"WHY DO WE CALL THIS FUN?"

We were able to get together as a whole family again this weekend. What a riot we had. We got the brainiac idea to go for a hike in Zion's National Park. Unfortunately so did too many other people. We were packed into the park shuttle like sardines. I had Madelyn on one side and Sydney on my lap. We were sitting in the very back with a view of the "bottoms" of the people standing in the aisle before our faces. Maddie turned to me and in a deadpan voice asked, "Why do we call this fun?" I started laughing. Only out of the mouth of babes!

We started our adventure on an unknown trail.

The Grotto sounded like the Little Mermaid, so we ventured off. We started up into the woods only to find the trail head back down to the bottom again. We laughed as we realized that we were following the road. Shuttles of people passed along the way. We could see something in the distance. Was that orange construction tape? A dumpster? Unisex restrooms? The next shuttle

stop? We all broke out laughing as we realized that we took a hike to the next shuttle stop! We loaded back onto a packed shuttle and headed down to the river trail. It was also packed, but beautiful. The kiddos had a riot.

Along the way was a very tame, fat squirrel. He was right on the trail begging for food. Sydney and Maddie had some acorns from the trail and gave them to him. He came right up and took them. They were having fun watching him run to hide them and come back for more.

Nannie couldn't resist the cute aprons and hats for the kiddos. They were excited to be mini chefs. Hayden had so much playing with the spatula the rest of the night. Who would have thought that would interest him? If I remember right, when Rachel was two years old she was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. Her response? A spatula! Must be something in the genes.

We celebrated Jake and Josh's birthdays. They are only a week apart so it gives us double the reason to celebrate. Since we weren't around for Ashley's birthday, we made her favorite cake. It was a double 12" cake and yes we finished it off before we left town! The joke is that Michelle has to marry someone with a birthday within the week of Josh's and Jake's brithday so he can be included with the boys. Any takers?

We had so much fun together doing what we do best...playing games and eating food. Rachel had everyone over for a Hawaiian BBQ. The kids went swimming and us adults played the candy bar game...a family favorite! We made homemade ice-cream and laughed our brains out. It was so much fun having Grandma Bear with us. She is the life of a party. For being 80+ she has a lot of spunk left in her. Just try to take her candy bar during the game and you will see what I mean! Ashley made an amazing Mexican fiesta the next day. Homemade salsa, chicken and beef tacos and spanish rice. It was YUM! Rachel and Ashley worked hard to make this a fun weekend. They were a big help since they know that I am in over my head with teaching school and going to school right now. They will never know how much I appreciate them. Now they are taking care of Mommie instead of the other way around. Thanks girls!!!

It is so hard to say goodbye to everyone and have to go back to regular life. We treasure the times that we can be together. Just wish it were more often. Why do we call this fun? Because we love being together and the goal is - forever.