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.

Kolob Canyons, Middle Fork of Taylor Creek, May 25

Kolob canyon, a mini Zion, is about 25 minutes from our house. Rad. Our Wilkinson family (mom, dad, chelsey and amy) came to visit for memorial day and take advantage of the close hiking. We had a blast! Thanks for coming guys! We miss you all like crazy. On a side note - it was the best emery has ever done hiking in her back pack. She stayed in with minimal complaining for the whole 5 1/2 miles. The hike was BEAUTIFUL!!!

the sisters - nice face chels :)

adventure girl

bonding with grandpa by feeding him sand-covered fruit leather. mmm....

filthy girl... she's so cute when she's grimey

the whole crew at the Kolob Canyon lookout

Camping in Cedar Canyon Campground, May 15-16

Sad, but true - we haven't been camping since last September. And let's just say that didn't go very well. Emery was not digging the tent.

We decided to try, try again last night. This time she liked the tent and actually willingly hung out in it before bedtime. She had so much fun exploring the woods, eating Twizzlers and trying her darndest to get to the fire we were all trying to hard to keep her away from. She went to bed okay after only minor trauma, but unfortunately ended up in mom's sleeping bag. I think she got more sleep than mom did, which isn't saying much. We're looking for new ways to help Emery sleep well in the tent (and mom too). Other than the sleep part, it was great, though! It was fun to have our new friends, Brady and Tenya, come with us, too. It's good to have friends in a new place. sneaky little Twizzler thief

getting cozy in the tent

the camping crew

she was cold enough to want to cuddle. yeah!!!

cute family shot -these don't happen very often

this picture is so cute if you examine it close up. click for a bigger view. cute happy girl and her happy mom.

man moment. ha.

Dinner in Cedar Canyon, May 14

We decided to make dinner and take it up to Cedar Canyon Campground to eat. It was fun just enjoying the chilly outdoors together. Aaron, as usual, was tasting extra sweet and quite a few mosquitoes got him. Em and I escaped unscathed.

Playing in Cedar Canyon, May 13

We wanted to check out the "10 Mile Canyon" climbing area, but it was a yucky, muddy hike to super slopey climbing so after 100 yards or so we bailed out and went down to the river to let Emery play. She loves throwing rocks in the river. She would have been thrilled if we left her there all day with a 5 foot high pile of rocks for throwing. Soaking wet, filthy and happy. We got back in the car and Em took a nap while mom and dad explored a bit higher up in the canyon. BEAUTIFUL!!! (Pic is at the overlook, Zion is visible in the distance.)