We got to the house just in time to dump Jim, Andrew, V and the luggage off so Ally and I could race up to Tuacahn to see Mary Poppins. We got there just in time to take a few pictures
grab some drinks and get to our seats right as the play started. I have to say I LOVED this play!!! I loved watching it with Ally, listening to her singing the songs, and her excitement for everything. Jim and I went and saw Mary Poppins a few years ago on Broadway and I liked this one bettter than the one in New York. The acting was amazing. I loved that they brought out real horses, drove a real car on stage and could light off fireworks, all things you can't do during an indoor version of a play. We really enjoyed the show even though we were really tired by the time it ended. The best part of the night is that I didn't get lost once, even driving back to the house at midnight. If you know me, you know that's a big deal. Thank goodness for GPS on my phone.
The next morning Jim and Andrew got up at the crack of dawn (literally) to go golfing so after the girls and I slept in for a bit we got up and hit up the Wally World (Walmart) for some necessities. The second we walked in the door the girls ran for their swim suits and jumped in the pool. We spent pretty much the rest of the day there playing in and by the pool.
Jim and the boys did some four-wheeler and motorcycle riding
We then had a barbeque there at the house and started a movie. Some of us (most of us) were tired and crashed early.
Even I was asleep by 9:30 that night. It's amazing how tired you are after a day of fun in the sun.
The next day was Sunday. We didn't pack any church clothes (yep, bad mom) so we hung out at the house while Jeremy's family went to church. When they came back we had some lunch and headed off for a hike. We decided that since we wouldn't be in the pool on Sunday it would be best to get the kids out of the house instead of fighting with them all day because I know where my kids would want to be. We went a little north of St. George to Red Cliffs. It was a beautiful place! The kids just took off.
They were all enjoying the hike
They all loved the horse tree
V loved the tree even though her face doesn't look like she does, she didn't want a picture taken. She's definitely her mother's daughter.
Everybody was having tons of fun until we came to this
This picture doesn't quite show what it was but there are foot holds and hand holds carved into the mountain and a rope to hold on to. Basically you are rock climbing this rock with water below you. Ally saw this and panicked. I'll be honest, I panicked too. I told Jim that I would stay back with Ally and they could all go ahead and enjoy the rest of the hike. Everyone talked to Ally and tried convincing her to push on. Jim took Vanessa and went ahead. He stood at the top and Jeremy was right behind Ally and she started up the mountain. My first thought was how proud I was of my little girl. She was facing a fear and she was doing great!! Immediately my next thought was, "crap! Now I have no excuse to not go. I have to face my fear and be as tough as my 8 year old and climb this mountain." I did it! It really wasn't as scary once I started but I was nervous. I was proud of myself for facing my fear. We went a little further up and decided it would be best for us to stop cuz the next part was angled, really slippery rock.
It didn't stop our mountain goat Andrew though.
He took off and just kept climbing. Jeremy and a couple of his kids followed and they went a little further up the canyon. We stayed back and the kids climbed up the other side of the rocks.
You can't see her because she was hiding from the picture again, but V was up there too. Jim climbed up to help her down but she was having none of it, she wanted to do it all herself. He walked in front of her really slow so if she slipped he'd catch her.
I love this man! He is such an amazing Dad with such patience. He makes me aspire to be a better Mom.
We hung out and played on the rocks some more and then decided we were all too hot and needed to head back. Back meant climbing down that mountain we had to climb up.
I LOVE this pick up Al. I can see her trying to psych herself back up to go down. Didn't work.
I don't love this picture because I can see her fear. Her amazing Dad saw it too and came back to help her out.
After lowering V down
he came back and guided her every step of the way
Just when I thought I couldn't love him anymore than I do.
It was a lot scarier going down. Ally cried the whole way but she did it. I was once again so proud of her! I told her that she needs to realize that she can do hard things and every time she faces something hard or that scares her she needs to think of that hike and know that she can do hard things! She was amazing!
After all that emotion we needed to take a break to rehydrate (oh and wait for the others who went further down the canyon)
Then it was time to head back to the cars but not 'til we gathered some mud
One more stop at the horse tree
And a picture of the elephant tree
It was a really fun hike that taught us all a lot about ourselves and about the beautiful place we live. We are so blessed to live so close to such beautiful and amazing places.
We went back to the house and ate dinner and watched 'Pitch Perfect.' I have to admit, I really enjoyed that movie. I didn't think I would but it was really cute.
The next morning we woke up and the kids wanted to get right in the pool. I got to go to lunch with a good friend who recently moved to St. George so I sat on the side and took pictures. There was a lot of jumping, flipping, diving and sliding.
It was a fantastic way to end a really fun weekend. After I got back from lunch we cleaned things up and loaded up the car to head home. On the drive home there was a lot of this
This means it was a successful weekend, right? It really was a great weekend spent together as a family. It is always so nice to get away from normal life and do things we don't always get to do at home, mainly spend time together without all the distractions. I'm so grateful we were able to get away together for this weekend. It was so much fun!
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