Still early in the season

So here it is mid February and we're itching to get out of the house. A. because we love to explore new places, and B. the kids had school off for presidents day, and who wants to be trapped in the house with two bored kids for the weekend? Not us, so my wise husband began researching some places of interest for a family getaway and came up with Red Rock. Everywhere else we would have liked to go, was inaccessible because of snow, so we packed up and headed for Nevada. All in all it was a great trip and everyone enjoyed themselves, we got to see my dad, explore a place unknown to us, brave a midnight downpour, and go to church as bums in a little chapel that looked like a mini temple. Not too bad for a weekend getaway.

Close to home

When we aren't doing big trips, we love to just play in our back yard. There is so much to do right here in Utah, and so camping as often as possible, exploring our immediate surroundings, overnighters, and 2-3 day road trips are what we love to do. Unlike most people, weather is seldom an issue that would keep us indoors. Winter camping takes some getting used to, but we have done it a couple times and have to say it's all right.
Creighton and Karac are still adjusting to the learning how to pack, carry, and set up all of your own stuff concept, but they are doing it, and are getting better and better at it! We are determined to get the gear part of camping down to a science so that as time goes on, our outings will become less of a production and more second nature to all.
Here are a few of the hikes, campouts, rivers rafted and other random outings we have done over the past year. And now that I have posted all of the past stuff we have done and gotten everyone up to date, I can go into much more detail about our trips and events that are going to unfold for 09. There are huge surprises in store for the year so stay tuned, you won't want to miss!

Summer trippin 2008

Here it is February however,I have to post all of the fun things we did last summer for those who didn't get to see photo's, hear about the trips exc... We did so many cool things and saw so many beautiful places in 2008! It's a mind blower because we took more trips in the span of less than a year, than a lot of people take in their whole lives. I realize how blessed we are for those opportunities, and how thankful I am for such a blessed life. Traveling is such a huge part of life and the more we do it, I feel it strengthens bonds spiritually with God, as a married couple, and as a family.
Mike and I went to Italy at the end of July, which was amazing. There was so much to see and do that it would have taken months, and we only had ten days. After returning from Italy, Mikes parents treated everyone to a week in Oceanside, where I got to finish meeting all of the brothers. The boys had a blast. After Oceanside, Mike went on his own adventure with his dad, and brothers Rick, and Dave on a 10 day bike ride from Teluride Co. to Moab Ut. I was grateful to sit out on that one and just get settled in to life on the hill.
In December we took the boys to Hawaii for Christmas. We had sooo much fun watching the pipe masters comp., playing in the ocean, chillin with Dan and Jonna, and watching mother nature unleash on Laie Hawaii! Yup, we were there for the great flood of 08. Everyone survived, unfortunately there was some destruction.