Memorial Day Weekend

 We love camping and hiking and figured since this year our kids had a 4-day weekend for Memorial Day weekend, we should take off. We didn't want to go too far from home without a reservation on this busy weekend so we headed to Zion National Park. Their campground was full and so was our second choice at Red Cliffs so we ended up in the Leed's KOA within a couple of minutes of Red Cliffs. After setting up camp and having lunch, we took the kids to do a water hike at Red Cliffs--a favorite little jaunt of ours for many years now.

 I love that Taylor is getting so brave in the water and went down this natural water slide into the cold and deep water.

 I should have brought swimsuits!

 Lots of nice shade on our little trek

 Red rock is so much fun for kids with all its holes and cracks to explore.

 Night time in the tent trailer. The kids are always way too excited on the first night of camping to go to sleep very quickly. My LEAST favorite part of the trip.

Our second day, we decided to try the Taylor Creek hike in Kolob Canyon. We felt it was a good decision to avoid the main canyon in Zion with the crowds and this was a hike we had wanted to try since we had read it was good for kids. We saw many frogs and lizards along the way. We loved crossing the creek over and over again stopping to build a dam and play in the water at various times.

Beautiful Zion - O how we love thee!

 The kids did great and enjoyed this trail.

 Though we could have continued farther, we decided to turn around at this cabin so that the kids would have plenty of energy to get back to the car. Our hike ended up being 2.4 miles this day.

 Taylor liked that the trail seemed to be named for her.

 Little Mermaid Reagan

 During our hike while taking a break a fellow hiker was nice enough to take a family shot for us.

 Reagan was all about using her hiking stick. A very important element to any hike with kids.

 Hiking up and out of the creek bed.

 After our hike, we stopped for a picnic lunch on the lawn at the church in La Verkin. Then because we needed a potty break, we stopped at a touristy place in Virgin to get some homemade ice cream and feed the animals in the tiny petting zoo some carrots.

 Then we made our way to Grafton. A favorite little ghost town of mine because they have done some restoring there and because my great, great, great, great grandfather is buried in the little cemetery there.We hadn't been there in our kids memories so this was all new to them. They were excited at the prospects of seeing a GHOST town.

 Back at camp that night, Eric built a fire pit so that we could roast some hot dogs and marshmallows.

Our third day we packed up to leave but took some time to visit Brigham's home and the Temple in St. George before going home.

Our day of rest.

 At the visitor center, we watched a movie about families.

We were happy to be home with our ward family to celebrate Memorial Day on Monday. It started with a pancake breakfast, went to a bike parade, and then to some water games. The best however, was at the end when a firetruck hosed all the kids down. Good times!

Programs, Concerts and Recitals

The month of May is becoming more and more packed with programs, concerts, and recitals as we find our kids involved in more and more things. I'm thankful for their opportunities to grow their talents and to have fun doing it! We don't even have pictures from Taylor's piano recital or her choir concert. This year we had 3 little dancers to watch as Lyndsee started her first year in baby ballet. She was adorable to watch as she tip-toed out onto the stage with her dress in her hands.

Reagan showed us some hip-hop action.

Taylor took on two dance classes in the last 6 weeks of the year giving her lots of dance numbers to participate in. She did great!

With their dance teacher Kim Brown who lives just a street over from us. Loved having my girls work with her this year. Looking forward to next year!

Eric also showed off his dance moves on the stage that night.

Taylor dancing with the big girls.

Lyndsee and Reagan prior to showtime.

Taylor

Reagan

We got to watch the 2nd graders in a musical program one night that was so cute.

Will with his 2nd grade teacher Miss Treadaway.

Will also graduated from a three year program of "Let's Play Music". I love this program and he did most of the time as well. He was able to compose a piece of music and play it for everyone in a recital. I look forward to seeing him grow this talent. I have not had much problem getting him to practice piano so if I can keep that good habit going with him, he will be doing so well on the piano 5 years from now.