National Parks: Part 3

...well, kind of.  Disneyland should probably qualify.  This whole trip was born from the desire I had to take my kids to Disneyland before we left - how much more "American" can you get?  So we spent 3 of our 9 days taking it all in.  A couple of observations:

1) They must do some serious psychological screening before they hire Disneyland employees.  We didn't meet one cranky employee...I was seriously impressed. If I had to deal with kids and parents in various stages of meltdown all day...well, let's just say I wouldn't be an ideal employee.

2) Disneyland really does live up to the hype.  All of the kids loved it - each in different ways but it was magical.

3) I am still afraid of roller-coasters.

4) Somehow Disneyland manages to simultaneously be one of the is most magical and most frustrating places I have ever been.  I loved it.

I thought Beti might be intimidated by the numerous large animals strolling through Disneyland but nope.  She loved it - and they loved  her too!

I included this pic because if you look closely you can see the look of terror on my face.  I just can't get over it.

Tal won't admit it - but this Captain Hook did a pretty good job of scaring him.

Our Fairy Godmother - she was amazing!

Definitely one of the highlights - meeting up with Tal's best bud Jonathon and his family - our trips coincidentally overlapped and we loved spending some time with them!

Tal and Naomi got chosen to do Jedi training - it was so much fun - they do an incredible job.  Should definitely be a must see if you're in Disney.

This Peter Pan was so funny!  And for some reason Tal loved him...maybe he relates to the whole lost boy concept :)

National Parks: Part 2

After squeezing in a little time with family we were off on part two of our summer adventure: a 9 day road trip to California!

The long road ahead...

That's right - those are bullet holes.

Lehman Caves in Great Basin - it's amazing.  It was badly damaged before it became a National Park and I can only imagine what it must have been like when first discovered.

The road into Death Valley.  It's a beautiful place.  So big.

Badwater Basin.  Dad's contribution was pointing out that they were walking on salt and encouraging them to taste it - they loved it...apparently unconcerned about how many people had stepped on it before them.

Joshua Tree.  A total surprise - I thought it would be a dud but it is incredible.  If you get an opportunity to go you should - it's otherworldly.

Joshua Tree was a total hit with the kids - miles of boulders and canyons to scale?  Until, Naomi fell on one of the prickly bushes - she did not handle it well :)

A Little Family Time

We had a quick week to spend in Orem with Grandma and Grandpa Draper.  It was great fun - but definitely too short.  We decided that a quick camping trip was in order so we headed off to Payson Lakes.  It was beautiful - but cold!  When the kids left Elisabeth floating in the middle of the lake I had to do a quick swim for her - brrrr...I have definitely softened into a warm water kind of girl.

Grandpa getting the Airstream ready.  This is authentic...old-school style.

Grandpa teaching the kids how to fish...

The boys waiting for their catch...which they were sure would come...

National Parks: Part 1

Part of our big move included Andy and Talmage driving a car full of junk stuff we couldn't live without and Wicket (our dog) to Utah. Some of the highlights:

• Packing literally every inch of a 13 year-old Accord to see if it could make it through a 1600 mile road trip...it did make it but it will never be the same.
• Somehow carving out a space big enough for Wicket to sit on top of...he was able to enlarge his space to include Andy's head and neck at times.
• Apparently a stay at two of the ickiest hotels in America.  Andy says that it is good I wasn't there - yes, I agree.
• Stopping at 4 National Parks.
• A little frustration about the amount of time spent taking pictures (I hear you)
• Lots of great conversations and quality time for the boys.

All in all, I think it was a great experience for the two of them - I hope all of my kids get a chance like this.

 Pooped out.  He was such a trooper - it was a long trip and he didn't complain about anything...except the picture taking.

 I'm not exactly sure what this picture is of...but if I had been there this is the look I would have been giving Andy when he pulled out his camera for another round :)

 If you look you can see Wicket wedged into the back seat - this is how we roll.

Love this pic of the two boys.