Welcome Home Mark

We are glad to have you back,

We are so proud of you, and your courage.

You are one of the best people I know.

Here are some pictures that I liked for one reason or another.
This one reminded me of bear cub, with her hair in her face. I like how she puts her hand on him.
BRAVE Mothers go too.
I don't know why they say grown men don't cry.
I wonder if this guy was daydreaming of his own kids while pushing these kids.
To all those BRAVE enough to Volunteer and be away from loved ones.....

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Happy Belated Birthday!

Let's hear it for Hannah... the birthday girl!!!

We love you Hannah! Let's hear some of your favorite "Hannah" memories!
One of mine is the time I was asked to wake Hannah up from her nap to get her ready for her dance recital. Yikes!!! Never wake a sleeping Hannah...EVER!!
I also loved giving Hannah make-overs when she was little (you looked so much better with black eyebrows!)
Love you, girl!

What I did over spring break (or turning a corner)

At Four Corners.

Multi-state Twister.

Alex practicing his yoga.

At Mesa Verde.

The Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling.

Lake Powell.

Lone Rock.

We woke early, I took another shower (I can't help myself) and we drove about thirty minutes to the only place in the United States where four states meet at one point. The Four Corners are actually on Navajo land, so it costs $3 per person to visit. We clicked a few, then drove to Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado.

The road to Mesa Verde was the most treacherous. It was 26 degrees outside and the road was covered with snow and ice in spots. It took us 40 minutes to drive 20 miles. We visited the museum, watched an orientation video, walked to the Spruce Tree House and completed the Junior Ranger program. At the cliff dwelling, Asher and Alex loved going down a wooden ladder that descended into a ceremonial room called a kiva. (I think they just liked the ladder.)

After Mesa Verde, we retraced our route back through Bluff and down through Monument Valley into northern Arizona. We visited the Navajo National Monument near Kayenta and hike along the one-mile Sandals Trail to an overlook of the Betatkin ruin. It was a neat little site, that I'd like to return to in the future.

We then drove to Page, Arizona and camped along the shore at Lake Powell. The monolithic sandstone cliffs and the soft sand beckoned to the boys to come out and play. Asher and Alex had a good time running along the beach. We fell asleep in the car, with a full view of a nearly full moon. We only had one day left - tomorrow would be our last day of adventure.

What I did over spring break (or gigantasaurus rocks)

What we woke up to on Monday morning.

A snow covered campsite.

Snow swirls on the Green River plateau.

The same view as the day before, just snow covered.

Mesa Arch in the snow.

Getting cold yet?

The boys at Delicate Arch.

I had no idea Delicate Arch was so big. This picture of the man inside the arch puts its size in greater perspective.

Some early graffiti. Even national parks aren't immune from tagging.

The boys at Double O Arch.

The view from the rock fin we had to pass on the way to and from Double O Arch.

Partition Arch.

Landscape Arch.

Balanced Rock.

At the visitors center.

Notwithstanding Alex's prayer the night before, we woke to two inches of snow on our car. Upon questioning him, he said that he had prayed that we'd have good weather at Arches, not Canyonlands. And in that regard, Alex's prayer was answered. After retracing all our steps to see the same sites in snow, we drove down the road to Arches, where there was no evidence of snow whatsoever.

Arches is an amazing park. We spent a full day hiking among all the rock formations. The three-mile hike to Delicate Arch was Asher's favorite. Alex loved the four-mile hike to Double O Arch. I just loved being out hiking with my boys.

I had a bit of an epiphany as we hiked. The path to Delicate Arch was not really long, but it was strenuous and Alex was being whiny. The day before, Alex had no problem hiking to the Owachomo Bridge. And then it hit me. At Owachomo Bridge, Alex could see the bridge right from the start, so he could see the progress he made as he walked toward it. At Delicate Arch, the trail climbs and winds outside the view of the named feature. Upon seeing the arch, Alex was much happier.

