Delicate Arch

We drove down to Arches National Park yesterday with my Mom for spring break.  We borrowed a tent trailer from some friends and after an eventful start with a lock smith we were on our way.  The park was so spectacular as we drove to our campsite at Devil's Garden 18 miles in,  I booked it back in October because it fills up fast.  We had fun pointing out shapes and pictures that we could see in the rocks and the amazing formations that have formed over several hundreds of years. We set up camp and then headed into Moab for dinner.  The girls had fun exploring the rocks around our campsite as we set up.  

  This morning after breakfast we drove to the trail head for Delicate Arch   I knew going into it that it was going to be long for the girls, 3 miles round trip, but knew that we had to do it.  The girls did great, we just took our time and there was little complaining.  We were lucky to have a little bit of wind and overcast skies to keep us a little cool and we had plenty of water.  The last little bit before you see the arch you are climbing along narrow rock and it was pretty spectacular to round the corner and see this amazing arch.  It was super windy up there so we didn't stay long but we were sure proud of ourselves, especially the girls for making it.    Brandon hurt his back while setting up the trailer last night and was in a lot of pain, he felt like the walking was good for him but wasn't sure with each step if he was going to make it.  We found a non windy spot and ate our lunch before heading back down. 

After a quiet time this afternoon the girls again had fun climbing on the rocks around our campsite.  We went on a short little hike on the other side of these rocks and played in a sand hill   A storm blew in so we decided instead of a campfire and roasting hot dogs we would head into Moab for dinner and to walk around a few of the shops.   The amphitheater at the campground did a program tonight about coyotes and talked a little about the park, which was fun to listen to.

Temple Sqaure

Gabrielle is on spring break this week so today we drove down to Salt Lake with David and Diana and walked around temple square.  The flowers and grounds were sure pretty in preparation for General Conference this weekend but the tulips were not in bloom yet.  We had fun walking around the visitors centers and enjoying the beautiful weather.   Gabrielle was really cute and wanting me to take a photo of her in front of each flower bed, she is very good at posing and smiling really cute.  I had wanted to take photos of them in their Easter dresses and the matching dresses that Diana made for their dolls.

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday, the weather was just perfect and it was so nice to be outside.  Diana made the girls darling dresses and even matching ones for the American girl dolls.  Tabitha gave a talk in primary and did a great job.  We had a fun Easter egg hunt, the girls had fun with Layni, she is such a cutie and walking around everywhere.  We enjoyed a yummy dinner, we are so lucky to have such a wonderful family.

Saturday

 David tying flies while Tabitha teaches him how to fish, it was really cute to watch.  

 

Back in December Brandon heard that the Mariners would be playing an exhibition game in Salt Lake so we got tickets.  We had so much fun at the game and it couldn't have been a more perfect day weather wise. The girls thought it was to hot so they spent most of their time sitting on the ground drinking slushies or lemonade.

 

We tried round two on dying eggs.  This time starting out with the right mixture and the eggs turned out great.  The girls had fun doing some more eggs and writing secrets notes and pictures on the eggs with their crayons.  

Dying Easter eggs

Tonight we dyed Easter eggs with Emily and Diana.  I read the instructions, but not fully and filled the cup all the way up with the tablet.  The tablet was not dissolving so after trying one batch with each color we decided to start again.  So, I ran to the store for another set of coloring tablets.  Emily sat down to do it filling the cup up halfway to let the tablet dissolve and then add water.  When she reached for the vinegar it really was ammonia and we realized why it wasn't working and why everyone was dying with the strong smell!!  The vinegar worked so much better and the girls had fun dying the rest of eggs.  We had a good laugh.

Sunday

Brandon's Mom is here so we had fun spending Sunday with her.

St. Patrick's Sunday

We had fun celebrating  St. Patrick's day today.  Brandon made green pancakes for breakfast and we had cornbeef, green fruit and lime sherbet floats for dinner.  I am Irish through my Great Grandfather Gibson, my Grandma Lucas's Dad.