Utah trip 2022 part 1

We went to Utah and did the national park loop again over Thanksgiving. This year we brought along family friends, the Fink family, and we had another amazing trip!

Our first stop was the Grand Canyon.

Then we went to Horseshoe Bend...beautiful and amazing!

Our next stop was Antelope Canyon...too hard to describe in words. Left me speechless!

Our entire group for this vacation!

After Antelope Canyon, we drove to 4 Corners and got to be in four states at one time. We got to the spot five minutes before closing and the lady in the booth was not friendly or happy that we arrived!

Arches National Park was next on the list. This time we hiked to Delicate Arch and it was amazing!

Double Arch was the next hike and this was also amazing to see and climb on!

We made our final stop at Balanced Rock...crazy to think about how and why this structure remains like this in the middle of nowhere!

Canyonlands was another stop we made just in time. Got a few pictures in before sunset and a long drive to our next destination...Bryce Canyon.

 

Utah trip continued

Bryce National Park...to beautiful to put into words.

More snow this time around and the girls had lots of fun playing in it!

After Bryce, we headed to Zion National Park. Our first stop was Canyon Overlook.

The next day we hiked The Narrows at Zion National Park. This was amazing. We had to rent equipment to keep our clothes and feet warm. We wore neoprene socks x2, special hiking boots, and special dry gear with gaskets around the ankles to keep the cold water out. This was my favorite hike, such a fun adventure and the sights along the way...again, too amazing to describe!

Our final day of hiking, we tackled the hike up to Angel's Landing. We did not win in the lottery for a permit to hike up Angel's Landing so we stopped once we reached it. Good thing because Jeff wouldn't have been able to hike the Landing with only one working arm, and I was too scared to hike the Landing (I thanked God big time when we didn't get permits!)

The switchbacks were tough but were the final ascent up to Scout's Lookout and Angel's Landing.

The girls having fun on the lawn before our Thanksgiving buffet meal at the Zion Lodge. What an amazing trip...we had wonderful weather and wonderful company. Can't wait to go back!

 

Snugglebunny's Mint Christmas Cookie Cutout time!

It is the most wonderful time of the year! We get to bring out Grandpa Larry's mint flavored Christmas cookie cutout recipe and make some cookies! I remember Dad and Claire making these often when he came to visit when Claire was just 2, 3, and 4. They would always manage to sneak in some of the dough to eat behind my back! Making his cookies every year is definitely a wonderful tradition. While we work, we talk about our memories of Snugglebunny and it just warms my heart!

Dad always got us with flour on our noses so we have kept this tradition alive as well!

Claire's favorite part is putting sprinkles on top!

 

November Cotillion

Claire had her second Cotillion class. She is learning so much and seems to be enjoying dancing with the boys!

It is a rare occasion that Claire is excited to get dressed up. It is fun to see this side of her!

Claire, Abigail, Caroline, and Annalee...all looking so grown up and beautiful!

 

Claire's first babysitting job!

Last Saturday Claire had her first babysitting job. She got to babysit Palmer, who will be 3 in January. Claire did an amazing job! I was there just in case she needed me, but I didn't help with much at all. 

Lots of time was spent at the park! Claire quickly learned she needed to right behind Palmer all the time because Palmer is definitely a dare-devil!

Then they did some painting projects!

More outside time playing with bubbles. It was a great day and Claire is definitely excited to get paid to play with Palmer again!