Fall Break 2016: The St. George Edition

Fall Break, you blessed four day weekend when the state of Utah either flees to Yellowstone, Disneyland, or (as we found out this weekend) St. George. We haven't ever done a Fall Break trip but Christian's family had planned a trip to St. George and we were happy to tag along. 

I took this picture while driving on I-15 between Beaver and Cedar City. I wish
it had been able to capture the true beauty of that sunset. 

Thursday morning we headed to Zions National Park with Christian's dad. I hadn't been to Zions since I was about three so I don't count that as ever being there. I was excited to go as this was the last of the five National Parks in Utah that I hadn't been too. We got up early as the park is usually pretty busy and evening arriving just before nine we still had to wait in line but we did find a parking spot inside the park so that was good. 

Ready to set out on our adventure.

 Because James is in the 4th grade right now we get access to a great program set up by the Federal Government. Basically James gets in to all the National Lands free until August and as long as he is with us we get in free too, Thanks Obama!!!


Our first hike was the lovely Riverside hike leading to the Narrows. It was beautiful, paved, and chilly! The kids had fun though and enjoyed exploring all the fun and interesting bits of nature they could see.

The girls were really the only ones who would stop to take a picture for me. 

I am not one for selfies but the girls told me I had to prove I was on the trip too.
Here you go, photographic proof that I visited Zions.

They all decided that they would take a picture for me. 

 The kids had fun playing around at the entrance to the narrows. James even decided that he wants to hike it one day.

Abby was a trooper being hauled around in either the carrier or on Dad's shoulders. She was very happy to get out though and move around when we stopped. 

Laine decided that she wanted to hike to the lower Emerald pool by then it was warmer and we had fun, even if we were super tired. Everyone enjoyed the snack break.

We stopped by the museum on the way back to the car. The kids had fun exploring and finding out some interesting facts about Zions. Plus Christian and Abby snapped this picture.

We also went up to Checkerboard Mesa, it was fun to see all the different colors and we even got to see a heard of Mountain Sheep

On Friday we had a busy day that included a visit to a park, the Sand dunes, a movie, and swimming. 

Matt having fun at the Sand Dunes

On Saturday we went hiking at Dixie Rock. Matt was trying to be very brave and hike with Laine, Laine was a fabulous big sister helping him up and down some of the rock formations.

The kids enjoyed finding rock caves they could explore. 

We even found a Matt sized one

They were also great because they provided some shade

Abby tried riding on my back for this one. It was odd not being able to see her
but she was a trooper. 

We did some swimming that afternoon. It was a great way to cool off and have fun. Abby is a mermaid, she loves the water and Matt worked hard to get some swimming lessons from Dad, he then was happy to relax in the hot tub.

September fun

September is always a busy month in the Bradley household as we adjust back to the school schedule and piano lessons, and kung fu lessons. We also get out a bit more with the cooler temperatures, though there were a few weeks this month that I was pretty sure it was still summer time. We've spent Saturdays working in the garden and enjoying its produce while also prepping it for the winter. Here are a few snapshots of what we did this last month: 

Family Reunion

We attended a Bellamy family reunion. The kids had a lot of fun
climbing trees with their cousins, I actually had to call Laine on the phone
to find where they had gotten too. 

Greek Festival

After a two year absence we went to the Greek Festival with Grammy and Poppa
we enjoyed fabulous food and fun dancing.  The kids really enjoyed touring the church that their
great-great grandfather attended too!

State Fair

Our three middle kids participated in the Tractor Pull at the fair this year.
They each did very well with Matt pulling 50 lbs, Eve 175 lbs, and James 200 lbs.
James actually pulled more than everyone participating, I guess all that kung fu training is
working. 

I love the butter statue, each year it is the highlight
of my fair visit. This year there was a pokemon theme. 

I think the kids liked the fair rides the best, that our the delicious
fair food. 

Zoo Visit

The kids had a random day off in September, it was a bit cold
and rainy, so we did what anyone would do and
headed to the zoo. It was quiet and the kids enjoyed
having the animals to themselves.

The great Rhino picture, every time. James even stops and
poses for this picture. 

Abby decided to make friends with the
otter statue. 

She also got a ride on a carousel for the
first time

Dance Class

Christian went along with my crazy plan to take
a dance class. We go to a ballroom class every Thursday
with some friends, one of them snapped
this picture of us. It is a fun date night and great exercise!