Moab 2010

It's a long-running family tradition to hike ourselves silly on the slick rock in Moab each year. This year was no different. The first day we hiked to Delicate arch and my boys were in heaven in the dirt and wide-open spaces to climb on. We had a raven come very close to us and acted like it was waiting. When I cracked open my trail mix, we realized it was in fact waiting for a treat. I bet these guys are sad when the tourists stop coming each year. The kids thought that was really fun to see them come so close. The hike up was great, but due to our hereditary of bad knees, Dell and I laughed at ourselves walking backwards on the way down just to avoid PAIN! Luckily, a dip in the pool will take care of that! The boys loved the water slide and Nathan loved the baby part of the pool where he could touch. We kept hearing his giggles of pure joy from across the pool as he splashed and played. The adults loved the hot tub to relax away sore muscles. Our first day there was actually my birthday. What a fun way to spend your birthday, with your entire family! We ate dinner at Pasta Jay's and it was delicious. (Once we could get our snotty waiter to serve us!) Then we walked around looking at the shops on Main Street. My cute Grandma had baked a cake and brought it so I would have a cake with candles on my birthday. Who's Grandma is sweeter than that? I love her so much!!!

The next day we hiked to Landscape arch and my Grandma was a gazelle as she hiked along the trail. They are seriously the cutest grandparents ever. (Refer to photo above) We always think it's a great idea to take the primitive loop to Double O arch. It is quite the adventure! There were grown men that looked at the terrain and backed out of the hike while our little trooper kids hiked on! We had lunch and then hit the pool again afterwards. For dinner we went to Fiesta Mexicana. The service there was so great! (it was as if they were excited that we were visiting their establishment) I had to take 3 different kids to the bathroom during our dinner and after one of such visits I sat down by my parents and all of a sudden there was something on my head. Oh yes, a giant sombrero! Before I knew it a whole mariachi band was singing "Happy Birthday" to me. Then one man sets a churro with cream in front of me and spoons out some cream and begins feeding me. "So sweet", I thought until he put a big dollop of the cream on my nose! Everyone laughed and I guess now my picture will be on their "Hall of Shame", Er, I mean, "Hall of Fame". It was the most surprised I think I've ever been. I had no idea. The funny part was, they had came out once before, but I was in the bathroom. What a let down... "Uno, Dos, Trace.... Ohhhhh...."

The next day we graced a Moab ward with our presence and then went to a park and had lunch and played some SOFTBALL! We are planning on being on a family team for the big tournament. (post to soon follow) We needed practice. It was so much fun and I even got a pink mitt! It was such a fun vacation and is a great tradition, especially after some ibuprofen. Thanks so much Dad and Mom for everything and keeping our family so close!