For the beauty of the earth...

With all our stops, it took us 4 hours to drive there.  We spent 4 hours in the park.  Then it was 4 hours back home.  We left at 12 noon, and got back at midnight.  It was totally worth the drive, and I was happy that we didn't have to spend an uncomfortable night in an uncomfortable hotel bed, or sleeping bag, for that matter :)   

 

The park was pretty full for a Tuesday afternoon in September.  We could hear people speaking French, Spanish, Italian, and German.  Folks come from all over the world to see these wonders!  And here they are, in our backyard.  What a great experience we had and we hope to visit more national parks together.

Another Cousin is Comin'!

This time, it's the MALE variety!  We're so excited for Jon and Emily, expecting a baby boy in February 2011!

Peachies!

Birgit created a Peach Days Queen! With her cute outfit and accessories, Rebecca got the royal treatment as we wheeled her to the parade in her special chariot.

There was lots to see and mostly lots of  C A N D Y  for the kids to run and pick up!  Rebecca filled a bag with tootie rolls, suckers, ice pops, and other goodies.  There was a family of kids sitting beside us and we were so impressed how they left pieces there for Rebecca to pick up, if she wasn't fast enough.  She did get the hang of it by the end of the parade though.

Then it was up and away for the Bachmann 3!  Jim and Birgit watched us take a quick helicopter ride.  Our girl was not scared!  The ride seemed to last about 30 seconds, but it was a great experience for us.

Thanks for a wonderful weekend, Jim and Birgit!

High on a Mountaintop

Picture above from Em. Her post with a movie of Rebecca and Natalie here.

It feels like Christmas to me when reunion time rolls around...I love my couzzies, aunties, and uncles so!

Highlights included:

Just Playing together

The "Unbirthday" Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter!

Dress Up Time!

The fun playgrounds and this cool slide

A fishing pond for the kids

Hangin' Chill with some fun people!

Family Photo

Sunday Morning Hike with Papa

Playing in the "Dream House" with Mimi

We also enjoyed a slide show of pictures through the years and a family testimony meeting on Sunday.

We had a  m a r v e l o u s  time. Great people, yummy food, beautiful nature.  Just missed those that couldn't be there.  Families are forever and I sure lucked out with mine  :)

Photo Booth Favs

Just 1 Question

I was only allowed 1 question!
(But I am so sneaky, I got in about 9 more;)



She was talking about a ride at Lagoon, The Jumping Dragon.

Time to Dance!

The wait is over!  She is finally old enough to join the local dance studio.  She's only been once so far, but she loved it!  She's learning ballet, jazz, and tap dance.

Rebecca is on the side closest to the mirror (in pink):

Hotness in a Jumpsuit

 My Grease Monkey

 

Kristin and Michael gave him this super cute outfit for Christmas and he definitely uses it!  Cracks me up.