We went on a great adventure to Bryce, Grand Canyon and Zion's with Grandma and Grandpa Cole. We stayed in Kanab and found a great park to have family night and dinner at.
First we visited Bryce.
Sarah had done all the research for this park and gave us her report the night before so we knew all about how the hoodoos were formed and what we would be looking for geographically at this amazing park.
Grandparents waited for us while we took a hike down into the canyons.
This was the wallstreet hike. It is like New York with rising skyscrapers of rock all around you instead of buildings. This lone tree was growing up out of the bottom of the canyon,
Such a beautiful place.
Such a fun hike, but no shade for much of it.
There was a little hike we went on at Bryce that had this cool cave.
Very cool water features too.
Then we went to the Grand Canyon. The bronzed Brighty of the Grand Canyon was still there and the kids rode on him just like I did with Ross and Fran back in the 90's.
Adam did the report for the Grand Canyon and taught us about just how deep it is and how the Colorado River patiently cut out the whole thing.
We all hiked out on the North Rim on the little trail west of the back of the Lodge.
It was extremely windy.
I was so glad to have my Mom and Dad with us through this trip, especially so my Dad could share his love of the Grand Canyon with my children.
After that we split up and hiked to the east of the lodge along the rim over to the little General Store and met back up with Grandparents there.
Then we drove to other lookouts and enjoyed the beauty. Dad was so happy to show us all the things he loves about the Grand Canyon, and we were happy to see it.
That night we had pizza at the park and a movie night. We watched the old Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn. There wasn't enough space in our rooms, so we used the little foyer outside and made ourselves at home.
After all that hiking it was hard to wake up in the morning.
We had to take this little guy to buy some underwear, he only packed 1 pair! He packed plenty of toys and stuffed animals.
The next day was hiking at Zion's. Rachel gave us her report the night before and had helped choose which hikes we should embark on.
We did Lower Emerald Pools.
The Grotto
Weeping Rock
The opening to the Narrows, or Temple of Sinawava.
On the shuttle back down the canyon we had missionary opportunities. Rachel talked to the German man about the church and gave him a pass along card Grandma had given her, Grandma is such a great missionary. Sarah talked to his wife and learned some German. We had fun hearing all the different languages of the hikers.
Hiking Buddies.
Checkerboard Mesa.
Wildlife.
The rock that Tyler took a scout picture with when he was a kid.
Last night in the hotel. Sarah and Rachel stayed in our room with us, but Adam slept in Grandma and Grandpa's room each night, in a queen bed all alone with tons of snuggle buddies. He loved his little sleepovers. One night he fell right out of the bed, onto the floor, but was so exhausted he didn't even notice when he fell out and Grandpa lifted him back into bed.
Goodbye hotel! We had so much fun!
We went to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes together on the way home. We just played in the sand a few minutes together, but it was fun.
Grandma and Grandpa couldn't run on the sand, but they watched us.
We made the kids eat 7 leaves of this bitter lettuce before they could have any more candy. They weren't as happy about that as the picture shows, but they did it.
On the way home there was a crazy storm.
Home at last, safe and sound.
A beautiful rainbow, so perfect.
Sunday at home.
Games as usual.
Hard working Daddy Bishop.
We were home just in time for Girls Camp, starting with one day and night together alone as a ward. The whole Bishopric was able to come, Brother Leybas and Brother Michael (even his duaghter Valerie who became my little buddy), and we had a fantastic time. They dropped Sarah and I at LoMia and went back home. This campsite was infested with bees and I was prepared with bug spray and first aid gear. Everyone kept coming to "Sister Palmer" to be doctored up. Rachel liked that she got to sleep in the tent with the girls.
Ward relays and team building.
Adam and Rachel ready to go.
At LoMia Sarah tried Archery.
She got one right in the bullseye.
One great YCL! Bella's part of the YCL Faith Walk Spiritual Program.
I had such a great time serving with Linda! She is the best!
Our car crew to the lake.
Our hike to the lake. Charalynn, Kira, and Sarah.
So beautiful, we were ready to canoe!
The Relaxation Station, complete with massage machine, happy quotes, uplifting music, and of course a cooler full of chocolate. As YCL leader I'd seen many poor girls freak out, so we made a sanctuary where they could relax and refresh, and invite their girls for special treatment if they wanted to.
Home from camp and ready for Braces to come OFF! But not so, a little longer.
A sunrise hike on South Mountain. We have become quite the hiking family.
On this hike we got lost and wandered quite a bit in the wilderness. We likened it to spiritual matters that if you don't stay on the straight and narrow, or don't know where you are going, you are going to encounter more problems in life than necessary. Thus the need for missionary work to help others know the way, and the need to keep yourself of track. It made for a nice discussion.
Eventually we made it to the little structure at the top.
Back at home there was a petition for swimming. The signs said things like "I need cold pool water" and "If I don't swim I am going to die" and "My blood is boiling."
So we swam, and it cooled us right down.
We got to watch Liz and Rachel, and took them swimming too while the Cornias went to the temple. Liz was decked out.
Rachel fell asleep with Rachel.
What a cutie.
Father's Day!
We love our Father!
Our neighbors James and Maia are moving and brought over tons of stuff. Most we gave away, like a purple bedspread and sports shower curtain and bathroom set.
Some we kept, like the Legos.
Adam loves this police set with the bad guy.
School continues, Rachel finished another math book. Good Riddance!
We got brown toppers before Sarah's MYS summer music camp concert.
She loves music camp!
Very sophisticated.
We also had the Jarvis triplets over for a playdate, well, Jax couldn't come, but Emi and Ali came. Sarah has been babysitting them every Wednesday this year, and they finally got to come see where Sarah lives. Their family is moving to Mesa, so one last playdate before they move is helping Mom and Dad pack.
Tyler has been job hunting. His last official day was June 1.
We are also getting Palmer Law PLLC going.
Sunrise hike up Squaw Peak.
These big guys were everywhere. We hear they are poisonous, so we kept our distance.
The last part was very rocky and steep.
The family I love on top of the world.
The view was amazing.
Ah. The Desert is Beautiful.
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