Monday, June 29, 2009

Summerfest


The amazing rainbow we got when the sun peeked between the clouds

The day of Summerfest was cold and rainy,
and it just happened to be my birthday as well.
We got this huge microburst and we weren't sure that the rides would still be open. We wouldn't have minded skipping this year, but the kids really wanted to go. When the wind and rain stopped we decided to go check it out. The rides were open (we were worried they'd have to shut down) so we got in line and Derek ran over to the ticket booth to buy ride tickets.



On the Ferris wheel

At the top of the ferris wheel



Look at all of those rainbow roofs!



The kids decided to go over to the more serious rides on the other side of the park.
Last year Derek took Ethan on those rides but Julia wasn't tall enough.
So now that Julia was able to go too he decided that I should go with them and he'd watch.
After riding the gravitron and the tornado I understood why he'd opted not to ride.
I was dizzy for a long time!
After that we were all happy to go sit and watch the parade.
The rainbow at the parade

We did leave a few minutes early since it started raining.
But overall we lucked out and missed the worst weather of the day.
And we had a great time!
And I'm glad we went, it has kind of turned into a tradition.

Monday, June 22, 2009

St George, and Zion National Park

We went swimming nearly every day while we were in St George.
It was the perfect way to start our summer vacation!



Every time we go down to St George we have to go to Zion's. It is so beautiful!





Catching tadpoles-- there were tons!






The kids look like ants in this pic






We spotted a few frogs along with tadpoles, and even tadpole eggs




The sand up at the Upper Emerald Pool is super fine and soft.








We really enjoyed the Riverside Trail too!










We had a wonderful trip!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Bryce Canyon

We had such a great time in St George!
Our first outing after arriving was our detour to Bryce Canyon.
It was amazing!
Right outside of St George


Almost there!


The views were spectacular!













The kids, as usual, were great hikers.



















We went on the "world's best 3 mile hike."





















































"Old Bryce Town"




And of course we couldn't visit St George without stopping by In-N-Out!





More to come...