Camping in Moab and Mesa Verde

June 26-30

Instead of our yearly family camp out to Bear Lake (due to the recent and upcoming arrivals of two new Strong babies) we decided to go somewhere different. Papa suggested Mesa Verde so that is where we went. We also invited Dresden and Logan along for the trip and the kids had a blast!

We spent two nights in Moab and two in Mesa Verde. The campsite in Moab was not worth even showing-I was very disappointed. The kids, however enjoyed playing in the (super hot) fine red sand.

This was our site in Mesa Verde:

This was the fine, red sand in Moab:

The stone at the kids' feet should read something like:

"R.I.P. Logan Curtis"

The kids told us they had buried Logan. Then they pretended to cry.

This is where Logan really was.

Okay. So this was one of the highlights for the kids, I kid you not! Free samples of... DEODORANT. They put it on several times a day and would smell their armpits. They thought they were pretty cool until, one by one, the deodorant samples misteriously disappeared.

Collin's famous quote, "I'm a man!"

More funny faces:

Don't ask me what they were doing here. These two always seemed to find fun in every situation.

These two are always a little more serious. Here they are trying to "get warm". No kidding, it was 100 degrees that day!

Sydney's First Swim Meet

Sydney had her first swim meet in June. She participated in the 25m freestyle, backstroke and breast stroke. We weren't sure what to expect but despite the 47 events that took place that morning, everything was pretty organized and went very quickly.

We were curious to see how Syd would do against the other kids. She held her own and actually did quite well. Surprisingly, her best event was the breast stroke. She has another couple of meets in July. Can't wait to see how she improves.

Not the best pictures but, oh well.

The backstroke:

Breast stroke:

Here, Syd had just finished her first event, the freestyle. She was feeling pretty good about it.

"Hurry up and take the dang picture, Mom!"

Sea World

After two days at Disneyland we took a break and headed south to Sea World.

Jay and the kids at the starfish exhibit. The kids loved being able to touch the starfish.

At the big Orca/Shamu show. The kids and Jay went down to the front couple of rows to see if they could get splashed on.

Joan and I sat in the "handicap" section.

If you look closely below, you can see Jay in the rain poncho. The kids were left without protection.

This show wasn't as fun. We loved the dolphins but the whole acrobat thing had us confused.

The kids thought they were a little too "old" to pose with this guy.

The Atlantis ride. You can see Jay and Collin as they were coming off the big drop. Again, notice that Jay was wearing the rain poncho.

At the end of the day Jay was still in the rain poncho though it didn't help him much. After they went on the river run three times it was pointless to have even worn it :-)

Disneyland

This year we headed back to Southern California and Disneyland with Grandma Jo. We were there 5 years ago with Grandma and she was feeling up to the challenge again.

This year we did the city tour and spent 3 days at Disneyland, 1 day at Sea World and 1 Day at Universal Studios. I must be getting old or something because I was pretty worn out by the end of the week (and I was the one in a wheelchair!)

We have lots of pictures of Sydney here because Jay and Collin ended up taking off and doing some of the more scary rides several times. Joan, Sydney and I stayed in Fantasy Land and I had the camera. It was fun to see Sydney enjoy most of the rides this time. Five years ago she wouldn't go on anything other than Dumbo and King Arthur's Carousel.

Having a snack with Grandma:

Dumbo: everyone's favorite, of course. We had to do this one a couple of times.

The story land boats:

The little train. Sydney loved being an animal in a cage.

We finally got Jay and Collin in on the fun at Fantasy Land with the Tea Cups.

This was the tree outside our hotel room. The kids loved to climb in it.

We loved the hotel! It was so conveniently close to the park entrance.

The pool area was very nice and clean. We spent a little time here every evening . Not a great shot of the pool area but I was trying to sneak up on the kids as they were playing.

Jay "reading" at the pool. The sun felt just too good to not take a nap in it.

Grizzly Rapids at California Adventure. The line was estimated to be 45 minutes.

We stood in line for nearly 2 hours but the kids love this ride.

Aah! Look how well they are playing together while waiting in line!

"A sailor went to sea, sea, sea,

To see what he could see, see, see..."

This lasted for about 10 minutes while we were in line.

To help pass the time, the kids took turns "riding" on my lap and pushing me.

Don't they look like such sweet, well-behaved kids?

After two hours in line however, this is really what end up happening. The picture tells it all: Collin bugs Sydney, Sydney tries to get Collin back...it is a viscous cycle.

Another favorite ride: Toy Story. Awesome fun but very long lines!!!

Here the kids are talking to Mr. Potato Head as we wait.

The reason for the wheelchair: spraining my ankle the day before vacation. Isn't that always when it happens? I really thought it was broken, but nope. Just a really good sprain. Oh BTW, a wheel chair really helps the wait time at Disneyland. Unfortunately it wasn't much good for us in California Adventure.

Waiting for the water show to start in the evening: