Hiking Zions Canyon

It was the perfect weekend, first day of Spring to be exact, that my husband got the bug to do one of his impromptu road trips with me and the kids. I am a planner who likes to think things through, right down to a typed out itinerary where I can schedule in our bathroom breaks. He on the other hand is my opposite, very spontaneous and adventuresome, one of the many things we all love about him! When he says pack your bags you feel a little irresponsible like you've just been invited to play hooky and are whisked away from all your earthly cares. So we all trekked down to Southern Utah and stayed in a house Matt's parents let us use in St. George. We love hiking in Zions Canyon and this year Matt really wanted the older kids to do Angels Landing with him. I being quite squeamish about mega heights, opted to stay and do some of the mild hikes with our little ones.

The weather was gorgeous this time of year not too hot or cold. We were also lucky to avoid any of the summer crowds.

Angels Landing was a pretty intense hike. With narrow paths at some points and dangerously steep drop offs. They even have chains bolted into the rock walls in some areas to keep hikers safe. They completed a 4 hour hike in 3 hours and all loved it. Caleb did mention that it would most likely be his last time trying a hike like that (I think he inherited my fear of heights). Here they are at the top: Caleb, Colton, Matt and Tayler.

Colton relaxing and enjoying the view from above.

Sweet & Sunny Mexico

Matt and I were so excited to get away

from our cold February surroundings

and go on a Mexican Riviera cruise!

We've done this one before with Norweigian Cruise Lines,

and loved it. But this time was especially fun because

Matt's parents took all of his siblings along to celebrate

their 50th wedding anniversary coming up.

The cruise was very nice but the best part

was truly spending time together...

Matt's parents Alton and Cola.

Matt's sister Alesa and her husband George.

Matt's brother Brad and his friend Nicole.

Matt's brother Spencer and his wife Jo.

Matt's brother Tyler and his wife Amber.

Matt's sister Lindsay and her husband Travis.

Our first stop Cabo San Lucas was gorgeous.

We spent the day shopping and eating

with Lindsay and Travis.

We ate lunch and tried some Cabo Chocolate Gelato at

Sweets, it was really good.

We made our way past shops and through the waterfront

soaking up the sights and sounds of Mexico.

The best part was finding a place to relax on the beach and
buying some fun trinkets for the kids

from the vendors there.

The next day we sailed into Mazatlan.

Matt's parent's have a friend that owns a hotel

called the Inn at Mazatlan they had wanted us to see.

It was really beautiful. We enjoyed fresh guacamole

and chips while we were there, then chilled out

on the beach in the back with everyone.

Above:

Tyler, Amber and Alesa (showing off her new viking helmet)

just before her conquest at parasailing.

Before we left we wanted to eat at one of our favorite

restaraunts in Mazatlan called Panchos.

It's located in the Golden Zone, near all the good

shopping . Everything we've tried there is fresh

and delicious especially the shrimp!

(I'm starting to sound like my husband

who's very passionate about food, it's rubbing off on me.)

Our final stop is also one of our favorites, Puerto Vallarta.

It's a good blend of both new and old Mexico.

Along with Matt's parents we rented a cab and toured

up into the Sierra Madre mountains.

The sightseeing there was unbelievable.

From the top we were able to get some great

vantage points of the breathtakingly beautiful bay.

We also stopped for some very good authentic

mexican food at Chico's Paradise.

Our trip truly was a dream.

We both feel rested and relaxed
and are now anxiously awaiting

the sunshine to come our way.