Mesa Verde National Park

We got to go see the Indian ruins in Cortez, Colorado at Mesa Verde National Park. And can I say it was awesome? We drove the 15 miles in the park of switchback roads with the most amazing scenery ever.The kids enjoyed the drive and loved getting out of the car to finally go see where those Lamanites used to live. In this picture above of the rock, Spencer was so impressed. He saw the rock, hollered for me in his really excited voice like he had just made the most amazing discovery, and told me to look. at. this. rock. "Look at the Lamanite foot prints!" I had to take a picture of it because of Spencer's reaction. I just wish I had Spencer in the picture so that it showed better of what was the footprints.

We hiked the steep trail down to the ruins. The kids loved seeing the lizards along the way, the petrogliphs on the rocks, and the steep terrain. The pictures really don't do justice. I didn't put Gavin in the stroller because it was so steep.

When we got to the ruins, the kids were so enthralled. They loved looking around, guessing where the Laminites may have slept, cooked, done dishes, etc.

We even got to climb down into the ruins and see an underground room. It was quite dusty and VERY dark, but the flash on the camera took care of that.

Nathan even enjoyed climbing down the ladder and seeing the room.

Taneal was such a big helper. I had Gavin and I assigned her to hold Nathan's hand. Nathan refused to have anything to do with my mom. And when Nathan sets his mond, there is no changing it. Regardless. Nathan was fine with Taneal holding onto him. And she was really responsible. She did a fantastic job keeping track of Nathan and making sure he stayed safe. Taneal was also a super helper when Spencer suddenly announced a dire need to use the bathroom. I told him the only bathroom around was a bush. And a bush simply wouldn't do in this situation. So Taneal frantically ran with Spencer back up to the top of the mountain to find the much needed bathroom. She was awesome and saved Spencer. It is so wonderful to have a helper like Taneal. We quickly followed behind to meet Taneal back up at the top. Go Taneal!

It was fun telling my children that this is where the Laminites lived long ago. I hope it helped them to understand a little more of the Book of Mormon as we read it. Spencer sure wrapped his brain around the concept as did the older children.

Notice how I don't dare let go of Nathan. That kids can be so unpredictably predictable. You know if you let go for even a second that he would launch himself over a cliff. Not willing to take the risk. I love that little guy too much.
So much fun at Mesa Verde. I would like to revisit it in a few years and tour more of the ruins.

The Colorado River

I think the pictures probably explain this pretty well. We had just driven for HOURS through the Indian reservation. It was long and hardly no signal on the cell phones, and the scenery got old pretty fast. Occasionally we would see a native walking along the road out in the middle of nowhere without anything for miles. And I think we drove for a good 4 hours without seeing a single gas station. So when we came upon the great Colorado River, it was a site to see. And what made it even grander, is my children had only witnessed their first mountains the day before. So to come upon the gorge that that river had cut through the mountains was a site to behold. They were in awe and very nervous about getting out and walking across the bridge. It was fun to see their reaction. And I was very proud of Evan. He behaved himself and didn't try to scare me or any of the kids, 'cause he very easily could have. I am spooked by heights of this magnitude, especially when my children are involved.

4 Corners NM, CO, AZ, and UT

Imagine standing in four different states, all at the same time. Each one of your limbs touching a different state, all at once. What would be even cooler is having a baby there, well, if a hospital was set up there and all that. And the baby could claim whichever state it thought was the coolest at the moment. Okay, maybe not. 4 corners was kind of out in the middle of nowhere and I definitely would NOT want to drive there to have a baby. But it was pretty cool going there and visiting and having all my kiddos pose for pictures to show that they had been there. I think it was one of those experiences that are a "been there done that." Don't think I will do it again unless one of my children don't think the picture is proof enough that they have been in 4 states at once.

Taneal and Camie totally got the idea of what they were doing. After we were done and driving away, I asked Danielle what she thought, and she shrugged her shoulders. I explained what she had done and she just did her little grin and said, "oh." I don't think she really got it.

Nathan was glad to be out of the car. But then it got hot really quick. He wanted to run and there were too many people to let him run. He was annoyed that he had to get back in the car. I can't imagine being Nathan in and out of the car at all these sites and not really knowing, or caring for that matter, why we were going all the places that we went. He was just tagging along with mom 'cause that's what you do when you're two. Or five. Or six. Or nine. Or eleven. They just kind of go where you go. But at least when you are above five you start to understand and get excited about where you are or where you are going.

Spencer was a good sport and posed for the pictures. Waited patiently around while everyone else got their pictures. And got back in the car when it was time to go. He is such a good boy and so sweet and obedient. Man, I love that boy.

