Camping part 1 ~ Zion National Park

We took our first tent camping trip (in a very long time) over Labor Day Weekend.  I was a little nervous since I got accustom to our camper, but we sold it before laving Florida, so it was back to roughing it.  We opted not to take Bailey, and instead board her (which I've never done) and it was a good decision!  She would have loved it, but we had no room for her in the van, and keeping her on a leash the whole time (Nation Park rules) would have been annoying for her and us because she whines when she's wearing it.  

We began the trip with a stop on the side of the road in Arizona somewhere to do a little shooting.  The big girls got in a little Red Ryder action.  Jonathan has had his BB gun since he was a kid.

Then Jonathan unloaded on his laptop.  It deserved it.  It messed up one of his briefs for work and its been slow anyway...it was time for its quick departure.

First he took his .357 to it.

Then his new 12 gauge shotgun that he got for Weapons School graduation last year.

Aahh, he feels much better now.

Bishop helped put the laptop out of its misery as well, and then the guys did some skeet shooting.

Oh wait, lets blow up the laptop again!

I don't think it'll start up anymore.

The kids were safe and sound (and cool!) in the van watching a movie while the big boys did their manly shooting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We then headed to Zion National Park to camp at the Watchman Campground.  We booked only a few weeks ago and got back to back sites which worked perfectly for hanging out and eating meals together.

Making the girls earn their keep!

Good work ladies.

Our sites...Jacob's on the left and we are on the right.

Why the heck would we waste our Oreo's on the animals?

After setting up camp, we walked across a few campsites to the river.

Daddy helping Juliet over a puddle.

Cooling off.

Ava is the bravest of all 3 girls.  She climbed up this tree quickly and without hesitation. She's very much her father's daughter!

Kylie was thrilled to see frogs again!  Its been a few months since she held a slimy creature in her hands.

Babying my baby.

We all hung around this part of the river, but the muddier parts would grab onto our flip flops....

...and here is Kylie bawling after she fell in.  Mommy was upset too.  I hate my kids this dirty!!

Pouting and muddy.  I would have done the same thing.  She is her mother's daughter.

Ava can get some good air when jumping.

On the way back to our site, we saw this squirrel getting ready to salt his margarita glass.

After dinner (fish tacos with the halibut Jonathan and Bishop caught in Alaska last week), the kids were ready for S'mores.  Ava's new trick is looking cross eyed.  She's really good at it!

Getting the perfect marshmallow.

Time for deliciousness!!

So excited!!

Mmmmm....

After a VERY windy night, Jonathan got up and fixed us all his grandmas fried french toast.  It certainly isn't healthy and its messy to make, so camping is the perfect place to do so.

That giant pan is filled with oil.

Yum!

After breakfast, Jonathan threw the baseball around with the girls.

 Kylie catching the ball.

And throwing it.  Good form!

Ava's turn.  

She greatly increased her frisbee skills this trip too.

After packing up, we headed out of the park and onto the north rim of the Grand Canyon to meet up with a few other families from the squadron.

I took a few shots of the park while we waited to go through the tunnels on the way out.

God saw all that He had made, and it was very good ~ Genesis 1:31