Jon planned his own birthday. He wanted to do exactly what he loves doing, with the people he loves most. We were happy to go along with his plans, as it turns out he can really plan a fun party!
We headed down to beautiful southern Utah. We learned the end of February is the
perfect time of year to go! Perfect beautiful hiking weather, not too many people, and you can still drive in vs taking shuttles in the hot summer crowds.
First stop on his birthday list was the gorgeous Bryce Canyon.
We stopped at a lookout point. We named the formations out in the distance. See if you can see
"The Three Amigo's" here:
And here is what we named,
"The Gossiping Girls"
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| See how they look like they're in a huddle gossiping? |
As we would point them out, we heard an elderly couple next to us: "Oh, there's the gossiping girls, I see them..." he-he.
I enjoyed driving through Zions from the back way into St. George. We wondered what the kids did to pass the time in the tiny towns on the outskirts and decided they must do a lot of throwing sticks at rocks.
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| We arrived in Zions just as the sun was starting to dip below those red rocks, it was so pretty! |
I love Zions!
You can see the holes they blasted through the mountain for air circulation to make the long tunnel. It's been years since I've driven through it.
The next day we drove back in to Zions to spend the day. It's a quick 25 minute drive from Hurricane. It was so fun for me to see all the little shops and restaurants along the road I remember so well. Such good memories!
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| I texted this pic to Jen, "Guess where I am???" |
The kids loved Zions- they were so little the last time we came, I think Zeke was barely walking. It is truly a gorgeous place.
We gave Dad lots of love for his big day. Of course, we had to have a birthday banner! (courtesy of Paisley.
Happy Birthday, Dad!
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| The "cake" |
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| Big 42 looks good on YOU! |
As we headed home, Jon still had one last stop for us. I had never been to Kolob Canyon and was glad to see it. At first the kids said they were done with hiking and were content to stay at the lookout. Before long, we were all hiking up to the big lookout.
It was a great getaway, one Jon and I kept reminiscing about days after we got home. "Wasn't that so nice?" We'd say. It was. It really was!
And here is what we named, "The Gossiping Girls"
You can see the holes they blasted through the mountain for air circulation to make the long tunnel. It's been years since I've driven through it.
The next day we drove back in to Zions to spend the day. It's a quick 25 minute drive from Hurricane. It was so fun for me to see all the little shops and restaurants along the road I remember so well. Such good memories!
It was a great getaway, one Jon and I kept reminiscing about days after we got home. "Wasn't that so nice?" We'd say. It was. It really was!
