Natural Water Slide at Bryce Canyon

Here are some pictures of our time at Bryce Canyon where we found a waterfall and a natural water slide for the kids to play in. And boy, did they have fun! See for yourself:

Summer Vacation

This summer our family drove up to Idaho and had a family reunion with my grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins and their kids. But having pregnant brain, my camera was not charged for that part, and I forgot to bring it the other part of the time. So, sorry I don't have any pictures to share from that part of our trip. It was lots of fun though. We all had a great time visiting, eating, playing, swimming, and eating. It was great to see everyone and renew all of those relationships.
After Idaho we drove to Salt Lake City and stayed there for a couple of nights. We went to Temple Square and Lagoon. It was my first time to Lagoon (I know, shocking right? I lived in Utah for 2.5 years and never went there). I am pregnant, so I was unable to ride any of the rides. I did take Lucy on the Merry-g0-round several times though. The kids had a great time.
After Salt Lake we drove to Bryce Canyon in southern Utah. And boy, if you haven't been there, you've got to go! It is so beautiful! I even went on a hike all the way down into the canyon and all the way back out! I was pretty proud of myself (even though I had to take several breaks). We camped (in tents) for 3 nights there, which was also very fun, except for the wind storms that nearly blew our tent over 2 nights in a row). On our last day there we went to see Mossy Cave and the Water fall and the kids had tons ov fun riding down a natural slide. They were soaked, but had so much fun! The kids also earned their Junior Ranger badges, which they were super-proud of.
After Bryce Canyon we drove farther south and visited Zion's National Park. And it ended up being their Centennial Celebration (and so everyone got in free that day!). We took another hike there and saw deer and other wildlife. And because of the kids Jr. Ranger training, they were able to identify various "scat", which is another word for animal poop.
When we finished our Zion's experience, we drove home. The kids were ready to be back in California, and back in their own beds, and so were we!
It was a really fun trip, but we ready to get back to normal life. Here are some pictures from the trip.

Ice Cream Fun

So it has been pretty hot this summer and you know that I am pregnant. So I took the kids to get some Thrifty ice cream occaisionally. And well ... Lucy loves chocolate, and Thrifty's was having a sale on the double scoops...so this was her after enjoying (very thoroughly) her double scoop chocolate ice cream cone. She loved it ... and then she got in the tub.