Utah Road Trip

Since I'm laid up this summer with my foot in a cast, we have had to be creative with our summer fun. Last week we took a road trip up Fairview Canyon, drove south through Emery County, and back through Salina and home. This week we decided to do another one--we put on almost 400 miles. We drove down to Loa and then on to Torrey. There you can get on Highway 12, which is a beautiful scenic drive. It takes you over Boulder Mountain and through some of the most beautiful country, ending up at Bryce Canyon. We left about 9 a.m. and got home about 8:30 p.m. We really did have a great time together just looking at the beautiful country. This is taken from the top of Boulder Mountain looking east. Somehow the pictures don't look as awesome as it does in person.

This is west of the town Boulder, Utah. It is all rock. In places it reminds me of the Grand Canyon--it goes so deep. At one point the road (a little skinny 2-lane road) had dropoffs on both sides. Any of you that know me knows I was gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles were white. But it was so pretty.

At the bottom of the gorge it was so green.

Again, green trees in the bottom.

This was an old Anasazi Indian ruin. You can see what they had built here with a hole in the top.

This is a granary they had built to store their corn and other food.

Now we are at Bryce Canyon. Curt took the pictures but somehow the iris was open too far so some of these pictures are too light. They are better at the end. This is a Natural Bridge (it actually is a natural arch, but they call it Natural Bridge).

Curt had to get a picture of my on my crutches. I didn't get any pictures of him, though.

Now, these are better. I love the red color in the rocks.

A picture of the famous Ruby's Inn sign. After we left Bryce Canyon, we headed straight north to Antimony. The road started out good but then ended up like the road from Nephi to the Sand Dunes. Me, the worrier, was afraid we may be on the wrong road, but we finally ended up at Antimony, drove around Otter Creek, and headed home. It was a pretty fun road trip.

Kjar Reunion and Carter's Baby Blessing

For the last couple of years, we have met as a family at Grandma Kjar's house and cleaned up her yard and then had a BBQ after. This year I was unable to help because I had surgery on my foot. I had to have a bunion and hammertoe fixed. The bunion caused the hammertoe. Cashelle came in and had lunch with me. It started raining as soon as the yard work was done so we had to move into the garage and house to eat. Curt was the photographer this year.

We had a garageful, didn't we?

On Sunday, we traveled to Cedar City for Carter's blessing. Curt blessed him at Chris and Amanda's new house. It was a great day. Cashelle and A.J. and family drove to Cedar for the event. It was nice to have so many family members there.

Jayleigh and Lacey at Chris's house.

A.J., Curt, Carter, Brandon (Chris and Amanda's friend) and Bro. Conrad Aiken from Chris's ward bishopric. Curt gave the blessing. He did such a great job.

Chris's family.

I had to throw this picture in. This is how Spencer eats spaghetti.

Retirement, Chris/Amanda's New House, and Camping Trip

Lacey, Landon, and Shelly made Curt this candy bar poster for Curt's retirement party at Shelly's. She made prime rib--and boy was it yummy. Thanks to Lacey, Landon, Jerry, and Shelly for making Curt feel special.


Another picture of the candy bar poster.

A close up--had to be able to read it all!

Curt was helping Chris get his water turned on for his sprinklers and Cody wanted to help. I thought this picture was so cute.

A front view of Chris and Amanda's new house. It has a full upstairs and downstairs completely finished with new carpet and new paint. It really is a nice home.

I had to get a picture of Cody in his new room.

A back view of their new home. Take a look at that deck!

Now, to the camping trip. Lucky got to come along. Spencer and Jayleigh loved her almost to pieces. She had a hard time getting any alone time.

Cashelle braided the girls' hair. It was nice--they didn't have to have it fixed every day.

The four-wheelers were a big hit--they always are! Jayleigh cried every time she had to get off. She's going to be an outdoorsy girl, that's for sure. Audrey was a great little "mother" to her.

Our kitchen set up was great. It was away from the fire and trailers and tents. We had a lot of shade for all the coolers and food. It turned out just perfect for a change. No Rain!!!!

Jayleigh had to have her hair done like Madalynn and Audrey. Amanda loves to fix the little girls' hair. She sat so patiently and read a book.

A.J. and Carter. A.J., Cashelle, Lacey, Chris, Amanda, and I have been counting calories and trying to get into better shape. Between the six of us, we have lost about 100 pounds. Chris has lost 50 all by himself.

The girls loved climbing up the hill across the road and rolling rocks. They all had so much fun.

Curt found this little game over at Wal-Mart. It was a hit. We also had bubbles and glow-in-the-dark sticks that we had a blast with. The last night there after the kids had gone to bed, all the adults were playing with them. Landon dolled himself all up and walked up the road to the other camp. I know they could have seen him if they had looked, but the dogs started barking so Landon retreated. We laughed so hard.

Landon and Lacey's temporary home--his grandma's trailer. Thank you for letting them borrow it!

Cashelle, A.J. and kids slept in the big blue tent. The other one was set up for the kids to play in.

Oh, Carter. You are so cute. He was such a trooper!

Curt and I slept in our trailer and Chris, Amanda, Cody, and Carter slept in the little white trailer. I wish we had just one more trailer so everyone could stay in one. Cashelle and A.J. got along really well with their tent, though. Even after one of the poles broke. Curt and A.J. mended it, and it worked perfectly.

Look how nice and grassy it was where we camped. NOTHING like last year. Last year was a big 'ol mud hole we were lucky to get out of!

Two of my cute grandsons.

4-wheeling again . . . .

and again . . . .

and again . . . .

and again. They all got plenty of turns.

Jayleigh makes this cutest face when she is surprised by something. I just happened to snap the camera at the right time. What a cutie.

Did I say they enjoyed the 4-wheelers?

We went on a ride up to Yearns campground. Amanda flew through the water in the road. The girls had to all have a turn playing in the water. We had such a great camping trip--one that's going to be hard to beat. There's nothing better than family get togethers.