For Labor Day weekend, we borrowed Justin's aunt motorhome and drove it to Strawberry to join Justin's parents and brother. This was kind of a test run for a dream I have of an ultimate cross-country road trip in a motorhome. The feedback was a resounding no from the little Dyes. They did not like sitting belted around the table for even one hour. But I'm not giving up on my dream yet. There has to be better seating configurations in other motorhomes out there.
I don't remember why I took this picture but I'm glad I did.
The kids took to building a fort with tarps and rope up in the trees. It kept them occupied forever.
"Mom take my picture."
This is how James photobombs and I love it.
The marshmallows we roasted were crazy huge. We roasted smores and toastites both nights. We also went out on the boat and the kids had so much fun tubing. The only other time we were out on the boat this summer ended after 5 minutes so this was a much better to end the boating season. It's weird I didn't take any pictures while on the boat.
We left Sunday morning and went to church and had a quiet Sunday. Monday, Labor Day, was spent doing chores around the house. That evening we went to a splashpad and then took the kids out to Chinese food and sushi just to make them try new food and to practice their dinner manners.
Egg drop soup and cheese wontons were a hit. The sushi rolls, not so much.
Then Erica did her treat night. She wanted to decorate cupcakes. No one has had more fun decorating cupcakes than Erica.
The following Wednesday was Henry's first flag football game. He played the all-girl team in the league. Besides all being a head taller than the boys, these girls were fast. I was sad that Henry's team lost but it was pretty cool to see girls do so well at a boys' game.
Then Thursday we left again for another camping trip. This time with my family in Kodachrome. We took a scenic route and stopped for lunch in Salina at the Hot Spot. I love eating at these out of the way places.
From there we drove to the next town of Aurora. This is the house my grandma grew up in. It was built in 1918 and she was born in 1926 so it was a pretty new house.
I've driven through Aurora before but never knew exactly where she lived until my sister Mary told me last week. It was fun to surprise her with this picture. "Guess where I am?"
Then we went to the cemetery where my great-uncle Anthony is buried.
And where my great-grandparents are buried. My great-grandma is named Mary Ellen.
Which is who Erica and I get our middle names. Erica Mary and Diana Ellen. I was a little bummed the Ellen part wasn't written out. So my g-grandma is Mary Ellen, my grandma is Mary Enid, my sister is Mary Lynn for those keeping track.
And then the kids started getting all bored and whiny and wrestly. Please tell me my kids aren't the only ones that lose it.
From here it was full-steam ahead to Panguitch. Beyond Panguitch is a short hike called Arches Trailhead. Going completely off of google reviews I made us stop. The hike isn't very long but it is full of cool stuff to look at.
These rocks looked like poked baked potatoes.
And then we rolled into Kodachrome State Park with just enough daylight to set up camp and ate dinner with my brother and his family, my nephew and his wife, and my parents.
Friday morning we went on the Angels Palace hike in the park. It is the most popular hike and I can see why. You climb up a bit and then up and around all these cool rock features and beautiful views.
Hey here we are.
Sarah and Justin made me so nervous walking out on this ridge thing. It was a steep drop-off on both sides. I ended up walking out to where Justin was and got so dizzy. Sheesh.
This is walking back down. I thought this part looked like somewhere in the middle east--even though I've never been there, just imagining.
Lunch back at camp.
That afternoon was so hot. Most of the crew took off to check out a slot canyon. From what they told me, google did not send them the right way and they were gone for 4 hours on a road they shouldn't have been on--a road no one should be on. One flat tire and damaged bumper later, they returned. They did find an abandoned camping trailer and this is a photo Justin took.
Meanwhile I was on a pleasant drive with my parents to go check out an arch 10 miles on a pleasant dirt road.
This is Grosvenor Arch.
My parents stayed at the parking lot so I had the place all to myself. No climbing kids, just me.
I was happy to see my dad still has these CDs 30 years later. Soundtrack of my childhood.
I have this CD. What does this mean???
This is a view on our way back to camp.
That evening Matt shared videos of the other group's adventures with my dad. It was pretty crazy.
Hand and Foot.
Saturday was my birthday. After breakfast we cleaned up camp and drove out to see Chimney Rock. My phone decided to stop working so it was a pretty bummer thing to happen on my birthday. We decided to take another different route home, this time to see Fish Lake which I had never been to before.
Then we drove home. We unloaded the truck, got cleaned up and then Justin and I went to Strap Tank for dinner and Zeppes for dessert.
Sunday we did more birthday things. Justin had meetings early that morning and left this note for the kids.
The kids made me breakfast. Cinnamon rolls brought by Nadine, eggs, raspberries and chocolate milk.
After church Justin made me dinner and then we had birthday cake. I wisely baked my cake and made my frosting before we left for camping so it was simple to frost that afternoon.
You know you're old when your kids light your candles.
And so begins my last year of my thirties.
Monday night after Henry's game, Justin took the kids to the store to get me some birthday treats. They sneakily came home and put them in gift bags. They each picked something out and I guessed what they were without looking, only feeling. I did pretty well!
Tuesday or day 4 of my birthday celebrations Sis Francis from the stake relief society presidency brought by a card and candy.
Wednesday or day 5 of celebrations my friends took me out for ice cream. My actual birthday was a weird birthday but kind of fun to spread the fun out.
