Easter 2018

I know Easter is far memory being that we're in JUNE currently, but I need to play catch up a bit so bear with me as I go back in time.

The girls after they hunted and found their baskets!

As you may already know, we have adopted a more plant based diet around these parts, which means my menus (especially traditional holiday meals) have changed some.  I'm still a lover of sweet breakfasts, so I found a recipe for blueberry muffins and then I made a tofu scramble with potatoes, which has quickly become one of our favorites around here!

After we had our fill of breakfast we loaded the car and headed south to St. George for a few days.

The weather could not have been better!

We spent our days hiking and swimming in the hotel pool...perfect!

A wonderful little getaway to kick off our Spring Break!

St. George Trip

A couple of weeks ago the girls had their fall break from school.  We decided to take that opportunity to soak in some sun in St. George.  It was quick trip, only three days, but it was so worth it!!

We stay in the same hotel pretty much every time we're there.  The main draw is their pool side rooms...it makes such a difference with a family to have access to your room poolside.  We'll pay extra for that luxury!

The kids swam every second they could!

 Haley had to take drastic measures to be able to look at her phone in the blinding sun.  Haha!

 We also spent some time at Snow Canyon State Park...one of our favorite places in Utah!

We've been going to this state park since Haley and Morgan were babies...and I have fond memories of going there as a kid too.  So, it's always so nostalgic...it seriously is one of my favorite places!

Snow Canyon State Park

After our failed trip to Capital Reef, the kids were so bummed.  We told them we would make it up to them...they would get their camping trip, we promised!!

 So this last weekend, we hit the road again.  Except this time we went to Snow Canyon State Park in St. George.  We only had a reservation for Sunday night. Saturday night was completely booked, however, they have walk-in sites available if you get there early enough.  Soooooo, again, we took a gamble.  We left early Saturday morning and just crossed our fingers that they had a walk-in site available for Saturday night. 

 We made it to Snow Canyon by lunch time, and low and behold they had a campsite available!!!

In fact, they had several!!  We even got to chose the one we wanted, haleluja!!

We picked one that we've camped in before...it's pretty much our favorite spot.  It's kinda secluded off the road, and it's right up against the rock.  The kids can climb all over (not too high though...the ranger got after my kids for going to far up the rock...whoops) and they created all sorts of little trails and hide-outs.

 Haley and Morgan slept in their own tent tucked away.

They named their spot the Coyote Den.

 Sunday we went on a hike in the park to see the lava tubes.  The tubes are basically huge caves created from lava flowing underground from volcanoes dating back 27,000 years ago.  Some of the tubes collapsed but some are still in tact and people can walk through them.  

Having our picnic lunch outside one of the caves.

 The lookout point from the lava flow hike.

 We also hit up the sand dunes in the park that evening before dinner.

This is always a favorite with the kids...you can't visit Snow Canyon without hitting up the dunes!

Monday morning we went on a very short hike (more like a little walk) to see the pioneer names written on the canyon wall.  Pioneers would write their names with axle grease as they passed through the area.  Some  dated back to 1881!

And just for kicks I had Haley and Morgan pose in the same rock hole they peeked through years ago.

 They're so little!!!

 Hiking up to see all the pioneer names.

After the hike we headed back to camp, made a quick lunch and then we packed up to head home.

I'm so glad we planned this little weekend getaway.  It was perfect and just what we all needed.

And we all got our much needed s'mores fix!!

CA Trip Part III: Lake Arrowhead

Tuesday morning we left Long Beach and headed up to Lake Arrowhead for the remainder of the week.  Of course, as soon as we arrived we had to go down to the lake to swim.  I kid you not, we spent more time in our swim suits than clothes for this trip!!  Ha!

 Burnt Mill Bay was first up.

 My brother, Andrew, lives in Big Bear (which is a bit further up the mountain)...so he came down to hang with us which is always good fun!

 Wednesday morning we went for a ride, and when you ride in Lake Arrowhead it's either up or down...flat roads do not exist!  And the last climb to the cabin nearly kills me every time!

And then we hit up Tavern Bay for the afternoon!

 Haley loves floating in her tube.

 Morgan absolutely loves fishing, but she has yet to catch a fish.

Thursday we headed up to Big Bear for the day (for more lake time of course) and so Morgan could fish with her Uncle Andrew.

But alas...still no fish.  Darn it.

 Morgan heading out with Ryan and Andrew...and of course Haley is out there in her tube.

Friday we decided not to go to the beach (I know...What???) and do our traditional hike to the village for ice cream.  I did this hike tons as a kid, so it's always fun to do it with my children.  It won't be long and I bet Haley and Morgan will be doing it by themselves.  

And then Saturday it was back on the road for home.

So side story:

On the way to CA we stopped into Peggy Sues for a bathroom break and to let the kids run around.  Peggy Sues is a restaurant/gift shop right outside Barstow, CA...so we were in the homestretch of the drive. When we arrived in Long Beach we realized that Piper had left her beloved Hippy (a stuffed Hippopotamus) at Peggy Sues.  Oh my, the devastation that ensued...poor Piper was so heartbroken.  I quickly called Peggy Sues and explained that we had just been there a couple hours prior and please could someone see if my daughter's Hippy was left on a picnic table.  The woman I was talking to was happy to look for him and low and behold she found Hippy!!  Just like we suspected he was left on a table.  She said she would keep him safe until our return trip a week later.  So...you better believe our first stop out of CA was Peggy Sues, and sure enough, they had Hippy safe and sound!!

 Piper was thrilled.

Happy Day!

 Pool side hotel room in St. George for no extra charge!

Happy Day indeed!

 7 layer bean dip with chips for dinner!

We're easy to please.

And more swimming!!

We got home Sunday afternoon...tired and happy.

Ryan and I even had time for quick ride!

Now, it's been back to reality and of course lots of summer craziness.

Have a great weekend ya'll!