Cedar Breaks Take 2

Over Labor Day we decided to make a return trip to Cedar Breaks National Monument. What a fabulous trip! Emma could not believe all 7 of us were driving together in the Suburban for 3+ hours to camp in a tent together for 3 days, but we enjoyed every minute of it. She also couldn't believe we wouldn't be showering, but the smell wasn't too bad until we were packed in the Suburban driving back--whoa! What a strong campfire scent!

This may have been the cause:

Raspberry waffles with whip cream for breakfast, yum!

Devin enjoyed chopping wood for the fire.

Emma (and everyone) helped wash dishes--it was worth it to pay for a camping spot with running water, flush toilets, etc.

Connor practicing his karate moves.

Connor and Aspen met a little girl at the next campsite who they enjoyed playing with.

A stellar jay (we took this photo for Grandpa Pearson)

We once again hiked the mile to Spectra Point, which wasn't too bad, so we decided to hike the second mile to Rampart Overlook--bad idea. The second mile was all downhill, which meant the third mile was all uphill, and with 35+ additional pounds on our backs (Dennis carried Aspen & I carried Connor), we thought we were going to have to crawl out of that canyon! We made it, however, and it was beautiful (Aspen did hike that downhill second mile).

We made it!

And what could be better than a bubble bath to clean up when you return?

Cedar Breaks

For the 24th of July we decided to visit Seth & Marian in Cedar City and go camping in Cedar Breaks--what an awesome weekend! We drove down Thursday night after work and stayed in their apartment, then early Friday morning we headed up to Cedar Breaks National Park to set up camp, hike, and enjoy the beauty around us. At 10,000 feet, the temperature was absolutely perfect (60's and 70's), it rained as we went to bed Friday night and as we left on Saturday, but we couldn't have asked for anything more. We also went during the height of wildflower season--everything was absolutely gorgeous! I have included some of Dennis' breathtaking scenery and flower shots among pictures of us hiking and at camp--enjoy!

Our family at Sunset Point (thanks Seth for taking such an awesome picture!):


The kids were real troopers while we hiked:




Even Shaylee was smiling on this 2-mile loop hike:


Shaylee & Devin with Aunt Marian:




I am blowing this one up for my wall (if you want copies of any of his photos, let me know):






Aspen was a real trooper:


Seth & Marian were so great with all the kids:






Shaylee still smiling--this must have been an AWESOME hike!




Connor was so comfy he took a nap against my neck, ugh.










The kids were soooo entertained by the rocks in our campsite (the frisbee also came in handy).

What could be better than Oreos?