Monday, April 23, 2012

Spring Break 2012

April 1-7 we took a trip with Cutie, DaVinci, and Superstar down to Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon. We kept it a secret where we were going since we had had complaints when trying to plan trips before. When it became clear to the kids where we were headed the boys all burst into song: "Zi-on's National Park (park park), Zion's National Paaark. Zi-on's National, Zi-on's National, Zi-on's National Park (park park)". You probably had to be there to appreciate that spontaneous song fully, but they kept singing it the whole time we were there. It was great. 


By far the highlight of our trip was the hike to Angel's Landing. It was, "the best hike I've ever been on!" according to DaVinci. It was truly amazing. More on that later ;)

All of us at almost the top of Angel's Landing.

On the way down from Angel's Landing we thought this shadow was pretty cool. Who knew there was a skull on the  side of the mountain?
 We should have gone to the Grand Canyon first because it was truly amazing and astounding and unreal. When we first got there it looked kind of misty and huge and unbelievable. My mind almost couldn't process that it was real. I kept thinking that this must just be a painting or something. I'm so glad we went there because we had never been. We hiked down a short distance on a couple of trails--about 1 1/2 miles on the Bright Angel trail, and about half a mile on the South Kaibab trail. The Grand Canyon was amazing but the hiking we did was almost a disappointment after the hike to Angel's Landing at Zion.
Stephen and Superstar at Ooh Aah Point on the South Kaibab trail at the Grand Canyon.

Inside the watchtower at the Grand Canyon.  We almost didn't stop there because we were anxious to get on our way home, but it was really  amazing so we were glad we decided to make one more stop.

Stephen & I at the Grand Canyon

These pictures should be at the beginning, but I couldn't get them to switch order. Anyway, we spent the first day in Salt Lake at my mom's house for General Conference. Uncle Bill Dunn had come from San Diego to visit. The whole family got together for dinner. I love my family! It was so fun to have everyone together! None of the kids had ever met Uncle Bill and we very rarely get to see him so Juice and Sonny Pie drove down to meet him. They had to be at school at USU so they didn't get to come on the trip with us :(
All of the Dunn grandkids--at least for a while!
All of the Dunn clan-plus two of Alisa's friends from Nigeria. They came all that way to go to General Conference!