On to Utah...

So on Tuesday, July 29th, mom, dad, Cole and I left for Utah for 6 nights. Our original plan was to drive from Vegas to Zion National Park, spend a few hours there and trek it up to Ogden where our other timeshare is. However, we decided that Bryce Canyon National Park was to awesome to pass up and we took a detour. We ended up spending the night in wonderful Beaver, Utah and then pressing on towards the goal of Wolf Creek Mountain, Utah... Here are some highlights of Utah and our adventures.

We're on our way!!!
Some beautiful works of the Lord along the way...
We hit Zion National Park first...
Cole and I right outside the Zion tunnel through the mountains...
My boy and me in Zion...SO PRETTY!
Along the highway in Zion National Park, we came across some cool sheep/mountain goats that were right alongside the road, up on a BIG rock. When I went under the rock to take some pics of this awesome animal, here's the stare down that I received. I promptly picked up the pace and moved away from being right under this guy...he was VERY intimidating. There were 5 altogether. They totally stopped traffic on the tiny 2-lane highway...many people got out of their cars and took some photos of them!

On the way to Zion, we stopped in at a local rock shop and looked at some cool rocks and fossils.
We also spotted a herd of buffalo along the way and he was the biggest one of all, right in front of the fence...


We took the beautiful route to Bryce Canyon and finally made it to Inspiration Point. What a privilege to see this amazing creation of the Lord's twice...

Grandma showing Cole the amazing view from Inspiration Point! I think that might have been her favorite moment of the entire vacation! :)


Cole and I snuggling up close enjoying the view!
Dusk in Bryce Canyon National Park...

We went to a few other vista points, but my camera died after Inspiration Point. We were fortunate enough to see many mule deer and even some pronghorn deer, which look sort of like antelope. We ate dinner at the famous Ruby's Inn in Bryce Canyon, went shopping in their souvenier shop, bought way cool rocks and postcards, and finally left at about 10:30 p.m. Dad pulled off the highway and turned off all the car lights and we stargazed for about 10 minutes. We were able to see the Milky Way and so many amazing constellations...even a few shooting stars! We drove through a tiny town called Panguitch, Utah, couldn't find a hotel room and finally made it over to Beaver, Utah around midnight. We found a Comfort Suites and were very glad for a comfy bed and a great breakfast. We even chatted with a family from the Netherlands about the differences in prices between the US and the Netherlands...fascinating conversation! We then headed up the 15 for a LONG drive to Ogden, Utah. And that marks the end of the trip from Vegas to Wolf Creek Mountain, Utah.

It all started with Vegas...

Our summer family vacation started on Sunday, July 27th and this is how it went...

Ahh...The open road! Vegas, here we come!!!!'Nuff said!Emilie, Cole and I in front of the famous Vegas sign...at about 11:00 p.m.! :)


We were so lucky to be able to see Kristal, Shaun, Natalie and Landon Sawyer the first night we arrived. We went out to a birthday dinner for me at an incredibly tasty restaurant, Brio Tuscan Cuisine. :) After dinner we hauled the kiddos to the exquisite Bellagio to watch the fountains.
Here is Natalie and Cole with their first row seats to the show! :)
Ahh...so cute...Natalie and Cole awaiting the show together! :)Side by side...LOVE IT!Kristal and her sweet boy Landon watching the fountain show!Emilie, Cole and I inside the Bellagio hotel checking out the gardens...awesome!
Inside the gardens, below the awesome "eagle chicks" :)
The way-cool fountains in the gardens...I have never seen the likes of this!
On Monday, I was able to go over to Kristal's new apartment and check it out and have some girl time. We talked for quite a while and we were able to catch up in between taking care of the kids and laughing at Natalie totally showing off for me. :) It was great...thank you Kristal for your hospitality and your incredible friendship. I'm so glad you're only 4 hours away instead of 8! :) That night we went to the MGM Grand and checked out the lion attraction, grabbed dinner at Panda Express, and hit up the M&M factory...here's dad kissing his fave color!
Cole and me at the MGM Grand!

The beautiful lioness posing for the cameras...she gave all of us quite the view when she came right up to the glass and also played in the water with her ball. :)
Just had to take a picture of this one for Mike. :)After our night out on the lit-up town, we came back to our timeshare, got comfy, and Cole and I had a dance off to my new Leona Lewis CD. We had SO much fun!

Emilie and I at the Vegas airport on Tuesday morning...she was only able to join us for the Vegas part, but I'm so glad she was with me on my birthday and we were able to have a ton of fun together!
And we're off to Zion National Park and Bryce National Park...