beating the storm

We got here to St. George, our Thanksgiving get away alright without incident, unless, of course, you count the puking from the back seat. Tess, the champion puker that she is gave me enough warning to provide her with a bag (thank you Wendys for your thick bag). It wasn't until the second time that the warning never came & vomit ended up all over my jacket.


Poor Tess I felt so bad for her, but she took it like a champ and appears to be doing better now that we've stopped moving. Good times people. Good times.

I'm grateful to be here though, safe & sound, ahead of the crazy storm that has schools canceled, businesses closed, & almost everyone I know gearing up for the worst...seriously wondering how bad it's going to be. I'm grateful for a weekend with my family, where hopefully the power stays on & we can enjoy a bit of warmer weather...some indoor swimming perhaps, the new Disney movie, and maybe even some hiking.

So I'm thinking about you all left back home & all of you traveling, hoping you have a great holiday, hoping you are safe and warm through the night.

xo,

amy

zions: a photo essay

I can't remember the last time I went to Zions National Park so the whole experience felt completely new to me. It was an amazing day to hike and be outside, I think it was around 65 degrees. Simply beautiful.


entrance


it was actually quite busy so we waited at least 20 minutes in the car to get into the park.


waiting for the bus to take us up


these two trying to decided which hike to go on.


amy&simone on the bus ride


the hike




occasional stop for a photo op. Adam's taking the photo for Bella.


Estee kept doing these funny poses.












there was a portion of the hike where we had to make our way through the mud. Thank goodness for a railing.


I would have loved to see this view at the height of fall, but I still thought it was amazing.


one of the coolest things was how the leaves embedding into the road as the cars have driven over them.




the kids were all mesmerized by the deer who walked not 10 feet away from them.

over the weekend: a photo essay

Our Thanksgiving was spent down south enjoying the warmer weather. We were only gone a few days, but it was a welcome diversion.


the trip down was quick and painless. The kids slept most of the way.




sleeping arrangements






adam entertained Estee while we cooked.


dinner


I actually went shopping on black friday. Yes, I woke up at 4:30 and got myself to Target in hopes of getting one of those Zhu Zhu pets and a 1TB hard drive. Sadly, I didn't get anything I wanted. It was sort of a waste, but I must say it was quite the experience. I don't think in all my life I have ever seen a line so big. Even my sister, who shops black Friday every year said she had never seen it so packed. It was crazy. When I got in the store I lost my head. I felt like a chicken with my head cut off. Mass people were scurrying about grabbing things that I couldn't remember what I was there for in the first place. It was madness...not to mention the line to pay was hours long. Don't think I will ever be doing that again.


my dad saw this hat while visiting my sister over the summer. He joked about buying it, but when he left empty handed my sister went back later and bought it for him. We all had a good laugh, but I think he was serious about wearing it out.




it rained while we drove home and lucky for us it had it's perks.