Smith family boys campout

 One of the things that brought us back to Utah was the thought of fun family times that we could have with all our family around in one place.  We missed FHE nights and parties when we lived out of state so much!  Since we've been back we've tried to plan some fun activities to get everyone together.  We've had a couple girls retreats and the last boys shooting trip was a below zero afternoon, so this year Dave planned an over nighter in warmer weather.  The boys went to Mud Creek (near Strawberry Reservoir) and had their campout and shooting outing.  They had so much fun that there are only 4 photos of the trip!  Everyone reported having a great time and some are already talking about next year...so...it's on...a new tradition for the boys!  Yeah!

My baby boy is 12??

 

Time really does fly by with this boy.  My third, my final boy...Evan!  What can you say about Evan?  He is a very thoughtful, creative, imaginary, intense, competitive, kind, caring, gifted, athletic, and smart boy.  He came into this family in the third boy spot and has fought his way into everyone's heart with determination and kindness.  He loves to cook and serve his creations to those he loves.  He shares very well and works hard for what he gets.  He is so very smart and things comes easily for him and still he works hard each day to be better.  Determined and intense describe this kid!!

His birthday was a little different this year as he was headed out of town for a boys family shooting campout.  I actually didn't see him at all on his real birthday, but the day before he left we spoiled him with a cell phone (now I can find him!!) and his first shotgun!  The boy loved both and next weekend we are going to have a birthday party at the local trampoline park....what a great time!

Next week, or the following, Evan will receive the Aaronic priesthood and be able to serve as a deacon at church.  He has prepared himself over the years and is ready to take on this responsibility.  I couldn't be prouder and watching him grow up has been one great big adventure!  We love Evan!

JV Summit Soccer!

I realized it had been a long time since I'd taken photos of the older kids playing soccer.  Both Austin and Ethan play for high school now and I don't always make it to the games.   But I made it to Ethan's game last week and remembered to bring the camera and take some pictures.

 Ethan has played a couple different positions this year.  He's a true defender, but will also get up and attack when he gets the chance.  He scored a goal earlier this year!  They have a pretty good team and a great coach and are having a really good season.  It's a lot of work and requires a great time commitment, but it's a great group of kids and some great exercise too!

It's been fun to watch the team this year and both my boys playing the sport they love!

A different kind of egg hunt!

 This year we signed up Evan and McKinley for the Easter Egg Dive at the local recreational center.  They were excited to dive for Easter eggs and they were not disappointed. 

 There were hundreds of eggs floating in the pool and dozens with rocks in them that were on the bottom of the pool too!  There were 3 golden eggs that were for special prizes.  Evan got one but it floated out of his bag somewhere during the dive!  McKinley did a great job gathering up the eggs and diving for every last one she could see.  All in all it was a fun and different kind of egg hunt.

Spooky and Peek A Boo Canyon

 We had more days to explore the Escalante National Forrest area and more slot canyons.  We had to drive down a 26 mile dirt road to the trailhead for this hike.  Then we had to hike down to the wash floor.  We took a wrong turn somewhere and found ourselves on a cliffside trying to find our way down.  Austin and Evan took an adventurous way down which included a rope, but the rest of us kept looking for anther way down.

 Eventually we all got down and hiked through Spooky canyon.  This slot canyon was not near as spectacular as Antelope, but it was still neat.  It was a much longer canyon and we hiked about 1 hour through this one to the end of it.  We tried to find our way around to a nearby canyon, but we couldn't find a way through the cliffs and ended up running back through the canyon so we could get to the start of the other one.

 We were thinking about skipping another slot canyon, but we are SO glad we didn't.  Peek A Boo canyon was so different and really fun.  You started with a climb up to the opening of the canyon and from there you twisted through small spaces and climbed up boulders...the kids really loved this one.

All of the canyons were fun and it was a great adventure.  We had good weather, a little cold, but good for hiking!  It was good family time!

Hike with Dad

 From Antelpe Canyon and Page, Arizona we headed for Escalante Petrified Forrest Park.  We had a hook up for the trailor for two nights at this beautiful RV park.  It was nice to be able to stay put for 2 full days and explore this area.

 While Mom and Ethan took a rest the others took off for a hike with Dad.  They went through a petrified forrest valley and saw some really cool petrified wood.  It was also a great view of the resevoir and the canyons surrounding us.

We were set and ready for some exploring and family bonding time!

Gorgeous Antelope Canyon!!

 Our Spring Break trip this year was traveling up from Phoenix through various slot canyons.  Our first stop after leaving Phoenix was Antelope Canyon, near Page, Arizona.  Antelope Canyon is the most photographed slot canyon in the US and we know why...it is GORGEOUS!!

 The canyon is located on an Indian reservation and is only accessible by guided tour.  We knew it was going to be a spendy adventure, but we believed it would be worth it!  It was!!

 You start with a 10 minute open air jeep ride through the wash to the opening of the canyon.  We were the first tour of the day and we accompanied by 3 people from Lithuania and that was all.  We were really lucky as the canyon can be VERY busy and it's not very big.  We had a wonderful guide who helped us with our camera and even took some photos for us.

 The canyon is made by the flash floods that happen with rain storms up to 20 miles away.  In fact, that is one of the reasons the tours are now guided.  They have had some fatalities and near fatalities with people who are unaware of the danger of flash flooding.  Our guide told us a story of a rescue she helped with where she was really scared.

The colors and the smooth walls are amazing.  I do have to say that this is one place that the pictures really do turn out as good or better than what you see when you are sitting there.  It's just amazing!

As I mentioned, we were the first tour group in and we were virtually alone the whole way through the canyon to the other end.  Then on our way back through to the entrance we were met by 100+ Asian tourist coming into the chambers of the canyon.  We wouldn't have been able to get pictures without people in them if we had been 30 minutes later in the day.  We feel so lucky to have experienced the canyon with just the 8 of us!  Definitely a place to remember!