And my mom. So nice to come on the drive back with me. I love that she encouraged me to go and see more than I would have otherwise. She assured me it would mean a lot to the kids to see all the sites. Hopefully she was right. If not, I will make a picture book of this summer and the kids will look back at the pictures and think it was cool.

I can't believe all these children are mine. What a great bunch of kids they are.

Truth about the Podium

This is so random. And I know my blog readers will probably quit reading my blog before I get done writing about my trip. But, I had an amazing trip and I do not want to forget it because I probably will not get gutsie enough to make that insane treck again and then where will all the memories go and this is my record just put out there for the almost public to read. Whew! Had to get that out.

Seriously, we did so many amazing things on our trip and I want to record them. I started blogging them and uploading pictures and all that and there are going to be so many more posts. Please bear with me over the next two weeks as I hash them all out. By the time I am done you will feel as if you were there on the trip with me and my perfect children.

And this post is a hilarious one. I have to say that so that you will begin reading with the right mind set.

Last April we were watching General Conference.

That's not the funny part.

Taneal kept catching glimpses of the podium and asking what that oval shape was carved on the stand. I told her it was a Beehive. I think she laughed at me and then asked me seriously, what was it? I sort of glared at her and told her to go wake up her dad and ask him.

So she did and he gave the same response, a Beehive.

She still didn't believe us.

And then a beautiful thing happened on our trip. We were touring Temple Square in Salt Lake City and there, right in the museum, was a podium used in General Conference.

And guess what was carved in the wood? A Beehive.





She believed me.

Now to try to explain WHY a Beehive is carved on the podium. I explained the milk and honey and yada yada yada and she just made slits with her eyes and told me she still didn't get it.

Silly, stubborn, girl. Just trust your momma!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Name that Paw Print

On our drive back from Vernal, we had to pull over. We were in the middle of pretty much nowhere. It was beautiful, but no bathrooms and a newly potty-trained 2 year-old boy who really had to go.

We took care of business and as I was getting back in the car, I noticed this paw print. It was large and deep and looked like a heavy animal to me. But I'm no expert.

Any ideas as to what animal left this?






Here is another picture with my foot in it so you can see the size if the print







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Hiking the "Y"

As much as I hate to admit it, BYU really is a fantastic school. Not sure why I don't live those cougars like everyone else. I guess I have my reasons, but not worth blogging about.

Evan thought since we were in Provo that it would be fun to take the girls on a hike to the "y". I thought it was a great idea, but couldn't realistically take Gavin and Nathan. Spencer for that matter either. They wouldn't be able to hike the whole way and we would end up carrying the. And I wasn't up for that. So I stayed back with the boys and Danielle and Evan took Taneal and Camie along with his brothers Brett and Allen and some of their children and hiked up the mountain.

Evan said it was a pretty good hike and his legs felt like butter afterwards. But Taneal and Camie loved it and thought it was very cool. After they came back off the mountain, they walked the campus and Evan bought both Taneal and Camie BYU t-shirts and ball caps.

They were beaming when they came back. Glad it was a good, fun experience for them. Hopefully they will be motivated to work hard in school so that they can have the opportunity to attend BYU if they so choose.

Wilson's Arch

On our way home, we were driving and driving and driving and passed by this beautiful arch. I asked the kids if they wanted to climb it with me and they were all over it. It was great to get them out of the car and I think this ended up being the highlight of Spencer's trip.

I was a little brave taking Nathan up to the top. He had the wiggles and was being obstinate and I had to hold onto his hand constantly while he wriggled trying to sprint away. Thankfully Taneal is such a big helper and can manage Nathan and his strong will.

My mom stayed down in the car with Gavin. I took a picture of the car to show just how far up we hiked.

Not even sure you can see the car, it is parked and about in the middle of that semi passing by.

This is Taneal. All the kids insisted on getting their picture taken individually. And with that kind of scenery, can you blame them?

Camie. She is such a trooper. She kept stumbling and was a little afraid going back down, so i had her slide down on her bum. She realized that the slopes were fun like a slide and she had a great time.

Danielle. She was the first one down the mountain and back to the car. She has such an ability to climb. We call her our little monkey.

Spencer is careful like Taneal. Those two made a great team coming back down the mountain. They were slow and careful.

Nathan sliding down. I was trying to hold his hand coming down like I did going up, and it just wasn't working. He went faster than my feet could go and I kept stumbling over him. I finally had him slide down the hill on his bum and it worked very well. So much safer than me trying to hold his hand and tripping. He thought it was pretty cool too to be able to do something all on his own.

Taneal and Spencer slow going down.

I remember climbing Wilson's Arch on the way to college. I have only done it a few times, but each time was fun and with great memories. I think my children loved it too. After living away from Utah for many years, I was in awe at the beauty God created for that state. It has so many amazing masterpieces, this being one of the many we were able to see.