Goblin Valley Revisited

Casey Bert descending into Goblin's Lair

 I had a pretty hectic week last week. There was the usual craziness of keeping up with a big family: packed calendar, driving, errands, cooking, etc. I also had a talk to prepare for church on Easter,  a primary lesson to put together,  Easter festivities to plan and shop for, and our camping trip to Goblin Valley.  On top of all that, I developed a bad tooth ache Tuesday night, for which I went in the next day for an emergency root canal. I lost a whole day and half on that between the pain and drugs, and spent the rest of the week trying to catch up...just in lost sleep alone. (That first night I didn't sleep two minutes together because all I could do was chew ice to keep the pain under control.) It worked out alright. I was able to see an endodontist fairly quickly the next day...And let me tell you that root canal was a blessed relief! My Dad took Abner back to their house, where he was well cared for by my sisters. My mom came to the rescue again. She came and stayed with me all day, took me to my appointment, made dinner for my family and washed and folded all my laundry. She is an angel.
With all this (my root canal happened a day before our scheduled departure for Goblin Valley), there was a moment or two when I considered calling off the camping trip. But we had had the big group site at Goblin Valley reserved for many months, and plans with family...so no matter what else came up on the docket we were going to Goblin for what has become our annual tradition. It's a good thing that Helen is such an event planner. The way I roll, I think if everyone shows up that's good enough, every man for himself -- but Helen put together a general itinerary of events and coordinated some food so that we had a big breakfast all together both days. It made things really nice. She did all this while battling with pregnancy-induced nausea. Women are amazing!

We hit some new sites this year. Casey lead and expedition south of the Valley of the Goblins to rappel into a cavern called the Goblin's Lair. I didn't get to go on this one this time...I was doing battle with a certain 2 year old. Between the 2 year old with his attitude problem, and the 5 year old who had multiple potty catastrophes...I wasn't a very happy camper that day.

Wish I could have gone to Goblin's Lair; the pictures were amazing!

Surfacing at the jumping-off point.

My two very capable brothers. If I ever find myself in a survival situation...or if my car breaks down, these are the two I want with me.
This picture made me tear up a little. They are the best brothers in the world, book-ending a family otherwise full of girls. They take good care of us. 

Noble getting ready to take the plunge.

Noble's buddy at the bottom of the Goblin's Lair rappel. Happy to still be alive. 

Noble's friend joined us on this trip. He says he had a great time, despite the fact that we scared the heck out of him with the rappelling.

In the afternoon we drove north behind the reef to check out a canyon we'd never hiked before. We just hiked a couple of miles in and then back out. Mom and Dad drove out there with us, but then passed on the hike. Here they are in the truck as they were leaving. I wanted to get some documentation of dad wearing his "town hat". He has this old cowboy hat that was ruined in a down pour on a trail ride once (with a couple of my kids). When he got home he took some scissors and cut away the ruined outer brim of the hat, and he wears it around just to irritate Mom. He wears it anywhere and everywhere if Mom is around. She hates it. It's very endearing. It looks like a goofy ten-gallon fedora. I love my dad. ha ha ha

Later the next day we visited the valley proper. It was incredibly crowded up at the parking lot (Spring Break weekend? We should have known.), but once we got down in the hoodoos we barely noticed.

Sean and J in the valley

Mike took this picture back in the formations around camp. I just LOVE the forced smile on Abner's face.

 Always good to be back at Goblin Valley. Thanks everyone for coming!

My Sister Had a Baby

We are so blessed! Baby Eisley Jane joined our family a week and a half ago. She came almost 4 weeks early, and had to stay in the NICU until yesterday. But she's HOME!!! I was grateful to have been there (only because I was the designated photo-chronicler of the event) to witness miracles. What an amazing experience! The Lord is truly aware of each of us. Including this precious baby girl and her parents. Congrats Bendy and Roy!

Moments at Home

I know that my mom will be mortified that the cat is allowed to sit on the office desk. But isn't she sweet there with the kids' Easter window decorations in the background, surveying the street? (Mom, I am telling you she is a calming influence. You should let Smudge in more. It would be good for your stress levels...ha ha ha.)

Patrick the hamster and Pluto the cat... regarding one another.

General Conference

Hair cuts (long over-due) after Saturday sessions. Before (still happy).

After (mad as heck...note the tear on this right cheek). Jessie performed a valiant service, holding him still while I clipped his long locks.

Abner later got over his angst...Tillman not so much. (He was still mad that I clipped his hair too short to sculpt into spikes and faux-hocks and other trending coiffures. Sorry dude. It will grow.)

The mood swings so exhausted Abner that he crashed soon after.

Abner kickin' it with his bff. As wild and crazy as he is, how is it that he gets along best with such a sweet little girl? And how is it that she has such a good time with him? Life is full of mysteries. Like how he sits perfectly still and calm and listens intently while she sings her dramatic toddler rendition of "Let it Go". Abner, who wouldn't sit through that movie for any type of bribery.  My only explanation is that men and women were meant to compliment each other. Here's proof.

The Boys in Dixie

Mike had the genius idea of taking the oldest 2 boys down to St. George a few weeks ago for a little guy bonding. He drove them down the weekend before their spring break. They did some long boarding and spent a day hiking in Zion before Mike headed home that Sunday, leaving them with Grandma and Grandpa for a week of mano a mano...or should I say dos a dos?

This picture almost made my heart stop...no matter how many times Mike assured me they were perfectly safe.

Mike doing a DP commercial atop Angel's Landing (Photo Cred: Tim Melton)

After Mike left, Howard and Tim (so glad Tim drove up from Vegas to spend that time with them!) kept the boys busy with multiple trips to the fishing pond up the hill (and subsequent fish-fry's), outings to the rec. center pool, shuttling the boys to the top of the their preferred long-boarding hill again and again, and up to Sand Hollow.

Tillman's face is priceless in this one

 Grandma kept them well fed as always and entertained around the house with Kinex. Here they are with a few of their creations.

We missed the boys while they were gone, but I have to admit that the house was a whole lot quieter.

On Friday we drove down as a family to get the boys. We spent a couple of days chillin' in the beautiful weather. We went out to Sand Hollow on Saturday, climbed around the rocks and had a leisurely day in the sand and the sun.

Screen shot from Jessie's Instagram  of the day.

We drove home Sunday morning, in time to make it back for our ward conference...and for Angie to teach her Primary class.

Thanks again Howard and Jacque! The boys had a week that they will always remember!