Moab 2010

One of the arches on our hike the last day.

Now that I am adult I can appreciate even more the fact that my parents ALWAYS took us on trips as kids. It is not easy or relaxing but as a kid my parents took us to Disneyland, Yellowstone, camping etc. We have always traveled no matter how young we were or how much money we had and I now know more than ever how much work that is and yet my greatest memories are of my trips with my family as a kid. Anyone who knows my family knows us as a family that travels and I am so grateful for that. I hope my little family becomes a family that travels together.

This past weekend our little family went to Moab with our good friends Erin and Spencer and Micah and Andy and all the kids. We had so much fun! On our way to Moab we stopped in Glenwood Springs and had dinner with my cousin Rod and his cute family. It was nice to stop and catch up with them, it has been a few years since we've seen them and Glenwood Springs is one of the most beautiful towns! We then drove the rest of the way to Moab and got there around 9...set up our tent in the dark and went to bed. It was a windy night and our tent almost blew over on us but we made it through. Friday morning we took the girls to Arches and saw balancing rock and delicate arch and various other sites along the park route. Then we headed out to a waterfall we heard about. We all hiked down to the pool at the bottom and Mike went behind the waterfall. That afternoon Erin, Spencer, Micah and Andy showed up. We all had such a fun time together and the kids did amazing. Our campsite had a huge rocky hill behind it and the kids climbed and explored that thing all day long. Mike, Andy and Micah rode Upper and Lower Porcupine Rim and Spencer was able to go out and rock climb a bit. Mike and I were going to ride slickrock but we all decided to do a hike together instead and I am so glad we did because it was beautiful! We had a few failed attempts to take the kids swimming, one at a beach on the Colorado River that turned out to be too cold and windy and one in a swimming hole that had Kennedy so stressed out (scary hike down to the water and Sophie wanting to jump right in) that she finally yelled "DAD I AM LOSING MY PATIENCE". Erin and I both had to do some deep breathing after that one to get our blood pressure down. We did go on a fun hike along a river and the kids were able to get in and play and they were in heaven. We had delicious food (s'mores, gourmet grilled cheese, fajitas, french toast, etc.), wonderful friends and beautiful scenery.

Sophie playing in the water.

Yes that is Sophie laying in the dirt, I caught her doing this a few times which is why she was caked in dirt the entire time.

The girls LOVED climbing on everything, this was in Arches.

Kennedy and Milo playing in the dirt.

The waterfall..not sure about the pose Kennedy is doing. Below is Mike at the bottom of the falls.

Kennedy, Isabel, Milo and Charlie (Micah and Andy's dog)

Yes, that would be Mike on the top of that large mountain...trying to give me a heart attack.

The cold windy beach along the Colorado River.

My girls...love those crazy little readheads!

Sophie trying desperately to go down the rocks as a slide.

Mike, Sophie and Ken at balancing rock in Arches.

Spencer, Milo and Isabel below the arch.

Kennedy, Milo, Isabel and Sophie.

Kennedy, Isabel, Spencer, Keeler and Milo.

Kennedy and the kids all fought over who got to lead Charlie on the hikes. This is a major breakthrough for Ken considering she is afraid of all living creatures.

Our little, crazy Sophie.