We just concluded an awesome family vacation, and even though it's been a few years since anyone has posted on this blog, I thought I'd update because we had a great time!
This trip started unusually for us because Mike drove to St. George with all the big kids, and Nancy and Jonathan stayed behind so they could attend the baptism of a Mama friend who mentors with us in ALTUS.
Jonathan helped Nancy prep the house for house sitters for the very first time. We were nervous about how Kylo and Wren were going to take our absence,
but they loved the Christensens!
After the baptism we got a ride to the airport and Jonathan enjoyed his very first flight!! Tucson to Denver, where we had an hour layover and he just ran loops on the escalator sidewalks, and then Denver to SLC.
Here's Jonathan's airplane shirt! :DWe enjoyed church on Sunday, and Monday we went to see the Lewis family in Daybreak. We had a picnic, got frozen custard, and played at two of the incredible community parks nearby. Badminton, frisbee, creek play, playground (that ripped up Ammon's shorts) and playing at Angie's parent's house. 
Wednesday, June 23rd, was Nancy and Michael's 14th Anniversary and they celebrated simply (as they both prefer) with a PB&J picnic completing a loop of hikes to several lakes around Brighton.
Tuesday, Ama took the kids to Thanksgiving Point where we got Explorer Passes, so we enjoyed Ashton Gardens (Jonathan loved the Waterfall Gardens), the Museum of Curiosity (Ammon challenged himself with the ropes course for the first time), the Natural History Museum (dinosaurs rule!), and Farmland (pony rides!) A good time was had by all, and all returned utterly exhausted. 
Bee in Ashton Gardens... should have gotten pictures of the statues of Christ. Those were fantastic. But Jonathan made me hold him nearly the entire day, and I forgot the Ergobaby wrap, so my arms were seldom free for pictures. I bet Ama has some good ones from throughout the day.
Bee in Ashton Gardens... should have gotten pictures of the statues of Christ. Those were fantastic. But Jonathan made me hold him nearly the entire day, and I forgot the Ergobaby wrap, so my arms were seldom free for pictures. I bet Ama has some good ones from throughout the day.
Thursday, the 24th, we lovingly said goodbye to one of the best four-legged companions anyone could have ever hoped for, Dr. Suzu's sweet Durango. I don't have pictures of him older, but here's a throw-back family photo from when he was practically a pup. We love you and miss you, Durango!
Sunday, June 27th, we drove to Olympic National Park and stayed at Heart O'the Hills Campground. The next morning we hiked Hurricane Ridge and that afternoon enjoyed swimming at Crescent Lake on the way to our next campground at Sol Duc Hot Springs.
Rialto Beach
A little Twilight Nerdiness...
June 29th we hiked in the Hoh Rainforest, Hall of Mosses with some of the Brights (poor Lincoln was ill, so Ben stayed with him), and after lunch Tucson Praters and Grandparents hiked the Spruce Nature Trail as well.
Nancy took the kids back to Rialto Beach in the afternoon with the Brights (Mike napped at the campsite). We were trying to reach Hole-in-the-Rock, but high tide prevented us from getting there. But we hiked nearly 3 miles of the coast trying!!
Pelicans in flight.
Driftwood fort building with cousins.
Isaac knows how to catch the best ride. :)
On Thursday, we all parted way with the Tucson Praters taking Papa Moon with them to Broken Arrow Campground at Diamond Lake so we could tour Crater Lake on July 2nd. Ama and Dr. Suzu visited Ruby Beach and saw the Tree of Life on their way to Idaho, and the Brights hit the Hoh Rainforest for Ben and Lincoln on their way home.
Tuesday, June 28th we hiked Sol Duc Falls, and drove to Forks Washington where we looked for Vampires and explored a bit of Rialto Beach before Lily tried to get washed out to sea.
Pelicans in flight.
Here are our pictures of Crater Lake from the East Rim Drive.
There's pine pollen on the water below.
Ammon with the Phantom Ship in the background.
This little girl loved to walk and talk with her Papa Moon. This is on the trail to Plaikni Falls.
Vidae Falls were right off the road. No hike needed!
These volcanic tuffs, which are named "The Pinnacles" at Crater Lake were visible from the Godfrey Glen Trail, which we took after visiting Mazama Village, where Lily used her hard-earned "Button Money" to buy a ginormous Red-White-and Blue Popsicle (not pictured).
Tiny glimpse of Duwee Falls from the Godfrey Glen Trail.
Everyone but Mike and Nancy were exhausted, so they jogged the Castle Crest Wildflower trail, which was delightful as a spring ran right through it, and we had to traverse stepping stones to get across. We loved spotting frog, and the vast variety of wildflowers!
Some final pictures of Crater Lake from the Watchman viewpoint on the West side... Great views of Wizard Island!
That log below, floating in the lake, has been there for YEARS, and is nick-named "The Old Man" I think. Scientists supposedly tried to anchor it for awhile when conducting research, but a huge storm blew in interrupting the study. When they finally released the "Old Man" the storm ceased. Spooooooky... ;-)
From Crater Lake we drove to Chico California where we had an awesome time swimming with the Birches, enjoying the most delicious Steak dinner the Tucson Praters have had in years, celebrating Savannah's 17th Birthday a little early with cake and ice cream, and on Sunday, we were able to be there for Sam's Ordination in the Holy Priesthood as a Deacon. I hope that Sarah can post some pictures of that, because my camera was put away for swimming. It was a wonderful trip! We drove Papa Moon home to Salt Lake Sunday night where he discovered his wallet and phone had been accidentally left in the church bathroom at Chico (but they were turned in to the Bishop, so Jeff was able to get them back to Papa when he brought his Dad, Papa Kenney, back to Utah). The Tucson Praters over-nighted in Salt Lake and drove home on Monday so Mike could be present for several meetings he had lined up for Tuesday morning. Good Times!!
