Post Christmas St. George

 

Quarter zips were all the rage on the Sunday after Christmas.  

Early Monday morning, the six of us loaded into the car to join Baden and Mary's family at her family's vacation home in St. George.  This was a marvelous trip, because we didn't have plans.  Well, I suppose we did have plans to just relax and take it very easy.  I should probably have that plan a little more often.  So on the drive down we stopped at the church's historical site of Cove Fort. 

The kids were kind of in silly moods, but it was quite enjoyable. 

Speaking of silly

I adore pioneer era decor

Our first full day in St. George we took our whole gang to Zions National Park.  Our group was 18 strong and tending towards unruly.  So it was a little bit like herding cats.  But once again-- it was quite fun.  The key to inner peace in such a situation is low expectations.  Case in point, Cannon was missing from this group picture because he got separated from the group and we didn't know where he was.  In the end he did find us, but oh well.  

Originally Clark and Brianna had planned to join us, but their plans changed and they didn't come down-- sadness for us.  We also missed Elinor and Hunter. 

The Three Patriarchs-- Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

The vacation home was amazing!  The backyard was fabulous and even though St. George was having a cold spell, the pool was warm

The teenage boys enjoyed having the the studio apartment above the garage to themselves.  

I love this picture of Uncle Abe and Charlie.  He is such an entertaining little guy.

Cannon and Will spent a lot of time on the sport court

One of the evenings, some college friends of Baden and Mary's joined us for dinner.  The all had a great time and we really enjoyed their friends.  Dare I say they are our friends now, too?  Yes, I do say it.

Charlie and Charlie

We played a lot of games and I loved it!

Peter and Henry

Poor Greta got a really bad stomach ache on New Year's Eve.  We got in the car to take her into an Instcare-- but sadly, it had closed early because of the holiday.  We convinced her to go get a drink and maybe walk around Target to see if it eased before we had to drop some serious cash at the ER.  As we pushed her around in the cart, all of a sudden she turned a little green-- and then tossed some serious cookies on the target carpet in the girls clothing section.  Ewww.  We got some supplies and cleaned it up and remarkably, she then felt markedly better.  

No ER!  YAY!

On the way back to the house we stopped at the St. George Temple for a little pic.

George celebrating the New Year in style

You know what's funny about New Years?  On any given night I can (and do) easily stay up to midnight or later.  But somehow, on New Year's Eve, it feels so hard to stay up.  

Those cheeks and that tummy!  So yummy!

On one of the nights, Mary fired up the outdoor pizza oven for personal pizzas.  I was a very big fan. Mary is an adventurous and accomplished cook.  For many years I've known that when I'm with her I will be eating WELL!

This picture speaks for itself.  I think they are both in their happy place

Abe led the youngsters in a little D&D adventure.  According to Abe, that whole "unruly" thing came into play again and it wasn't the most effective campaign.  Alas

On the way home we stopped at Kolob Canyons.  It was stunning and I'd love to go hike there, but this was kind of just a drive in-- be awed by God's handiwork-- and drive back out.  

Driving home, I wore my Hug Sleep (aka my Snuggie Wuggie).  I slept like a dream.  Mock me if you will, but I find it so soothing.

I understand that a Snuggie Wuggie might not be everyone's cup of tea.  No, I do not feel claustrophobic.  Yes, I can easily get out of it-- but why would I want to?