Tuesday, August 18, 2009


And poor little boy, Aidan, was left at home with Ya Ya, Nae- nae, and Grandma and Papa while we were gone. Doesn't he just look SOOO sad!!!

The Nemaha County Fair was going on the weekend we returned from vacation. So Daddy and Papa thought Aidan should try Muttin' Bustin (sheep riding)! Check out his lucky riding numbers above.

Aidan is getting ready to saddle up!

Aidan said, "I hold on tight and ride real fast and then go boom-boom!"

I think he is ready to ride again, what do you think?

Quaint Litte Moab, Utah



After we had some fun with Sheena, Keiran, and Janele in Arizona, Dayle and I drove to Moab, Utah.



Our First full day in Utah, was WAY too hot to go biking. We learned that 105 degrees plus at 5 pm is not ideal biking weather, especially when you are riding in the middle of the desert and there are no trees (p.s. 5 am is not our friend!!!) So we opted to trek around Arches National Park!



Dayle and I hiked on several of the trails through Arches National Park. Here is the scenic Arches Tapestry.





Dayle on top of the Arch!




Up The Creek Campground!!! The cutest little campground ever! It was literally 3 blocks away from downtown and had the nicest shower/ bath facilities we have ever seen (Dayle and I were questioning if it was more clean than our bathroom at home, it was that good!)





Eklectica Cafe! A unique little cafe where Dayle and I enjoyed brunch and coffee one morning!

Ken's (man-made) Lake. The only pool of water that Dayle and I saw for miles except for the pool at our hotel!


LaSalle Mountains in Utah. We went biking on some of the trails through these mountains one afternoon. This is where the locals bike in the summer because it is way to hot to bike in the desert!




Dayle and Leah posing at the scenic Sliderock State Park in Utah.



Check out these killer hills! The white spray paint lines were how we knew what trail to take or follow.


Taking a break to look at the view around us!


The lovely Gonzo Inn, we stayed here the last night in Moab. We treated ourselves to a king/ jacuzzi suite and enjoyed the nice outdoor pool and views.




























Thursday, August 13, 2009

Sedona and the Grand Canyon


Dayle and I's Trip Through the Desert Begins.........


The beautiful house we stayed at while we were in Sedona, AZ.
THANK YOU BRUCE AND TERRI!!!

Coconino National Forest in Sedona, AZ. The awesome Red Rocks that we climbed.



Sheena and Keiran hiking through Bell Rock!




The lovely, Janele and Keiran!



Sheena levitating on the vortex!!!

The Grand Canyon!

Hiking down the Grand Canyon
Sheena, Dayle, Janele, and Keiran


Dayle and Leah taking a break from hiking the canyon

The Girls- Leah, Janele, and Sheena!!! We made it back up the Grand Canyon.




Roughing it in The Grand Canyons (with McDonalds Breakfast, of course, it was only 5 miles away!) However, this was after we cooked beans, hot dogs, and toasted bread after we got back from hiking at 10 pm the night before!

Our Last day at the Grand Canyons, we drove around the edge of the canyons to all the different scenic lookouts.




Grasshopper Point! The local alternative to Slide Rock National Park. We swam in the natural spring water and jumped off the 20 foot cliffs (ohh and we can't forget the synchronized swimming, Janele and Sheena provided us with!)



Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona Arizona
(I wish I could say I took this picture, but I didn't)




We could see the Catholic chapel from Janele's parents house. This is the back side of the chapel.

And of course, we shared many delicious family dinners!



One of the beautiful Sedona sunsets we watched!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Silliness!!!



ENOUGH SAID!

Camping at Perry Lake with the Burtons!!!

Taking Time to Enjoy the Beauty of the Outdoors- Dayle, Katie and Isaac, and Ryan


The Boys couldn't get enough of the tractors and dirt!

MMMMMMM, camping and yummy food
Our Super Chef, Ryan

MMMMM, Camping and good coffee
Our coffee-aholic, Katie (and not pictured, Dayle)

Joachim, Aidan, and Isaac discussing and solving worldly issues over breakfast




God showered us with a 5 minute rain followed by a double rainbow, talk about Beauty!




SOOO BIG and Summer FUN


Summer if flying by and I am growing up!!! This is my favorite shirt(we don't understand why!!!)


One of my favorite activities- riding my bike!!! My hobby is cruising around the neighborhood on one of my bikes and visiting the neighbors!!!
YEAH!!!!! For the POOL and WATER!!!! I am pretty sure Saige-Y loves it when I splash us!

Playing in the water with my girl (and neighbor), Jada! From the pictures, you would think I like to pick on girls. But that is not true!!!

I love my SAIGE!!!! (She is having fun with me, even though the picture may not convey that.)