Family Fun

I'm so happy the summer is here not only has it been sunny and hotter then usual but I get to spend more time with my family.  I'm expecting my 20th niece/nephew this summer.  Unfortunately they don't all live close.  I wish they did!  First I got to spend a day with Penelope and Scarlett.  We had so much fun.  We went for pedicures, went to the park, watered the garden and many other fun activity's.

Then the very next day 4 of my nephews got to spend an "Hour of Fun" with auntie!  This started with a trip to the Rootbeer store.  Where the boys all got to pick 2 pops each.  One for now and one for the car ride home to Spokane.  We then went to Black Bear (frozen yogurt) the boys loaded up their bowls with lots of yogurt and candy.  Surprisingly I refrained from having any. I'm trying to cut back on sweets but man its hard!  Our last stop was to RiteAd.  The kids each got $5 and 5 minutes to spend it.  Most of which they spent on junk food of course.  I offered to stop off at the park on the way hamoe but only James wanted to so we skipped it.  They had to head home soon anyway.

I've been trying to find a time to take Mallory and Andrew to Red Robin but it just hasn't worked out yet, However I did get to hang out with Mallory all day last Monday.  I asked her what she wanted to do and she said make a cake.  So we spent quite a bit of time making it just right.  She even got to crack the eggs!  Before that though we stopped for a donut.  I asked her if she wanted to go the donut shop close to home or the far one with crazy donuts.  She picked the far one with crazy ones, but when we got there she just wanted a plain chocolate long john.  We had McDonald's for lunch then played in the sprinklers in the back yard.  It was a fun day.

I do really wish my family lived closer so I could spoil them more often!

UTAH

David, Sammy (dog) and I decided to go on a road trip this year for our family vacation.  It's not Europe but it was just as fun!  We took the motorhome and headed out toward Utah.  The first night we didn't make reservations and was worried about the campsite being full.  Luckily it not only had openings but we were the only ones there!  Which surprised me, because it was a Saturday and pretty nice out.

Farewell Bend State Park

 

Next we ventured on to Nathanael's (my brother) house.  We got there a little later then thought though, driving in the r.v. was slow and we lost an hour time change.  Thankfully Mary-Anne had made us a yummy dinner and Kim (or Isaac) made dessert!  It was great getting to play games with them after even though it was only a few hours.  The next morning we headed onto Moab.  I had no idea there was so much to do and see there.  We went to Arches National Park, Canyonlands N.P.  and Dead Horse State Park. 

double arch

Landscape arch

Delicate arch

Besides all the beautiful hikes we went canyoneering!  I was pretty nervous ahead of time but loved it!  This included hiking and repelling!

Morning Glory bridge/arch which we repelled down from

Moab is know for it's 4xing trails so we rented a modified jeep and the next day did some off-roading.  David really enjoyed this part, but me not so much.  I guess I didn't know what I was getting into so it scared me when it wasn't going as I imagined.  Although David pretty much knew what was going on he said it was more adventurous then he thought the trail would have been.  After we got back I googled the trail name "Steel Bender" and found out it is one of the most extreme trails in the country!  We took Sammy to but she slept during most of the 5 hours it took to go only a few miles.

Steel Bender Trail

I totally could have stayed a few more days but in the morning we had to start our way back.  We stopped at Goblin Valley S.P.  for one night.  The weather was nice and we had tons of fun climbing on all the formations.  This place was pretty cool but the pictures don't do it justice.

Goblin Valley

 We took 2 more days driving back and stayed at winery's both nights.  Hopefully we can go back someday and venture to other great places too!  All and all everything went well, even the weather.  We also had fun trying to take "selfie's" (photo's).  I tried to save a few good pictures for Christmas cards still.