Apple Valley Climbing

On December 10th we decided to check out a new climbing area called Apple Valley.  It took us an extra 20 minutes than usually because we missed the main turn off - and had to figure out our way through dirt roads.  We got to the parking area and hiked up about 20 minutes or so.  The kids had fun on the way up as the usually do.  Danny is a big fan of hiking.

Here is Danny picking up - what he tells us is a stick - turns out it is a dried piece of poo

The climbing ended up not being the best.  I'm not a fan of the rock here (as in the texture) plus the rock was cold, which always makes climbing difficult.  Add to this the fact that the kids were crying their eyes out...well, we left after only 1 climb. Sad...

Here is a picture of Emily (who was crying the most)...she had been playing on her tummy on a blanket, and she rolled off, and was playing in the dirt and crying.  Her face was covered in small rocks, dirt and grass.  She started crying again after I pulled off the main piece of grass seen below...apparently she had become attached to it.

Well, the trip wasn't very successful, but I am glad to went somewhere new all the same.  I always love seeing new areas and climbing new rock for a new feel and view.  Hopefully our next trip will be more successful!

Meeting Santa...

We had a Christmas party at church the first weekend in December and guess who showed up...SANTA CLAUS!! Danny wasn't sure what to think at first.  We finally got up to see him, and Danny hesitated for just a moment, but was fine once on Santa's lap.  Emily did well too...no crying!  We was enthralled by Santa and Santa's elf.  Danny has been excitedly talking about Santa Claus ever since!

Thanksgiving Weekend

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving in Southern California.  We've been traveling a lot this past summer and whatnot, and decided to just stay home this year.  My brother and his family were going to come down to visit us, but got sick just days before and decided to stay home.  So Kenneth and I celebrated our Thanksgiving by ourselves.  It was sad at some times, but great at others!

We spent Thanksgiving morning rockclimbing at our local Riverside Quarry.  Afterwards we came home to our little Thanksgiving dinner: ham, mashed potatoes, salad, asparagus and stuffing.

It was delicious!  Afterwards, while the kids took their naps, I headed to Michaels to do some shopping.  I was a little worried about the whole "Black Friday" craziness...but it was very anti-climatic.  Apparently most people don't ask for craft supplies for Christmas :)

The day after Thanksgiving we went on a short hike - make that walk - to a place called Big Falls.

While walking up some stairs to this final look-out spot, Danny tripped and bit his lip wide open.  Sad day!  Talk about a lot of blood...

Danny was also excited to see the snow up there.  He has a slight obsession with ice, and was happy to eat some (clean) snow.  It also helped with his swollen lip.

After our hike we did a quick climb or two up the same general canyon.  I kind of got concerned when the first climb we did was covered with wasps...YIKES!  Needless to say I stopped after that, and Kenneth did a second climb.

The following day (Saturday) we decided to head to the beach for some fun in the sun!  Only here can you play in the snow one day, and get sunburned at the beach the next!  It is fabulous!  We took a couple of family photos before changing into swimsuits and enjoying the water.

After the beach we headed to Malibu Creek State Park.  We hiked in a ways and I was very happy to finally see some fall leaves!  It was beautiful up there.  We did 1 climb and then had to head back because it was already getting dark.  It was a lot of fun, unfortunately we didn't get any pictures though.

Thanksgiving weekend was wonderful despite missing our family.  I am so grateful for all my many blessings.  I am blessed with a wonderful husband who has a good job which allows me to stay home with our two adorable kids.  I'm thankful for all of our family and friends and for our home.  I hope everyone else had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

Halloween - obviously late...

I realize that Halloween was awhile ago now, but I never posted pictures - and grandparents requested them. So, here you go! Kenneth was Robin Hood, I was a cat, Danny a construction worker (he LOVES tractors - see post below) and Emily was a bee.

Cute Kid Pictures

Here are some random cute pictures of the kids:

Snuggling

Danny trying on my boots

There is a big tractor in the back of our apartment complex and Danny LOVES it!  Daddy took him out to drive it one day.

I saw one day that Danny had put his baby in the jumper and was making him jump and swing.  It was so cute!

And lastly some cute pictures of Emily!

Vegas

Back in early October we headed to Vegas for a 3 day weekend.  It just so happened that my brother Michael, sis-in-law Kim and nephew Jonathan were going there as well.  We booked a hotel together and had a great time together - as usual!

I wanted Danny to see the Bellagio fountain show because I thought he would love it.  Come to find out he was kind of scared...not sure why! I'm going to attribute it to his sleepiness...because usually my kid isn't afraid of anything!  I loved it though!

While we were there we also did some rockclimbing - because if we didn't, we wouldn't be a vacation!

During our first 2 days we also got together with Michael & Kim's friends.  They adopted a little boy awhile back and were able to be sealed to him in the temple!  They had a party to celebrate at the church afterwards.

After Michael & Kim left we headed to Fremont Street.  I'd never been before and Kenneth thought Danny would like it - which he definitely did!  He was so mesmerized by all the nights and sounds.  It was so cute.

Even Emily would stare up while in her carseat!  It was so funny!  Anyway, that was our short trip!

St. George - 11/11-11/14

Kenneth had a 4 day weekend recently, so we headed up to St. George, UT to meet up with his sister Stephanie to do some rockclimbing.  We had a great time!

We arrived Friday, and headed to a climbing area called Chuckwalla Wall.  While there we were climbing next to a dating couple.  The guy had brought along his little dog as well.  Danny of course was following the dog around and petting it, and the dog seemed to be very nice.  This all changed when a tiny dog walked by on the path with a family of 3.  The small dog charged and was biting the tiny dog around the neck.  It was crazy!  I was so happy the dog hadn't bitten Danny!!  It was intense.

Stephanie

Ok, I need to take this moment to let you all know how incredibly cute Danny is!!  Obviously Emily is too, but I'm not featuring pictures of her right here.  Anyway, Danny was totally showing off for his Aunt Steph.

We bought a harness for Danny about a month ago, but he was reluctant to put it on until now.  This was Danny first official rock climb!!  He did such a great job!  He was so high!

Here Steph is helping him repel down - he was a little more nervous on this part!

On Saturday we headed into Snow Canyon.  I love it there!  So beautiful.

We started off with a short hike into a small slot canyon.

Emily is always fascinated with Danny

After our short hike we headed to the sand dunes.  Danny had a lot of fun crawling around, and also had fun watching Kenneth do some back flips.

Love these girls!

Finally we arrived at our climbing destination within Snow Canyon.  We did a really fun climb that was about 200 ft tall.  We had quite the crown watching us!  It was a lot of fun.

Danny pointing out where Danny was

Sunday came around and Steph left shortly after church.  Kenneth and I decided to take Danny to the Little Narrows so he could hike up the "little narrows" and to just walk around the fun rock formations.

The "Little Narrows"

Danny (fuzzy) heading through

Danny is obsessed with bugs!  He picked up this stink bug while walking through the Little Narrows and insisted on holding it (and hugging it repeatedly).  The day before he did the same thing but with a little green caterpillar.  ;)

Can't believe how big Emily is getting - 7 months now

Exploring the little caves - and apparently taking a nap

On Monday we headed back to the Little Narrows so that I could walk through them - since I had Emily strapped to me the day before.  I was very happy that I could still make it through!  The last time I tried, I was about 5 months pregnant...and that didn't go so well!

We did a final climb or two before heading out.

And there you have it!  We love St. George and were so happy to be able to spend a little time with Stephanie and have the kids get to know her better.  Good times.