Maple Canyon

Matt had a few days off in a row the first week of November, so we decided to get out of town for a quick road trip. We couldn't go very far, Ethan doesn't last that long in a car, besides we only had two days, so our options were limited.

We decided to head to the big ole town of Ephraim and to check out Maple Canyon. I've heard about Maple Canyon and how gorgeous it is, but neither Matt or I have ever been there. We left one night after Matt got home from work and at Ethan's bedtime. It's much easier to travel when he's asleep. Ephraim is only about two hours away so it wasn't a bad drive.

The next morning we woke up and headed to Maple Canyon about 30 minutes away by Moroni. It was a bit chilly since we were exploring in November, but is indeed a beautiful cobblestone canyon. They have quite a bit of climbing and bouldering routes, which of course no one was on since it was so cold.

We found a slot canyon not far up and decided to explore a bit. The ground was mostly rock and there were birds flying everywhere overhead. We started to hear a noise, which at first I just assumed was another bird. However, it was so consistent and then I realized it was more of a growl, from a very large animal!! We decided to quickly end our exploring there and get out of the slot canyon and back to the car. We never did decide if it was a bear or a mountain lion. Either way, we didn't want to keep going to find out. Ethan kept saying "bear" the rest of the time we were in the canyon.

Ethan and I starting up the slot canyon. Before the unidentifiable sound scare.

Once back at the car safe and sound, we headed further up the canyon to find a hike we had seen on a map. It was about a 1.5 mile hike up to a lookout point, passing some more climbing routes. We thought it shouldn't be too bad, only 1.5 miles. What we didn't know it was about 1.5 miles of straight incline, with hundreds of steep steps at the end to get to the lookout point. We were thoroughly exhausted by the top. Ethan was such a trooper though, we sat great in his pack for the whole 2+ hour hike.

Matt and Ethan on the way up.


Me and Ethan taking a break and having water and snacks once we finally reached to top.

Matt and Ethan at the look out. You could see the whole valley.

After Ethan's nap, we headed over to Manti that evening and checked out the Temple at night. It is a beautiful temple. We ate at a cute local pizzeria then back to Ephraim. Since the night was still young and there is not much to do in a hotel room, we hit the local bowling alley/arcade/grill/tanning salon for a round of bowling. The arcade, grill and tanning salon were hopping, but luckily for us, no one else was bowling. Ethan did great for the first few rounds then lost interest. He found the racing game over in the arcade more appealing. Can't compete with a steering wheel.

Bowling at the local Ephraim hangout.

Afterwards, we went back to the hotel and made a makeshift bath for Ethan in the shower. He had a great time splashing and crawling around.

The next morning we bummed around trying to find more sites to see; not very successful, grabbed some lunch and a malt and headed for home around nap time. Ethan couldn't get enough of the malt. He had to eat it all by himself. The kid was covered with malt. At least he enjoyed it.

Ethan enjoying his malt.

Hopefully we'll be able to get out of town for a quick trip again sometime. We'll definitely have to try Maple Canyon again when its warmer... and there are more people in the slot canyon to scare away any large, lurking animals.

July 2009

--While Matt has been away in Denver, Ethan and I have spent lots of time up in Logan. Ethan just loves Grandpa Bird's horses, 4 wheelers and tractors. Every time we went up we had to go out and see the horses. Thank you so much mom and dad for letting Ethan and I come up and spend so much time while Matt was away. It would have been an extra long three weeks without all of your help.

--On July 3rd we had our annual Brown family get together/reunion. It was such a great turn out this year. All of my mom's brother's and sisters and their spouses were in attendance. It was so fun to see aunts, uncles and cousins from out of state that we don't get to see that often.

--After a long three weeks, Matt finally came home, yay. Two days after Matt got back from Denver, we left to go rafting in Jackson with the singles ward my dad was recently release as bishop from. I had never been rafting before and was so nervous. Luckily, Matt has ridden the river several times and was the guide for our raft. Rafting was so much fun. I don't know if everyone that was in our boat would share my enthusiasm since half of them got thrown out on our second run down lunch counter, but I definitely would love to go again.

