some rocks. This kept her pretty happy in the absence of toys. In fact, rocks, dirt, sticks, and a few water balloons and dollar toys provided much of the unstructured entertainment for the kids at the cabin.
One afternoon, we took all the kids to see Cedar Breaks National Monument. It is quite an incredible sight! Then the kids got really into earning their Junior Ranger badges at the visitor's center.
We went to a nearby mountain lake Thursday morning. The plan was to raft, wade, hike, and eat a picnic lunch there, but it ended up being pretty windy and cool. So we made the best of it by bravely setting up camp chairs near the water and cheering on the kids as they each got a turn to go out in the raft with Brent W. and Rob doing the rowing. Also, Bill took several of the boys on a trail that went all the way around the lake. Then we wimped out and ate lunch back in the comfort of the cabin (it had an amazing kitchen!).
The kids didn't seem to mind the weather in the least!
Emma performing an impromptu dance routine at the family talent show. The cute part was Rachel, who kept trying to imitate all of Emma's moves. Emma kept tripping over her, but Rachel never seemed to mind and kept going as long as the song lasted.
To understand why this is so funny, you have to see the Bin Laden version of Numa, Numa on youtube. Brent did his worthiest imitation. It was hilarious! Now my children beg me to play this song so they can dance wild and crazy around the house.
Elizabeth looks so sweet. Emma was sensitive to the sunlight. By the way, the dark, shadowy figure is Brent.
This was the only picture with Rachel actually smiling.
Elizabeth and Emma posing on a tree stump.
Rachel thinks that it's cute to squint her eyes shut for pictures. This happened over and over. Notice Elizabeth dancing in the background.
This shot cracks me up. It was getting cold, and it looks like Brent is checking his watch. My eyes are shut. But the kids are sure cute!
