Archive for category: Family Activities

This summer we bought one of the big Jelly Belly Bean containers from Costco. We enjoyed quizzing each other on mystery flavors. The worst was when we thought we had a chocolate pudding but it turned out to be a cappuccino. Bleh. Today we did a survey (not very scientific, I might add) about our favorite flavors. We had to throw out some of Liza’s answers because I definitely know she doesn’t like Black Licorice or Cinnamon. These were the overall favorites.

And for fun… found these jelly bean art pieces online.

This is probably one of my favorite hikes to do with littles. It was short, shady, very green, had water, and plenty of places for boys to climb. Plus, it smelled great and had slightly damp ground so it wasn’t dusty like most other Utah hikes! These are the best kind of family outings.

Other news: We listened to some new tunes in the car on our drive to Payson Canyon. After like 7 years of primary songs in the car, Hannah encouraged us to listen to fun modern music. We found some that wouldn’t drive mom and dad crazy… some Bruno Mars and Imagine Dragons… David Archuleta, etc. Max said, “I just felt happy listening to that music.” And Liza would say almost every song, “I really wike that song!”

p.s. Scotty loves chocolate milk… and his new carseat that forward faces. He loves to see!

Trail Information:
Trail Length Approx: .3 miles
Hiking Time: 45 minutes
Trail: Flat, wide and easy.
Dogs: Allowed… but we saw only 1 or 2

“Located about 7 miles up Payson Canyon is the Grotto Trail, commonly known as Grotto Falls. The trail is short, wide, with little elevation gain making it a great trail for all ages. The hike begins from the parking area just off the Mount Nebo Loop Road. It follows a small stream and curves its way through the forest. In a few locations you cross the stream on large timbers put in place by the forest service. This adds excitement to the trail especially for the kids.” Utah Outdoor Activities site

On Friday morning, July 3rd, we loaded up Beastie, our 12-passenger van, with camping equipment, and Hannah, Abraham, Maxwell, Truman, and I headed toward Cedar City, Utah for a camp out with the Thompson clan. We camped on some Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land with no facilities (no bathrooms, no latrines, no water, no nothing, except land, trees, mud, and four-wheeler trails). The boys simply used the woods, but lucky for Hannah, Uncle Bucky brought his camper and a port-a-potty.

Prior to this camp out, the only tent we owned was a four-man tent. We used that tent for Abe, Max, Tru, and I about a year ago at the fathers and sons outing, and it was quite crowded then, so we knew we needed a bigger tent. We got this 10-person tent from Walmart the night before the camp out for a pretty good deal. And true to its advertising, it only took a couple of minutes to put it. That was a nice change.

 

The other nice thing about the tent was that for once we weren’t crowded inside. Granted we only had 5 people in there. Truman was partially right we he later told Heather there wasn’t room for anyone else. While of course you could squeeze more people in there, it comfortably fit our five air mattresses and foam pads, and it would have been difficult to get another mattress/pad in there.

My mom wasn’t there at this pseudo-Thompson family reuinion, but 5 of the 10 Thompson siblings were there: Bucky, David, Tracy, Mike, and Becky. It was good seeing them all, and many of their children and grand children were their too. Four Smith siblings were there–myself, Julie, John, and Michael. It was quite the large gathering.

The kids’ favorite part of the whole weekend was riding the four wheelers. They begged me to take them again and again.

After each of the kids got one ride on the four wheeler, we realized they should have helmets on. They wore them from then on.

 

One of the other favorite parts of the camp out was the  family volley ball game on Friday night. They played for over an hour and all the aunts and uncles were very nice about letting the younger kids participate.

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was the hike to Kanarraville Falls. Most of the Smiths and a few of the Thompsons came.

The first half of the hike was dry and dusty.

But during the second half of the hike, you walk through the creek almost the whole time, and it was great.

Since parking space was limited (and $10 per vehicle) at Kanarraville Falls, all the Smiths piled into Beastie for the 15 mile drive south of Cedar City. This pic was after the hike when we were all dirty and wet but glad we had such a fun time.

We finished the hike mid-afternoon on Saturday. We headed back to Cedar City and picked up Max and Tru who had stayed with Aunt Becky and Uncle Tracy. Then we headed back home to Lehi. It was a great weekend.

In Smith Family style we drove 4 hours down.
Stayed 4 hours at Bryce Canyon.
And drove 4 hours home.

Nice, quick, and to the point.
And in the end, worth all the driving in Beastie for the view!
Heavenly Father has blessed us with such wonderful creations to enjoy!

Tru had great anxiety about getting close to the fence. He delighted in petting dogs and collecting sticks.
Abe didn’t have near-enough anxiety about sitting on the railing with an immediate drop behind him. Aaaaak!
He also said he’d rather have gone to school. Whaaaat!?
Eliza said that “Heavenly Father gave her courage” to hike and climb and sit on the fences far away from the edge.
She also did every hike with Grandma Beck’s sparkly jeweled ring on her finger.
Scotty endured a long day and did quite well.
Max had fun. Hannah enjoys nature too.
Mom loved, loved the views at Bryce Canyon.
Dad had been wanting to do this trip for years. We were glad the weather was excellent!