Our Sedona Trip

One of the things we miss most about moving from California is our cousins. I didn’t tell my kids that their cousins were coming to visit over spring break. They were SO excited! It was right around Gandalf’s birthday. I had been wanted to visit Sedona since we have moved here. It seemed like the perfect time to pull my kids out of school and have a family day. We left early in the morning and packed up some lunches.



It’s hard to find information on what to do in Sedona. At least what to do with a good size group and a small budget. I had heard about Bell Rock from a Blog Simple As That. We stopped by there first. It was gorgeous! (I still need to practice shooting in manual when it is really bright.) I would be happy to spend the whole day there. We pasted the dome and parked in lot on the right just after the dome. You are required to buy a day pass. We hiked up the trail together. They had a great display about not stepping on the “crust” and the damage it causes when you do. As my boys are all about Leave No Trace, they were more than happy to stick to the trails. We had fun exploring and finding bugs and beautiful flowers.



The view was gorgeous! And I have heard there are caves to explore. We just spent about 20 or 30 minutes here so we could check out other places as well. The boys loved climbing up big rocks and being in nature. We made sure we packed enough water and packed out our snack trash.



It was a great way to spend some time with our cousins. They were pretty great about letting me take pictures.



My niece was nice enough to get a shot of me and baby girl. I carried here in my Baby Bjorn. She loved it. And she loved getting out and walking around when we got to the top. You could tell she felt proud. I try to get in a couple of pictures with my kids. They love seeing pictures of mom too! I love hiking with my family. We need to do it more often. It’s great to be outside and enjoy our beautiful earth. It’s wonderful to be active and teach my family that these adventures bless our lives.



Next we drove to Slide Rock Park. It’s an area with a hike to a fun water area. There is a natural rock slide. It was really beautiful there. The water was a bit cold for me in April. I wouldn’t mind trying it in the summer. We ate our lunch there and explored.



I would love to go back to Sedona next month. I think I would love to spend the whole day at Bell Rock. And get some great pictures as the sun was going down. And then head over to the little town and try out a cute restaurant. I would love to stay till dark so we could see the stars out there. Maybe we will have to get a book from the library. I did hear that slide rock is a lot less crowded early in the morning. Personally I would rather go there with the hubby since I have 4 kids and only half of them are good swimmers.



We loved having our cousins come visit! And we love visiting a fun new place as a family.



I am hoping to take the kids back to Sedona next week! Your your summer holiday is going well!

Our Visit to Independence Hall

While in California our family visited Independence Hall next to Knott’s Berry Farm. It has been on my “To go” list for awhile. And when my mom asked if we would like to go with her it was perfect. My mom used to take us there as children. It wasn’t till I was quite older that I realized it wasn’t the Independence Hall. It’s a great place to visit because it’s free, but it also is a great teaching adventure.


Consistent with Walter Knott’s wishes, Knott’s Independence Hall remains a free-admission resource. Independence Hall presents an audio retelling of the dramatic debate that led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the creation of the United States of America. The Hall also offers historical exhibits including a replica of the Liberty Bell and a 1790s horse drawn carriage. (For more information click the above link)
You receive a free hour of parking in the MarketPlace. And if you purchase a little something you can receive two additional hours. My mom did buy us a little copy of the Constitution, which is a great thing for every family to own.


Above is the room where you can listen to the audio for the discussion about whether they should declare themselves independent from England. They do a great job calling certain people by name to give you a better idea of who is speaking. And each desk has a quill that lights up when they are speaking. It was great to listen to. I had forgotten certain parts myself. And what a great thing to listen to so you can spark additional conversation with our children the importance of Independence. At the end they express their feelings that they hope future generations will recognize the sacrifices they have made. It was wonderful to share this important event in American History with my kids. And my kids really enjoyed it.

There is also a large room with replica’s of The Declaration. And they also have a little picture for each person who was a part of this moment in history. And a little bit of information about that man. They have statues showing General Washington and Betty Ross.

I love this picture of my children shooting at this red coat. I took it just for my dear friend Alex who is on summer holiday back home in England. I would love her to take her children here and see what she thinks of the place.

We were so glad to bring Gandalf’s dear friend Percy with us as well. They have been friends since they were babies and he is always a delight. And quite a ham when it comes to taking pictures. And Percy also loves history and all things America. We had a great time! Baby girl loved seeing American Flags. They make her happy. And I love how Draco will randomly start singing the Star Spangled Banner. He has learned so many songs at his school about our country. He loves singing songs about America.


"Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved…”  Richard Henry Lee

"We must be unanimous; there must be no pulling different ways; we must hang together."
— John Hancock, July 4, 1776

"My hand trembles, but my heart does not."
— Stephen Hopkins, Rhode Island delegate

 

"We hold these truths to be self-evident:
"That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…” Declaration of Independence

"May the foundation of our new constitution, be justice, Truth and Righteousness. Like the wise Mans house may it be founded upon those Rocks and then neither storms or tempests will overthrow it."
— Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, July 13, 1776

It was a great day with my mom. I am so glad I could take my children to this important place, even if it is only a replica. I am really hoping we can save and go on tour next summer with MCO, the wonderful choir my husband and sons sing in, and see even more historic and important places. I am so thankful for this great nation and the brave men who risked their lives to stand up for what they believed was right. I don’t think we are the best country in the world. But I love this country. It belongs to me and my heart swells when I hear song’s about our country. I have a testimony that these men were inspired by God to create this nation. I am so thankful for the freedoms I enjoy. I am so thankful that this country was prepared for the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A Gospel that can bless the whole earth. A Gospel that has established a church that has more members outside of the United States than in the United States.
I have yet the wonderful opportunity to travel outside the United States. But I hope that someday I will. And I hope that I can teach my children to love and respect this country. And to be like those brave men and stand up for what is right. I certainly don’t agree with everything our country has done. And as my children grow they will learn about that as well. I want my children to love this country and defend it. But also to love other countries because they too are our brothers and sisters. And my sons might just be a missionary in a distant country someday.


