Cedar City Trip

We are in front of a bristlecone pine, which can grow to be thousands of years old!

This year was our 4th annual trip with my side of the family. We have gone to few different locations, and this year we decided to go to Cedar City. We rented out a cabin with lots of bedrooms and TONS of amenities, and we had lots of fun attending plays at the Shakespeare festival and hiking in places nearby. Mostly it was fun to hang out as a family.

Lots of my family (not everyone)

Jared holding hands with his cute cousin

Alan and the Magster on a hike

We went to Mammoth Cave, which was pretty awesome

More of Jared's Bday and Neola

Jared's real birthday was sandwiched in between two family trips, so we had to try and cram celebrations in where we could. We had a quick celebration with Alan's family on our trip to Neola and then we had my parents over for dinner on Jared's real birthday.

We have gone to Neola three years in a row now with Alan's family and have loved the tradition. This year I think the highlight was swimming in a lake near Vernal. But it was tons of fun to just hang out and eat good food with the family. Thanks, Lani and Steve, for letting us stay in such an awesome place!

The three Stout hearted cousins with Uncle Spencer in Neola

Jared and Uncle Beef in Neola

Grandma and Papa, plus Jared's favorite dinner: rigatoni noodles

Happy 4-year-old!

One of Jared's favorite things to do lately is to play restaurant. I have all the play food from when I was little, and recently my sister-in-law gave us this cute used kitchen set that she no longer needed. I was going to save them for Maggie for when she was older, but since Jared is totally into pretending right now, I decided to give them to him for his birthday now. Jared LOVES playing with them.

Jared's presents. Maggie's looking a little jealous, I think. Or maybe just tired. :)

Bear Lake

Jared and some of my nieces and nephews testing the waters at Bear Lake

Recently we returned from our 3rd annual family reunion on my side of the family. Three summers ago we stayed in a big cabin in West Yellowstone, and last year we stayed in the beautiful home where my sister-in-law grew up in Idaho, not far from Bear Lake. This year we decided to repeat the Idaho location since Maggie was such a tiny baby and my sister-in-law is due in a month with her baby. We had tons of fun (other than the sore throats that went around!) and spent lots of good time together as a family. I wish I had a picture of the whole gang! I can't wait to do it again next summer!

Alan and my brothers and bro-in-law dunking the picnic tables at the beach to get rid of the spiders

Alan and my brothers and my dad on the beach. This picture is missing my brother-in-law.

My mom and I at the entrance of the Paris Ice Cave

Jared and my dad are hiking buddies on the way to Bloomington Lake

On the way to Bloomington Lake

Jared and Alan at Bloomington Lake. It was still frozen!

Me, my mom, Mags, Jared, and my niece Christina taking a rest

Arches!

We just got back from a 3-day camping trip to Arches National Park with one of my brothers and his family of five children. It was our first time taking Jared camping. Wow! I have a lot of admiration for families who take their little kids camping often!! It is tough! Jared woke up one morning around 5:15, and I could not for the life of me convince him that it was still dark outside and everyone was still asleep.

Some of the gang on a lunch stop

These are the remains of Wall Arch, which collapsed just over a year ago. I shed a tear or two as we passed.

Um, I don't remember taking this picture. I must have been trying to get some more shut-eye while the boys took the kids on a morning hike. Is this Skyline Arch???

Yes, I am wearing a maroon hat with a red shirt. Sue me.

My two boys in front of Landscape Arch

Skull Arch in the Fiery Furnace

In front of Kissing Turtles Arch in the Fiery Furnace
(the arch is right in the middle of the picture, but kind of hard to see for Arches amateurs)

My good little hikers--at the Windows section

Eating lunch at Partition Arch in Devils Garden

All tuckered out!

Jared was too big for a hiking backpack, but too little to do much walking. He spent a lot of time either on Alan's shoulders or in my arms. He fell asleep in my arms for about a half hour while I was carrying him on our hike in Devils Garden! I have no idea how he could do that with all that bouncing.

It was lots of fun! We can't wait to do it again sometime.

Bear Lake

Last week we got back from a vacation to Paris, Idaho, the little town where my sister-in-law grew up. We went up some canyons, visited Minnetonka Cave, toured the Paris Tabernacle, and spent a day at Bear Lake. It was a perfect getaway for our family.

Jared and Grandma venture into the lake

Jared and his cousin

The entire clan at Minnetonka Cave (well, we are actually missing two)

Inside the cave

Jared "playing" Bingo with his cousins. He kept saying "I love Bingo!" although he really had no idea.

Yellowstone!

Midway Geyser Basin
This is actually only about half of our entire group!

We just got back from a wonderful vacation with my (Jenny's) entire family to Yellowstone! We stayed in a spacious cabin and spent several wonderful days in the Park. To avoid a lengthy travel log, I will just share some of the highlights with a few pictures.

Old Faithful

Artist Point at Lower Falls

Cool picture taken by Alan at Upper Falls

Grand Prismatic Pool at Midway Geyser Basin
This was my favorite place! Can you see the rainbow?

One evening we celebrated my dad's retirement from work.
We are so excited for him!

Walking around at Old Faithful Geyser Basin

Morning Glory Pool

Hayden Valley

Tukered out on the ride home.
Jared was an angel for most of the trip!