We are MARSHALL: October 2013

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Hiking The Narrows at Zion National Park

On Wednesday, July 10th, we spent time in Zion National Park. Six of us hiked from the top to the bottom (16 miles) and the rest hiked up from the bottom, explored for a while and hiked back out. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.

Towards the beginning...

A narrow pass explored by cousins Jordan and Xander.

A narrow gap in the Narrows...

Looking up...

Xander giving this rock a karate chop...

A small and injured bat we found on the path and rescued to a more secure location so it wouldn't get stepped on...

Looking down the dry waterfall...

A break for snacks. (I didn't follow the "never wear a fanny pack" rule)

A waterfall...

Xander ready to take the plunge...

Video of his jump...

A "cave" Jordan found...

James brought the only camera (his iPhone) placed in a ziploc baggie. He said "it never got old" having to get the thing out of the back pack and then out of the plastic baggie for pictures.

This is such a beautiful hike and we enjoyed ourselves. For the longest time you try to stay out of the water and keep your feet dry. Finally after a few close calls, you just plow through the water. Then the trail turns to just river for a ways. It's like walking on greased bowling balls navigating all the boulders underneath the water. Boy were we GLAD to reach the bottom!

I was the first to finish and Stan was next. We didn't take time to snap a photo at the end with everyone because some needed to use the bathroom and since there are only so many times you can go "out on the trail" we hurried down the paved trail for the last mile so we could use a flushing toilet. Then it was a bus ride back to my dad who was waiting with the car at the entrance to Zion National Park. What an INCREDIBLE day!

Family Reunion in St. George

It had been a year and a half since we saw anyone in my family and way longer than that for us ALL to be together. It happened this summer in July (2013).

First we participated in some Highland Games...

They had to toss this stick and get it to make one full rotation in the air before landing upright and then falling over. The farthest distance won.

Next was a bean bag toss of some kind.

Up and over this bar...

Backwards of course...

There was also cup stacking.

And those who didn't want to participate.

These two cousins were all concerned about a little frog that had been stepped on and part of its innards squished out, but was still alive (for the time being).

Then it was time to try to get a photo with all 16 grandkids...

Everyone but Ella...

A lateral move to get Ella in the picture without her even knowing about it.

Tower building time with Sidnie fussing about participating. (This was on day one and all the cousins were still new to each other at this point after not seeing each other for 1 1/2 years.)

Success!

Down they go!

Not all the younger girls could even stand together happily for a photo.

But after having more time together that first day, we were able to get these...

We spent lots of time at the pool. Here is a shot of Spencer doing tricks with my brother...

Who knew this little princess would love catching frogs without even being scared? We found this huge toad coming outside of the pool one night. Sid was very excited. I helped her get it out of the bushes it quickly hopped into, but then she grabbed it and was not even scared. She had fun showing everyone. [Up until that point, we had only seen little tiny frogs jumping around at night.] I asked Sid this question: "Do you think if you kiss it, the frog will turn into a handsome prince?" She giggled and nodded her head YES!

Here her brother is trying to "help" her hold the toad, but she was doing just fine with it on her own.