I love this country. And I am so thankful for Independence Day so our family can reflect on the courage of those brave men. We can remember and show our gratitude for what they have done. God Bless America.

And who can resist a silly boy. Who loved photo bombing pictures of Independence Hall. I love him dearly.
For more quotes about our country click here.

CLAS Ropes Course

So proud of this boy!

In our first week of Summer Vacation I gathered my four kids and headed to Utah for the week. One of my dearest friends had a special birthday and her oldest daughter (and also dear to me) graduated High School. After her graduation ceremony we headed to the CLAS Ropes Course to have some adventures.
I absolutely LOVED it!!! As an adult leader at our youth girls camp I was able to watch and encourage our girls to try hard things when we had adventure groups come and set up challenges. Leaders were able to participate only if there was time. I was always a little bummed that there was never any time. I love when our young women can participate in fun adventures. Sometimes those things are just reserved for the scouts.
Here I was able to experience some fun adventures with my children. My family was a little late as we stopped off at the new Prove City Center Temple real quick. We missed the game, or challenge, that requires the group to solve a problem through trial and error and talking it through as a team. They did a great job challenging themselves and not fighting over the problem. Then we were able to get going on the physical challenges that were available. Our graduating girl picked what obstacles she wanted to do for that day.


Earlier these girls asked if I was going to do “the ladder” and I was like, “I want to try it, but I don’t know what you are talking about…” The first challenge is a huge ladder. Huge. And each rung of the ladder gets farther and farther apart. It’s best to travel up with two people in case someone needs helps. I watched our graduating girl and our friend’s son go first. Julie told me she made it look easy. But it didn’t look easy because I know how athletic she is. They made it to the top and then got to zip line down.
I went next, and they parried me with her friend Megan. Oh, and did I mention that I was so careful to pack clothing and shoes for my boys, and things for baby girl, than I gave very little thought I what I was wearing. I  wore a shirt and some jeans. And I figured that was fine. But totally spaced on bringing my tennis shoes. I was wearing ballet flats. And my favorite pair that were at least 3 years old. No tread on the soles at all.

Helping pull their friend on  the zip line

I was able to do the first and second wrung well enough. Although next time I would prefer being on the other side as my right leg is more flexible. Megan encouraged me to use the knots in the rope to help me up climb up. That wasn’t happening with my ballet flats. I ended up using her leg to step on so I could make it up. And you remember each wrung gets harder and harder. The next level I caught a break because the wire and rope were wrapped around. I was able to put my foot in between them to lift myself up. But the last one seemed hopeless. I couldn’t used my upper body strengthen to pull myself up. I couldn’t even get my leg that high, let alone if I could pull myself up that way. And I didn’t have enough tread to use the one knot in the rope to hoist myself up.

Cheering section

Megan climbed back down (again) and offered her help. I totally couldn’t do it without her. When we got to the top we helped each other with our metal loop things and walked across a rope to the pole area where we could zip line down. It was my first time zip lining ( I have always wanted to) and I loved it. I made sure to call my kids over from playing so they could see that mom had gotten to the top.

The ladder looks bigger in person

When I got down I found out Gandalf had even done some zip lining. They can attach kids (or adults who can’t climb up the ladder) and drag them back and let them go. It’s great because they can decide how high they want to go. I was so proud of Gandalf for trying a hard thing!!! At Scout-O-Rama he said he would never do that.



Draco said he wanted to go as well. But got scarred at the last minute. Then Greg, our guide who helped with the ladder part, came over and talked to him. I stepped back and let him do what he does best, putting people at ease and encouraging others to try their best. He let him hang on the line, and while holding on to his legs, walked him back and forth. When Draco was feeling comfortable he let him choose how high he wanted him to go. Draco LOVED it. And you could tell he felt really good about it.




It is good for all of us to encourage ourselves to do hard things. To try new things. And even if we “fail” or don’t make a goal we can be proud and feel good that we tried. And that we pushed ourselves. I can’t wait to go back (with the right shoes) and do it again. They also have a rock wall I want to do and the one where you climb really high and jump out to the huge ring and try and grab it. Our group also did this giant swing thing, but I passed because I am pretty sure I would throw up. I can’t even swing on normal swings without getting nauseas .




The ropes course often has scouts, families, and recovery groups use their faculties. I loved our guide and how encouraging he was, without always giving the answers. He was so patient and great with my kids. This was such a good fun expereience for them. They couldn’t wait to tell dad. And asking for screen time didn’t even cross their minds. I think this would be a great place for a family reunion. I would highly recommend this to my Utah friends or any others that would be in this area. It’s beautiful there. And working hard and encouraging others helps our relationships grow. I know I am so grateful to a cute 17 year old that I already liked, who helped me so I could do my best. It was tough, humbling, and glorious.


Here is my friends son and cousin who climbed that thing in under 5 minutes. He can scale walls that kid. I had to take that much time just to rest between levels.
Check out their website here for more information…