Beautiful, Bewitching, Bryce

On July 20th, two vans full of 9 enthusiastic kids, and 2 frazzled looking- but excited adults, headed out of the Salt Lake valley for southern skies. We were lucky to have 3 nephews from Idaho and 3 nieces from Florida along with us. I have been to many canyons, but none has mesmerized me like Bryce Canyon. It is an alien land on earth. The course of nature develops formations and colors that are truly stunning! I LOVE this place.
Our trip started out with a BANG when Nadine ran down the hill when we first arrived, tripped, and tore up her knees and scraped up various other body parts. The Park Rangers were called because of the amount of blood. They cleaned her up nicely (unfortunately she didn't get the cutie-batootie young men, but the girl ranger and married fellow did just fine). We had lunch and then started off for the second time. Due to Nadine's injuries we didn't do any long hikes, but because she's a good sport, we did part of a few amazing trails, and even hiked to the bottom. This is the third time I've been to Bryce, and I was just as awestruck as the first time. I advise you all to go. It's well worth the trip.

My, It IS Grand

Our second stop of our trip was at the Grand Canyon. It is truly an amazing site to behold! Nadine continued to be a trooper and hobble around with us, but here, the trails weren't as steep as Bryce - there's NO way I'm letting 5 boys try a trail down the Grand Canyon! We camped for two nights at a National Campground across the street from Jacob Lake Inn, where I worked after my freshman year in college. The kids reluctantly, but sportingly adjusted to no-plumbing-toilets (Jensen: "It stinks in here!") and were really helpful setting up camp and watching out for each other. It POURED the first night, but we survived.

We spent the day admiring God's creation and then most of us returned at night to see a bit of the sunset across the canyon. It was a beautiful day.

Lake Powell

I have been in a BAD mood all day. Not only do I have an acid tongue, but acid seems to be oozing from every pore. Don't visit me today. But because I detest living in such a state, I decided to do something fun and cheery, so you will get another post. I guess there really is opposition in all things.
Anyhoo, I am going to post on our recent trip down south. I'm starting at the end of the trip so that those who don't check my blog for awhile will be able to read about the trip start to finish.
Lake Powell has been my favorite lake for years. I learned to water-ski here while I worked at the Grand Canyon. I love the unusual beauty and the warm water. It's so different from most lakes. You miss the shade at times, but hey, you can always bring your own if you plan ahead (which leaves me out - being a busy mom preparing to leave a few hours after a week trip to Park City, and looking after two vans and 9 kids - How did my parents do it?!!!) We started on a semi-private location on the lake. There wasn't much of a beach, but the kids got to "cliff" jump, which was fun for them to do and fun for me to watch. We had a little blow up boat we took turns paddling around; add to that a plethora of floaties and you have the makings of success.
We went to a pavilion for a bathroom break and lunch. Then we went to a beachy part for shallow water and the "beach" experience. Then the fun began. We were only going to stay 1/2 hour. That became 1 1/2 hours when both of our vans got stuck in the sand!!

Here's the story: We foolishly drive down a sand road, stop at the side of the road to unload, decide to move the vans because it's not a great place to park (duh!) and in that 10 minutes the vans have sunk a foot down into the sand. Paul and I borrow a shovel, start digging, nice couple in large truck stop to pull us out, man in big truck pulling boat gets impatient and tries to drive around us, gets stuck. We get out the van out, Paul drives it to safe place, comes back to help truck and boat out; they succeed. The truck/boat man leaves his trailer partially on the road to come and help us get our second van out (which I've been trying to dig enough sand away to help for the inevitable pull). While pulling our van out, another big truck and boat come, get impatient (can you guess the result?...) and you guess it - get stuck in the sand. (As I see them start to go around I'm vainly wishing them to stop, but oh well.) We get the second van out, Paul moves it to safe location. The man in the truck who helped us goes to turn around so he can get his trailer. Meanwhile another truck comes and gets the 2nd truck and boat out. Meanwhile still, a small sedan comes, gets impatient for the trailer to be moved, goes around and...NO WAY!...gets stuck! The car is on a severe tilt and the drivers side is buried half way in the sand!!! Please! This is getting ridiculous! Paul gets back, helps the others dig out the car. (Those poor people who were just there for a relaxing day at the beach. They parked smart and spend over an hour digging us all out. God bless the kind.) We all walk to the vans, get loaded up, drive to the bathrooms to change, and get home after 12:30 in the morning. What an adventure.

West Jordan's Got Talent

I haven't done many posts this month because of family trips and vacations. I'll post on those adventures later. Before I do that, I had to showcase my son's talent for creative running, jumping, crashing, and rolling. Enjoy!

You Scream, I Scream....

Today the weather got nice and toasty. After weeks of rain and complaining, you'd think we'd all celebrate, but instead we're moaning about the heat...sitting under the cooler, dreaming of cold drinks, ice cream and dips in the pool. I guess there's something to enjoy in each type of weather. Today I salute cool rainy days...while enjoying my ice cream cone.

Here's a recipe for a great summer drink:
Mango Limeade
2 frozen mangos (previously cut and frozen)
1/3 cup lime juice
1/2 cup sugar (more or less)
Made up frozen pink lemonade concentrate
Or limeade, or normal lemonade
6-8 ice cubes

Fill blender half way up with pink lemonade. Add frozen mangos, lime juice, and sugar. Blend until smooth. Add ice cubes and blend until finely chopped. Enjoy. (You can add sprite to each glass when serving if desired.)