Hangin with the cousins

Okay, we tried to get pictures with Ethan but I haven't figured out how to get a toddler to hold an infant upright... they fall flat and the pictures always look uncomfortable and strange.

Silverwood Lake, San Bernardino

Camping is a dirty business... I don't care if you have quarter showers or not... after a single day nothing is clean.  It also requires a crazy amount of stuff, just so you can eat and have sleepless fits all night.  Family camping is extremely more hardcore and complicated than guy camping, where everything is optional.  But watching our children playing in the dirt and catching frogs with Grandpa and their cousins makes the whole experience worth any misery we experience.

Pine Valley, Dixie National Park

Pine Valley (while Michael slept in)

This was Henry's first camping trip.  Since we didn't have reservations anywhere and it was Independence Day week, we thought it prudent to visit a less popular national park.  Pine Valley was the perfect getaway from the heat and crowds.

Brush fire

Of course, Sara didn't believe me when I told her the interstate in Utah was closed due to brush fires.  I was driving my brother to Utah.  We got a late start so we already expected to arrive in Salt Lake late at night.  But rather than wait for the smoke to blow over we took one of the longest detours of my life.  For the next hour we drove south, down into Arizona... it seemed like forever before we turn north again... up the 89 which slows down at every small town it passes through.  We passed through Kanab... a long way off from our original route.  After nearly three hours we finally pulled back onto the interstate shortly above the point we had pulled off.  On the way home I snapped a few pictures of the brush fire still blazing.

For the record

During my short visit to Utah I visited Carly + Jeremy and family.  For the record I arrived practical unannounced.  Of course, I brought my camera and took the opportunity to shot their small apartment before they move... documentary-style!  Jeremy updated me on the recently Supreme Court decision on Obama Care.  Carly fed me waffles for dinner and apologize for the mess... no apology necessary.  Raymond put on his cape and socks. Ginny showed me her room and toys.  Carly's children are so adorable.  I am so grateful they let me come over on such short notice,  it was definitely the highlight of my trip.