Later that evening after the river runs, Matt, Ethan and I had dinner at a little restaurant in downtown Jackson. We decided not to go to the Bar-J with the rest of the group since Ethan would not be able to sit through the program. Ethan charmed everyone sitting around us at the restaurant and afterwards when we went to the park. At the city center park, there were several gophers that have burrowed holes under the boardwalks. Ethan would giggle and laugh and chase the gophers into their holes, then hold his hands up as to say, "Where did they go?" People got a kick out of watching Ethan chase the gophers.

My sister Krista and her husband Taylor also came on the rafting trip and were nice enough to do some family photos for us up in Star Valley. They turned out so good. Krista is getting to be such a great photographer. Thanks again Krista and Taylor.

Below are some photos Krista took:







--We celebrated Pioneer Day up in Newton at their annual festivities. I decided to run in the Newton dam run after all these years. The dam run is a 5k race from Newton dam down to the center of town. My brother Justin and his wife Shelly also ran. I was surprised at the turn out apparently a lot of people who grew up in Newton come back to run, who knew? There were about 90 or so people that participated in either the 5k or 1 mile run/walk. Justin was beat out in the last few yards and came in second. I didn't do too bad, I came in 24th overall with a time of 26:22.

After the race, we watched the parade from my parents front lawn. Thanks to Ethan and Ava, we were pelted with tons of candy. Ava even got a whole case of strawberry milk from Benson Trucking. Score!

We just hung out the rest of the day and had delicious BBQ chicken and dutch oven potatoes on the patio for dinner. Great end to a great day.

Stay-cation

Matt recently had a vacation from work. Yay, seven whole days without work. I'm sure it was even nicer for Matt. Anyway, we were going to go to southern Utah, but decided just to stay put and do some fun things around home.

His first day off we just bummed around and didn't do much. The next day we decided to take advantage of the warming weather and went to the zoo. It was so much fun. Usually I dislike the zoo since I've usually been in the summer when it is hot, crowded, and the animals are all inside. The past couple of times we've gone, we've been in the morning and its been great since there aren't as many people, its cooler, and the animals are usually out and about. The last time I took Ethan to the zoo he was still pretty young. This time he loved to watch the animals. The giraffes were his favorite. It was fun to watch him get so excited. Later that day we had his 12 mos. Dr. appointment and shots. He did really well. He was even better when he got his sucker after the shots.

Our third day of vacation was the St. Patrick's Day parade downtown. We had never been to it before and thought it might be fun to check it out. It's not really a parade that would keep the attention of little kids for long, so we left after about an hour. Later that day we had our little party for Ethan.

Ethan blowing out the candle on his Birthday cake.

Our fifth day of vacation we went to Park City and walked around, saw some galleries and had some lunch. Later that day we took Ethan swimming for his second time. The first time I took him swimming a few weeks ago the poor kid was motionless. He didn't know what to do. This time, he loved the water. He was splashing around and crawling everywhere it the pool. The best part about swimming, it makes him tired.

Matt and Ethan hanging out next to the bear in Park City.

Ethan splashing around at the pool.

Our sixth day we did one of our favorite activities. We went to temple square and walked around (Ethan loves the fountains) then had lunch at the Lion House Pantry. It was still a little cool and the spring flowers hadn't fully bloomed yet, so it will just give us and excuse to go back soon.

Ethan hanging out at temple square.

Ethan shows his true identity in the tub (note the little devil horns).

Our last day of we just hung out and then took Ethan swimming again a little later in the afternoon. Later that night I gave Ethan his first haircut. His curls were just getting so unruly. I'm sure people think that I never groom my child since his hair was always looking crazy. Its taken me a few days to get used to his new do. Luckily he still has a few curls in the back.

Before, the crazy kid.

Before, crazy kid back view.

After. My, what a sweet little boy we have.

