SPRING BREAK 2014: THE MOAB TALES

It wasn't long into the school year before Heidi and I realized that our children had the same week off for Spring Break. We knew we wanted to do something together and had spoken casually about going to Moab and visiting Arches. One day in March, I checked the available accommodations and there were suddenly slim pickens. We had to make the decision whether to go and we had to make it fast. So we booked a nice condo and started counting down the days.

As the weather was getting colder we started to worry, and as we had to drive through snow to get to our delightful escape we were even more bummed. However, even though the weather was too cold for swimming, it was absolutely perfect for hiking through beautiful Arches National Park. It was so fun to show the Gummows one of my favorite spots in the world. 

We started off visiting Windows Arches and then Double Arch. Both lovely. While exploring the South Window, the kids found the teeniest, tiniest little arch. It was adorable. Right from the get-go, everyone was enjoying climbing all over the rocks and under the arches. I wonder if there will come a time when you will no longer be able to climb on them like you can now. Also Stella was reunited with the fun red sand, and Wyn loved to play in it too.

Next was Sand Dune and Broken Arch. Stella was thrilled to visit the rock that she had named "Turtle Rock" one and a half years ago.

Our next stop was to have a little picnic. It was pretty delicious to have peanut butter and jelly because we were all pretty hungry. We were also getting a bit tuckered out, but everyone was up for one last long walk to Landscape Arch. When we got there, both Stella and Wyn were pretty tired, so Craig took the bigger boys further along the trail while we rested. I gave Stella the camera to play with and she went to town. It was hilarious. She was taking pictures of us and then people on the trail who were all charmed by being her subjects. Pretty soon the fun had to end though because we had to head back, and after a few side trips for a few more arches, that was the end of our first day in the park.

 End of "Stella Shoots: Part One"

 Catcher took these two of Stella:

Our second day the plan was to climb up to Delicate Arch, and we did. I had the kids pose for a picture pointing out where we were hiking up to. It seemed so far, but it felt like we popped right up there. It was pretty busy, and I was surprised how many kids were making the hike. When we took Stella the first time she was the only little one walking up, but definitely not this time. Delicate Arch was just as amazing to me now as it was the first time. It is like the coolest rock ever. See if you can spot a few times that Stella got her hands on the camera again.

We were pretty pooped, but we took a few minutes to walk around Balanced Rock. Stella also took some more pictures.

When we got home, Stella took the camera out to the court to take some pictures of the boys playing basketball. She took maybe 100 pictures, and I like almost all of them. I think she is a good little photographer. I also nabbed a few of my kiddo playing on the swings.

The next morning we got up and checked out of the condo. We went to Arches one last time to visit Park Avenue. You drive by it in your car when you go into the park, but I was amazed at how beautiful it is when you get out and walk. You are up at the top of the canyon and as you head down and along the trail it is just really something. When we could see the formation called The Three Gossips, I had Stella, Wyn, and Catcher pose as the gossips. I love Wyn's face--I am not sure he knows what a gossip is, but he played the part perfectly.

Soon we were back on the road and headed home. We had a really fun time. I am so glad we went. I am super tempted to buy me a place in Moab. If there was better shopping I seriously would ASAP. 

COUSIN TIME

Valerie, Nellie, and Charlotte stayed with us for a long time during and after Kathy's wedding. And it is crazy that I don't have more pictures of the girls together. I think it was because I was so pictured and evented out from the wedding that I just never got my camera out. I think I took this one the morning they were leaving. They all loved to watch movies together, and they looked so adorable all snuggled up on the couch.

Stella loved having her cousins here. She was especially charmed by Charlotte because she is still baby-ish but old enough to entertain. Stella kept saying "I just love Charlotte and her cute little face." She loved to make Charlotte laugh, and giggle by tickling her under her chin. It is crazy to think of how much we fit in while they were here--we really packed in the time.

My favorite story about Nellie is that one morning very early she said goodbye to her mom and dad in the basement, casually walked upstairs, and then LOCKED them down there so that she could come upstairs to play with the LEGOs. She knew she wasn't allowed to come upstairs that early, and I thought it was pretty smart of her to outwit her parents like that. John had to break out of the basement window and open the garage to get her. I didn't think it was funny at the time since she woke me and Stella up at the crack of dawn, but I seriously love the story now. She is a smarty pants, that girl.

A highlight for sure from the visit was when Valerie and I went and did a session at the Salt Lake Temple. Kathy's wedding was the first time she had been there and she loved seeing the inside, so I said that we should go do a session. Grandpa Sallay came over to watch the girls, but since he showed up late, I had to blast my little car downtown, park super fast, run across the street, and change clothes lighting quick in order to make the session with only like 30 seconds to spare. Salt Lake only does sessions every hour so we were glad to make it when we did. It was really nice to share that together and to do something special just me and Valerie.

THE SHADOW PRINCE

The Sallays are super proud of our little Bree Despain and her wonderful books. We are all big fans. When my copies of her new release arrived in the mail, I was super touched to find that Bree had thanked us in the back of her book. Both Brent and I did help her with some of the musical references that you find in the book, but I assume that she mostly thanked us because we are so awesome. When I showed Stella, she was especially sad though because she had not been mentioned in the book. Thankfully, she was lucky enough to win a raffled prize at Bree's book launch at The King's English on Saturday, March 15th, and that made up 100% for her disappointment.

We were excited to go and support Bree. There was a good turnout and it was fun to see her family there that day. Brent and I were soon able to get to reading the actual book. And it was great, really smart, and just oozed talent. She has come a long way since her first book, and I couldn't stop thinking about the characters and world she created while I was reading The Shadow Prince. I feel so lucky to have Bree in my life, and I'm always impressed with all that she has accomplished.

NEWBORN FINN

The Tuesday after Finn was born and right after he officially had the name Finn Brennan Booker, I went to the hospital to take some pictures of the new baby with his mom and dad. It was fun to take pictures of a little face I love so much.