Moab

We took a family road trip to Moab and Arches National Park this week. Mommy had a conference for work, so our hotel and travel expenses were paid for. It was the perfect opportunity for a little family trip.

The drive is only about 3 hours, and the girls did great in the car. In fact, when we finally pulled into the driveway at home the last day of our trip, Bryn didn't want to get out of her carseat. She wanted to stay in the car and I had to convince her we could get out. Thank you awesome DVD player in the car. Saved our lives!

The girls loved every mintue of it - from eating an entire bowl of salsa each one night. . .

. . .to just spending time with each other. They were fantastic!

The first day we were there, mommy actually had to work. So daddy had the girls all day. He took them hiking to Double-O Arch. He started out with Bryn in the backpack, but she wanted to be big and just walk. Amazinly, she did really well. I think my kids were meant to be outside. Then he took them to a super-cool park. They loved it. The best part of it all, is that everyone was super tired by the end of the night. Everyone slept like babies. Good sleeping babies too. I feel more rested then I have in a very long time.





We swam every day with the girls. The hotel had a pool that was 1/2 indoors/1/2 outdoors, and it was heated. The girls would don their swimmies and goggles, and head out. They're both great "swimmers" for being 2 and 3. G is not afraid of anything, and will doggie paddle all around - even into the deep - all by herself (of course mommy and daddy are always right there). She'll also jump off of the side of the pool without anyone to catch her. She can float on her back too. She's so cute. Bryn loves to jump off of the edge too, but still needs someone to catch her.

Our hike on the second day was a shorter hike to Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch. It was only about 1.5 miles round-trip, and the girls had a blast. They love to run through the desert and climb all over the rocks.





On our last day there, we decided to hike Delicate Arch - its one of the iconic symbols of Utah. The hike is 3 miles round-trip, and although the park map lists it as a strenuous hike, it really isn't too bad. Without kids. With kids it did take us almost 2 hours. But they hiked about 3/4 of it themselves, and I was proud of my "hiker chicks".

Although it was in the 70s outside, it was so windy. The last part of the hike is a couple hundred yards along the edge of a clif - not a "you're definitely gonna die if you fall" kind of cliff - more of a "you're gonna get seriously hurt if you fall" kind of cliff. So, we were being extra cautious with the girls. As we came around the corner to where the arch is first visible, a huge gust of wind hit Ben, and almost knocked him off of the clif. The wind was crazy strong there. I think it would have blown one of the girls off of the cliff. Needless to say, we held them the entire time, and didn't venture any further. That is why our hair looks so awful in these pics.



Just a beautful shot of the scenery. I never get tired of the beauty. I know some people think its desolate and barren - but I LOVE it down there. Ben and I talked a lot about how we almost moved down there last year for my job. I'm so sad that we didn't - because I didn't want to leave.

Ok - off to get caught up on everyone else's blogs.