Sjaanie and Jared family photos

Here's a sneak peek of this darling family (Sjaanie is John's cousin). I had so much fun with you guys!

Days Two and Three: Hole in the Rock and Calf Creek Falls

The next day was our most challenging day- the day to drive to Hole in the Rock. We drove more than 50 miles (each way) over very rough terrain that was a challenge for the 4-wheel drive cars. It was unimaginable that the pioneers navigated this land with wagons and horses. I understood why it took them several months to pass through it- they had to build a road and then the going was still very rough.

Throughout this day, it was a big struggle to keep Charlie happy. He was hot and uncomfortable and he hated being roughly jostled over the rocky road. About 2/3 of the way there he was so upset that he vomited. It took us 3 hours to reach Hole-in-the-Rock and when we arrived, it was windy, sandy, hot and there were cacti everywhere. Not exactly the best environment to have a toddler. We ate a picnic lunch and then it was time to make the hike down through the actual Hole in the Rock. The trail down was much too dangerous to take James and Charlie, so after lunch Sue, John and I stayed in the car with snacks and the iPad full of movies with the babies. Chelsea and Rick came back quickly and we left early to get the babies home. I felt so bad pulling away without Sue (there wasn't enough room for her and the others weren't back yet from their hike). She told me that she had a wonderful experience while waiting- she climbed partway down into the Hole in the Rock where it was shady and protected from the wind and was able to contemplate the task completed by her ancestor, Ben Perkins.

me and Charlie at the Hole in the Rock (you can see Lake Powell down below)

Rick and Mark are standing near the holes that the pioneers drilled into the side of the cliff to hold poles perpendicular to the rock which they then built a road on. Chelsea is standing on the ridge that they carved into the rock which served as the other side of the road. Gnarly stuff to be taking wagons down!

Oh, did I mention this part? Earlier that morning in our haste to get on the road, I handed John what I thought was a vial with his morning medicine. After he had taken two pills (the normal dose of his daytime meds), he looked at the bottle in his hand. "Uh-oh", he said. He had just taken a DOUBLE dose of his sleeping pills by accident. He was pretty much semi-conscious the whole day but gamely traveled along with us, anyway.

my two exhausted boys

Another 3 hours back over rough roads with increasingly agitated babies was somehow completed and finally we pulled into the campsite at about 8 pm, about 12 hours after we had left.

If I had known what the day's journey entailed, I would not have taken Charlie with us. It was very rigorous. However, everyone kept a positive, helpful attitude most of the day and we survived it. And I couldn't help but think of the pioneer company- they had young children and infants with them on their journey. They had several accidents involving wagons tipping over with children inside, but none of them were injured. I felt a real connection to them because of our experience, however pale in comparison to theirs.

Dance Hall Rock, where Ben Perkins danced a jig

The next day (is anyone still reading this?) we hiked Lower Calf Creek falls which is a sandy, easy trail that follows Calf Creek. Another nap for Charlie in the backpack and then we hit the road to go home. Charlie didn't nap at all on the drive home, but was entertained by watching The Backyardigans and Baby Signing Time on the iPad. (The iPad was a last minute purchase before we left for the trip and it was worth every dime- it worked as a great portable movie player).

This trip (taken in May) was a good preparation for me and John to go on Pioneer Trek later this week! Wish us luck!

Family Camping Trip: Day One, Bryce Canyon

John's family goes camping every summer and this year, we attempted something pretty ambitious. As a family, we read Undaunted by Gerald Lund which retells the story of the Hole-in-the-Rock pioneers. These faithful Latter-Day Saints were barely one generation removed from crossing the plains to Utah and were asked to settle a harsh, isolated part of Utah to serve as a buffer between the Southern Utah settlements and the outlaws, cattle thieves and hostile Indians of the area.

The book was amazing and touching and especially poignant considering one of John's ancestors, Ben Perkins, was a part of the company. He was a Welsh miner and he used his knowledge of blasting and gunpowder to blast a path in the solid rock for them to traverse.

This trip was the first long road trip and camping trip for Charlie (and James). I was anticipating some rough moments with two one-year-olds, but they really were troupers and held up remarkably well.

Charlie's a little tired after all morning in the car

Checking stuff out at a pit stop in Scipio

The first day we traveled caravan style to Bryce Canyon. It was my first time there and I was amazed at how beautiful it was! We had a picnic lunch then hiked from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point with Charlie in the backpack. John did most of the heavy lifting, with a break in the middle where Breea wanted to take a turn. He eventually fell asleep in the backpack and slept for about 20 minutes.