Vacation Continued

So, for the remainder of Matt vacation. Monday we were able to just bum around and get some things done. I have recently been called and the new Den Mother in the Cub Scouts for our ward's wolf pack (8 yr olds) and Tuesday night was my first pack meeting. Ethan was just so to go to his first pack meeting. I'll just say that things were a little unorganized. Apparently our ward has not had scout responsibilities for a few years since it has been at the stake level, so all of our scout leaders are new and have never been involved in scouting before. Hopefully we'll be able to get on track and make a great scouting program for our ward. I have even started a blog for our cub scouts to help keep them and their families updated on our activities. Like Matt and my blog, it has just started but if you are really interested the website it http://www.cimarroncubscouts.blogspot.com/.

Me in my oh so attractive cub scout uniform.

Ethan looking spiffy for his first pack meeting.

Me and Itsy ready to go.

Wednesday we went to Body Worlds 3 with Grandma and Grandpa Stephen's. Ethan actually made it the whole way through. Body Worlds is showing at The Leonardo in downtown SLC (right next to the downtown library). Wow!! What and experience. The bodies on display are actual human body plastinates. You know all that stuff is in your body but it is completely different to just see it laid out like that. Matt and my favorite part of the exhibit was the blood vessels. It was just interesting to see how they are mapped throughout the whole body. I would highly suggest going if you have a chance. Check out The Leonardo's website for more information at http://theleonardo.org/bodyworlds/index.php.

This is the only picture we could get of Body Worlds. They do not allow photos of the exhibit. Wouldn't be able to sell those postcards if they did.

Ethan and Dad.

Whew, made it through.

Thursday, Matt's last day of vacation, we went to my cousin Mckenna's wedding luncheon at the Lion House on Temple Square. It was a beautiful luncheon and reception later that night. Congratulations Mckenna and Adam.

Friday was back to work for Matt at 6:00 am, but Ethan and I decided to take another outing and go to Hogle Zoo with his cousin's Curt Ryan (Jaime) Ava (Justin and Shelly) and of course Grandma Bird while they were still in SLC. What a fun day. I must say that this is actually the first time I have been to the zoo and enjoyed it. The weather was perfect and we were able to get there early enough on a weekday that there weren't a ton of people and all the animals were out. Ethan liked the monkeys, bears, zebra's and the ghost of the bayou (white croc) the best. At least that is what I figured since that is when he did his little grunting and ooh-ing. The kids rode on the carousel and went on a train ride. It was so fun to see Curt Ryan and Ava's reaction on the train ride. Ethan does not know who Thomas (the train) is yet.

Ethan, Curt Ryan and Me at the Asian Highland exhibit at Hogle Zoo.

Ethan on the carousel.

Whew, made it through the zoo.

We had a great family vacation and were sad to see it end. Oh well, until the next one.

Vacation

Matt and I have decided to start a blog in an attempt to keep up with everyone else. My little sister Krista had to show me how to set one up. Isn't that sad. I used to be more technologically savy.

Matt is currently on his vacation. It has been so nice to have him home and relaxed for awhile. We decided to stay close to home since Ethan doesn't do very well in a car for more then a couple of hours. On Thursday, our first day of vacation, we went to Newton where Ethan rode in Grandma Bird's radio flyer wagon for the first time. He was so cute and did such a good job of sitting up by himself. He has been sitting for a few weeks now, but is still a little wobbly at times. We also got to pick out a pumpkin from Grandma's patch.

We stayed over in Newton and on Friday Matt was able to take his boat, the Pequod, out on Cutler Canyon Dam. It was so beautiful. I can't believe that I have never been up there before where it is so close. Justin, Shelly, Ava, Grandpa Bird and Grandma Stephens were able to come with us as well.

Saturday morning my little sister Krista came out to Newton to take a family picture. The last family photo we have is when Ethan was three months old and he was asleep in every shot. Krista took us up to a beautiful spot up the short divide in Clarkston. Later that night, we had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Stephens' before heading home.

That had pretty much been our vacation so far. We do have a few more fun things planned while Matt is home. For me, its just nice to have an extra pair of hands home to hold a comuppets.