Like Alex, I think our journey is easier when we have the certainty of seeing our final destination and taking the steps that get us there. It is much tougher to plod along when the trail is tough and we don't know where we're going. It is hard to trust an uncertain path and disregard the calls to turn back or give up. But the payoff for staying on the trail is much greater when we don't know exactly where we're going, but still press forward. At some point in our lives (or maybe throughout our lives), we have to have faith that the trials we are enduring and the steps we are taking are helping us reach our desired destination, without always having a full perspective or even the ability to see around the next bend. That is what I learned as we hiked in Arches National Park.

We ate a quick bite at the Hogi Yogi in Moab, then drove back to southeastern Utah. We were going to camp at Goosenecks State Park, so we could be close to the Four Corners. Instead, I convinced myself it would be better if we stayed in a hotel, so we could shower and get a good night's sleep. So much for roughin' it. We stayed at the Kokopelli Inn in Bluff, Utah.

What I did over spring break (or a bridge over troubled water)

Asher at Natural Bridges National Monument in southeastern Utah.

Looking up at the Owachomo Bridge.

The Green River overlook in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park.

Asher and Alex sitting perilously close to the edge at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands.

Asher took a picture of me and Alex at Mesa Arch.

After waking from a cold night at Capitol Reef, we packed up the car and headed south. We traveled through the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area to Natural Bridges National Park. There, we watched a short video and drove the scenic loop, which provided vantage points for three spectacular bridges. I don't know the difference between arches and bridges; they look pretty similar to me. The ranger suggested we walk the short trail to the Owachomo Bridge. It was so darn cold that we considered skipping it, but I'm glad we didn't. It was simply amazing to stand beneath a beautiful bridge, not carved by human hands.

We then headed north towards Moab and the twin parks of Canyonlands and Arches. We drove through the Needles district of Canyonlands on the way to Arches, but it was too cold and windy to do anything substantive. When we got the Arches, the campground was full, so we drove up the road to the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands, where we found a nice campground and set up our tent. We then drove to the Green River overlook and Mesa Arch. At both places, it was amazing to see the Colorado and Green rivers snake through the landscape from an observation point high above on a plateau.

We had every intention of spending the night in the tent, but we were so tired from the long day's drive, that we just decided to fall asleep in the car. Besides, we had spent the last two days enduring blistering wind, periodic snow flurries, and near-freezing temperatures. No one was excited to spend another cold night in a tent.

We had little idea how the weather might change. Before we got to Arches (to be turned away), I asked Alex to pray for good weather the following day, so we could have a fun time hiking. But the Lord works in mysterious ways. More to come tomorrow.

What I did over spring break (or a capitol experience)

The snow dusted peaks of Zion National Park's Kolob Canyons near Cedar City.

Alex and Asher strike a pose at Bryce Canyon National Park.

The scenic drive at Capitol Reef National Park.

I thought this tree was really cool, all gnarled and twisted.

A view of Chimney Rock, one of the unique rock formations at Capitol Reef National Park.

The boys and I went on a true bedouin adventure over Spring Break, driving and camping wherever we landed for five straight days. We started the trip by visiting a corner of Zion National Park that is seldom visited by Belangers: the Kolob Canyons. We took a short scenic drive, but definitely plan to return. This part of the park has a hike that leads to Kolob Arch, the second longest arch in the world (or at least Iron County). The snow on the mountains at Zion portended weather trouble for the remainder of the trip.

We then drove to Bryce Canyon, where we started to see little flurries of snow. It was really cold, but the boys really loved the scenery. Alex wanted to do a hike. Unfortunately, the trails were too icy and we didn't have proper hiking boots.

From Bryce, we traveled across the Grand Staircase to Capitol Reef National Park. This part of Utah is named for the mind-blowing elevation gains that must be traversed. The roads were treacherous, the scenery quite spectacular.