We camped in Escalante, some of us in adorably tiny cabins (including our little family) and the rest in tents. After a hastily prepared dinner of cowboy stew and a few s'mores around the fire, we headed to bed early.

Aunt Anne with Charlie and James at our campsite (thanks Mark and Chelsea for this pic and several others)

This is already quite long, so I will post days 2 and 3 tomorrow!

Welcome, Baby Elizabeth!

Have you heard the good news? About my adorable, lovable, absolutely squishable niece who was just born halfway across the world from me?

Introducing Miss Elizabeth, who happens to have one darling dimple in her cheek. I love her. And I wish I could hold her! I feel lax in my duties as her auntie! I'm so proud of my little sis, Catherine and her hubby, Richard. They are incredible parents!!

Charlie- 15 months

Charlie's gaining new skills all the time, so quickly that I am in awe of the human brain. He's making so many connections and growing so much every day.

He's mastered more signs and can now sign more, food, down, all done, outside, water and help.

He's getting a new phrase or word almost every day! His latest are "What is it?" and "Where is it?" He's also said, "Where's Dad?" and "Peekaboo!" This morning he said "spoon" and "bowl" and of course, he loves to say "broom" as he pushes around one of his many brooms.



He's finally weaned from the swaddle! He still needs a bottle to go to bed, but he's still a baby, so it doesn't bother me at all. He's started to get attached to blankies and likes to stroke them against his head when he's falling asleep. He's sleeping through the night about 6 nights out of 7, which is dreamy. He goes down around 7 pm and usually wakes up between 6:30 and 7:30 am.

He learned how to give high fives, which we love so much!

We went on a training Pioneer trek this weekend and left Charlie with Grandma T. It was my first time away from him and we both did great! (Good practice for the real trek in a couple of weeks!)

Going on a walk with Charlie and James. It was good training for pulling a handcart because these two together are HEAVY!

Happy Father's Day...

to these special guys...

Uncle Steve

Grandpa (also known as "Papa") Mark

Uncle Mark

Grandpa T

Uncle Richard, who became an official dad this week!

But to us, the most important guy of all, the Daddy of our lives is Johnny. There's no one else that Charlie and I would rather see walk through the door at the end of every day. We love you!

How Twilight Should Have Ended

This is pretty funny! via Mormon Mommy Wars

Charlie- 14 months

Charlie has continued to be so much fun! I love that he's walking now- it makes playing outside so much easier. The weather has continued to be very unpredictable (even by Utah standards) so we haven't spend as much time outside as we've liked. Charlie loves playing in the backyard, especially picking up rocks, which he loves to put in his mouth. We are teaching him to throw them instead, which I'm sure we will regret eventually!

Here's some other tidbits about our Che!

-He's growing out of his size 4 diapers and weighs 28 lbs and 8 oz.

-He likes to point to my eyes, nose and mouth- he's still working on pointing to his own.

-Charlie is learning about sharing and taking turns- he especially loves to practice with food. He thinks it is the funniest thing to feed me bites of his food.

Want some of my apple, Mom?

-He's a little champ at walking now and prefers it over crawling.

Practicing his walking in the backyard

-He's cut four new teeth bringing his grand total up to 8.

-He tries to talk more and often will mimic us. The other week in church he kept saying "Amen" after us. So darling. He now says "down" regularly, while pointing down. He has said some more two word sentences, including "Hi, Ma" (hi, mom) and "Hi, Da" (hi, dad). He's also said "Grandma" and "Grandpa", both in person and while looking at pictures of his grandparents.

Charlie showing off his new sign and word, "down"

-He survived his first camping trip in Escalante and road trip (lots of driving!) and was a little trouper. He even fell asleep in the backpack during two different hikes!

Charlie's first hike, Bryce Canyon, 2010

-He's been trying out some new summer foods- he loves watermelon, corn on the cob, strawberries, and zucchini

reading a book with Dad

Charlie couldn't resist getting into the shower with all of his clothes on

Charlie and Aunt Barb or as Sam and Lily call her, "Grandma Barbara"

Charlie and Grandma Sue

Charlie, we adore you and every day we find ourselves saying how lucky we are to have you!