Quail Reservoir

Today was a fun day spent at the reservoir.  More and more cousins and family filed in throughout the day getting ready for my grandma's party tomorrow. 

 Gator did awesome on this little kayak.  She spent pretty much the whole day paddling around the lake.  She even joined Davis, Collin, and Ty going across the whole lake to some cliffs.  I had no idea where they went and I was informed that she took turns jumping off the 35 foot cliff to the waters below.  I was shocked and a little upset, but then when I saw they were okay, I was just mad they hadn't taken my phone with them to snap some pictures!

 I've been wanting to try paddle boarding, and today I got my chance.  It was hard, and I failed miserably, but Davis jumped right on and totally showed me up.  He did great, and I am sure he's found another hobby he wants to pursue. 

Desert 4 wheeling

My aunt Carolyn and cousin Lacey came by this morning on 4 wheelers and said they had an extra if the kids and I were interested in joining them.  We said definitely and jumped on and rode around the desert with them for a couple of hours. 

 When we got back from our ride, Gator wanted to take Izzy down to the creek to play some ball and cool down.  I have a hard time going down to the creek now.  It is so different than what it was for all those years.  That was the first place we would go when we pulled into town, was the creek and swimming hole.  There just isn't any water left and it's pretty much just a trickle.  Gator and Izzy had fun playing while I had fun watching them, and enjoyed a trip down memory lane.

Owen knows how to make me smile and he's been sending me some pictures of Lake Powell.  His phone died though and his charger isn't  working so dang it, I'm out of luck.  I will have to wait until we get home to talk to him about scout camp.  He is having a great time though!

Sheeps Bridge

After dropping off Owen this morning, Davis, Gator, and I drove up to Sheep's Bridge to play in the Virgin River.  We hit this spot up whenever we come visit, it's a pretty reliable place to have a good afternoon.  The water wasn't clear like it usually is, dad said that was because it was raining up in the canyon and the dirty water was what was coming down.   Gator just said she was swimming in a chocolate milk river, Davis said it looked more like Root Beer because of the bubbles.  The dirty water didn't stop us from having fun,  all the muddy water did was save all the little frogs from being caught and stuck in a bucket because we couldn't see any, but once the lightning came, we decided it was time to get out. 

I came back this morning to be greeted by this new lizard friend Gator had caught at the park.  She named her Lizzie, and played with her for a while then gave her a kiss and set her free. 

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

Driving into the play Monday night, we drove past this awesome hiking spot we wanted to go to.  Davis and I figured it would be a good thing to do today after we dropped off Owen, but then we wanted Owen to go with us.  So yesterday after we got back from the temple, we changed and picked up Gator and headed back to St George to go exploring.  Besides my fear of my kids falling and me not being able to save them, we had a great time.  And again, besides my fear of my kids falling and me not being able to save them, look at that awesome view of St George.  I love that the temple stands out and the eye is just drawn to the whiteness and beauty.  I'm glad that we saw this place on Monday night, definitely a new favorite place to visit when we come down. 

Temple Tuesday

As I was planning this week, one thing I really wanted to do with my boys was go to the St George Temple.  They both enjoy doing baptisms for the dead and I wanted to do a session.  Our original plan was to go Wednesday because my dad works in the temple on Wednesday's, but this is also the week of scout camp for Owen and he had a hard time deciding on going to camp or staying in Toquerville.  We decided to get the play and the temple done on Monday and Tuesday so he would be able to go to camp with the ward on Wednesday.  Tomorrow I will drive him up to Spanish Fork to meet the ward for 4 days in Lake Powell, and then I will drive back to my dad's to spend the rest of the week with Davis and Ally.  So this morning we woke up, and Gator stayed with Dianne to play and help her bake and clean while the boys and I went to the temple.  It was awesome.  I loved going to the temple with my kids and I love that they enjoy going to the temple also.  I want them to know and show Gator how important the temple is and I want it to always be a place they want to go to.  After they got done with the baptisms, they walked to the Brigham Young home and took a tour.  They filled me in on their experiences over pizza  after I was done and met back up with them at the Pizza Place. 

Tuacahn

My boys have been to a play at Tuacahn with Dave and Sheila a few years ago, but I've never been.  This weekend my grandma turns 90, and there will be a party for her in Toquuerville on Saturday, when I found out that Beauty and the Beast was playing at Tuacahn, I started looking for deals since I was planning on coming down for my grandma's party.  I found an awesome deal and came down south yesterday for the week.  Dad and Dianne went with us to see Beauty and the Beast.  I loved it.  It was such a fun evening and we stayed until midnight because Gator wanted pictures with some of the cast.  There was a thunder and lightning storm, but that just added to the play, and came at just the right moment.  We didn't get back to my dad's until 1am, so we are a little tired this morning, but we have more plans so we are up and ready for another day. 

 

Fun Fourth

I've decided the worst part of a holiday is I take way too many pictures.  I always spend hours deciding which ones to post.   I don't want to leave any out.  Another great 4th of July has come and gone.  We never stray too far from our routine, but it's a great routine and it works really good for us. 

Dave and Sheila make sure we all start the busy day out with a full stomach and prepare a delicious breakfast. 

After breakfast, we hurry to Layton for the parade.  It is so nice that we can just park in mom's driveway and not deal with traffic and closed roads.  This year has been a HOT one so far and yesterday was no different.  We roasted watching the parade, but we took lots of water and shade along and Smith's handed out popsicles. 

Grandma and Grandpa Jones provide some holiday fun with a family parade and BBQ.  Grandpa Jones got a new grill this year, and cooked up some yummy burgers. 

And after we are all exhausted and melted, we end back up in Layton for the fireworks.  This is my favorite part of the 4th of July.  We just relax and visit and have snacks while the kids light off some fireworks.  It is a good way to end a hectic, hot, fun holiday!

 

Impromtu Roast

We threw together a hot dog roast at the last minute this afternoon.  A little pre holiday celebration!

 Looking through my pictures I took tonight, I kept looking at this one thinking it looked so familiar.  I went back on my blog a couple of summers and sure enough almost exactly 2 years ago I took one almost the same.  Darn Davis for missing out on this one!