Navajo Lake, June 15

Apparently Navajo Lake is only 30 minutes from our house. We buzzed on up there this afternoon to enjoy the scenery... and to watch Emery enjoy the freezing cold water. She LOVED it! I love how kids aren't put off by things like freezing cold water as long as they are having fun.

in up to her waist...burrr...

just swinging around

beautiful

Black Rocks, St. George, June 13 - a.k.a. Save the Tortoises

After having some minor delays because of rain, we arrived in Black Rocks just out of St. George on Saturday morning. Short, easy hike, pretty good landing areas - it seemed like a dream come true. And then it wasn't. It was closed until June 30 and it had a phone number to call for more information. The "more information" was that apparently Black Rocks canyon is a desert tortoise migration path and you can't climb there until their done migrating. Who can argue with that? Save the tortoises!

On a happy note... on our short hike there, I was able to teach Emery a new name for ginormous red fire ants - "yuck". Then she squished some with a rock and I didn't even teach her to do it. Ha. She still likes other bugs, but at least she won't get bitten by ants now. :)

Here's Em doing some serious climbing with dad in Pioneer Park in St. George. Since our climbing plan died, we went to the temple and hung out with our friends the Williams' instead. It was great to see them and we had so much fun! The friends they were there with even let us crash their party. The girls cooked dinner and played with babies while the boys bouldered around Pioneer Park. It was fun to remember that we actually have friends.... :) See our family blog for more pics.

Climbing in Red Rock, June 6

It's always a fun thought to have a climbing day without Emery (because we actually get to climb - ha), but it's amazing how much I always wish she was there. I think about how much she'd love climbing on the rocks, throwing them, exploring and chasing lizards the whole time we're gone. Nonetheless it was fun to actually get some climbing in. Thanks Grandpa, Abe (the coolest 5 year old climbing companion ever) and Van for coming with us!

Aaron trying to convince Abe that climbing is fun

Abe trying to look convinced

Abe on his leash so he didn't fall off any cliffs while we were climbing

does this need a caption? ha.