After passing through many canyons and surviving a minor blizzard, we finally arrived at Capitol Reef. We camped in the Fruita historic district, which is a working orchard with many historic structures. The fruit trees looked like they would provide great shade in the summer and can be picked by visitors. Alas, we visited in the winter, so no fruit. We hiked along the Fremont River to a breathtaking overlook. We also hiked to some goosenecks. We dined on smoked sausage and capped off the evening with some Edgar Allan Poetry (as Asher called it). We fell asleep after a rousing recital of "The Raven" and "The Black Cat."

Stay tuned for further installments of our travel journal. The story makes so many twists and turns, it's like a magic motion machine (but not deadly).

ST. PATTYS DAY

Picked up Elara and we went and got her Pinata and plates and stuff for her 4th birthday party !

This is her at the Henderson carnival !

We ate at Long John Silvers, went home and napped, then went to the park. Check out this pose. Work that belly girl.

This is my friend Lisa. She didn't show up till later, when the party was nearly over!
But I had fun without her !

Here are some pics of me celebrating St. Patty's

This is me with the last king of Scotland

I look funny in this picture! NO I am not drunk!! I am just SMITTEN with this beautiful yearling mullet.

This is a Scottish band. They were really good! I watched them while I was waiting for Lisa to get off work.

I Kept running into people I know. This is the girl who came past my work and told me she was "stacking her paper" for a down payment!

And I know this Lady from the railhead. She is a blast to watch dance. She dances like Elaine from Sienfield. Her name is Nancy and she said she is a couger ...hmm she didn't act like she went to BYU.

So I finally met up with Lisa and we caught the end of a show and went and got some dinner.

Leprechuan Hunt

As you probably know this is my favorite You tube clip! AND since it's the season I thought I would share it with whoever happens upon the blog. I wanted to post the clip here but I'm not that space age YET! Search"leprechuan hunt alabama" If it is a news clip of an actual leprechuan sighting you've found the right clip . ENJOY

Don't forget to comment on your favorite interviews!

What the Yell!

In preparation for our family reunion, I thought I'd whet your appetite with pictures of what is to be.

The Grand Tetons (don't worry - I won't translate).


The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Lake.

This week, I booked our campsites for the family reunion. We have five (potentially contiguous) campsites at Grant Village, which is very close to Yellowstone Lake. It is going to be a really great time. Based on current commitments, the sites we have should be enough for our party. Unfortunately, no group sites were available.

Here is the preliminary itinerary (feedback is appreciated):

Day 1 - So Happy Together

Hang-out Day

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 a.m Set-up Camp

12:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Get reacquainted - Cousins Hike or Game Playing Tourney

6:00 p.m. Dinner

7:30 p.m. Clean-up camp

8:00 p.m. Campfire

9:00 p.m. Retire


Day 2 - I'm feelin' loopy

Yellowstone Loop Day

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Begin Yellowstone Loop

Stops to include:
Fishing Bridge
Lake Village
Grand canyon of the Yellowstone
Hike to Artist Point (Upper/Lower Falls)
Tower Fall
Petrified Tree

12:00 p.m. Lunch at Mammoth Hot Springs Visitor Center
(approx)

1:00 p.m. Visitors Center and Mammoth Hot Springs

2:30 p.m. West Half of Loop

Stops to include:
Sheepeater Cliff
Obsidian Cliff
Roaring Mountain
Norris Geyser Basin/Museum
Gibbon Falls
Firehole Falls
Fountain Paint Pot
Old Faithful

6:30 p.m. Make Dinner

7:30 p.m. Clean-up Camp

10:00 p.m. Retire


Day 3 - Look at them knockers!

Teton Day

8:00 a.m. Eat breakfast

9:00 a.m. Depart for Grand Teton National Park

10:00 a.m. Arrive Moose Visitors Center

10:30 a.m. Jenny Lake Hike (eat lunch)

2:00 p.m. Scenic Float or Shopping in Jackson Hole

5:30 p.m. Bar J Wranglers and Chuckwagon

10:30 p.m. Arrive back at camp to retire



Day 4 - Breakin' up is hard to do

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Break down camp

11:00 a.m. Depart