Family V-Cation to Arches

Kylee in our little Honda packed between the snacks and sleeping bags on one side and Cody on the other.

Cody taking a nap. Now that is worth taking a picture of. It reminds me of the good old days when he was a regular napper (and not just while traveling).

Park Avenue

Double Arch was the last arch we saw before heading home. Do you think it was time to go? Poor Cody had hiked to Delicate Arch earlier in the day and had had all the fun he could handle. It looks like we just dragged him for miles and miles but really the car is right behind us. He layed in the sand for about 15 minutes and he wasn't crying or anything he was just laying there.

This is also in front of Double Arch, but before the meltdown.

This is proof that our entire family made it to Delicate Arch. This hike is awesome. I love how you don't see the arch until you come around a cliff and there it is.

We took 80 pictures of this pose. This is the only one where Cody isn't bugging his sister. He was either pulling on her ears or pulling her hat off or putting his arm around her in a border-line headlock.

Steve and Cody on the Delicate Arch hike. Cody was a good little hiker, but sometimes Steve had to put his backpack in the front so Cody could ride on his back.

At the Delicate Arch Trailhead. It might look like it's warm, but Kylee is wearing a snowsuit for a reason.

Cody at Skyline Arch. Everytime he sees this picture he tells me that his teeth were "shaking" (chattering).

This is the view from our campsite. It was beautiful. You too could have this view for only $8 a night (running water, garbage bins, and quiet neighbors not included). Camping with just our family was a little interesting. We couldn't set Kylee down and we had to keep an eye on Cody since we were so close to the river. So Steve cooked while I herded the kids and we never really sat down and ate a meal. Steve is so thoughtful. He always made sure I had a drink or food in my hand while we were busy with the kids. And he did the same for the kids. We are so lucky to have him.

Playing in the sand at Sand Dune Arch.

Kylee face-planted in the sand. The poor girl sneezed sand for awhile after that.

Kylee zonked after our first hike. I love holding my kids when they are sleeping.

Cody climbing a rock on the way to Broken Arch. He had SO MUCH dirt in his pockets. We didn't realize just how dirty he was until we were helping him get into his pajamas in the tent. There was a pile of red dirt all over our bedding.

Taking a little time for a snack in the car before hiking again.

This was on our first hike around the Windows. It was FREEZING. It was below 50 degrees and the wind was blowing, but we had just gotten out of the car after a 3 1/2 hour drive and we were excited to be there.

This is the first picture we took after getting out of the car. Kylee likes to raise her arms too and cheer, but we haven't really been able to capture it on camera yet.


Arches V-Cation in Summary: Missed the exit for Spanish Fork canyon, backtracked just a little - kids restless in the car - wind blowing once we get there - holding hands and hiking - Camel Bak leaked in Kylee's car seat while on our first hike - Tif in the back to help dry off seat and Kylee and gets wet herself - kids hungry - kids cold - see beautiful things - take lots of pictures - play in the sand - Kylee eating the sand - Cody excited about peeing outside - Cody peeing by a tree at our campsite and thinking our neighbors dog was so cool because he stopped to pee at the same tree - Steve taking care of us and getting food in our tummies and setting up camp - Cody and Kylee squishing us in the tent - kids sleeping all night - kids waking up at 6:00 am in our tent and wanting to scream and laugh and wrestle - putting the kids in the car at 6:30 am with the heat on so they don't wake up the neighbors or get too cold while we pack up - Cody spilling lemonade in his car seat and soaking his pants - hiking to Skyline Arch and freezing our buns - talk about maybe just going home - decide to try hiking to Delicate Arch - bundle up - stay warm - make it all the way to the arch and back with happy, well-fed kids - decide to see Double Arch before heading for home - Cody poops out and would rather make forehead prints in the sand than either hike inside the arch or go back to the car - drive home with dirty, restless, hungry, tired kids - LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT - WANT TO DO IT AGAIN SOON!