Bryce Canyon -Day 2

On day two we did this great little hike to Mossy Cave just outside of the park. A nice short easy hike with a nice big stream flowing through it = prefect for us.

Jed, Bron, Jessie, Reddic, Ty, Aunt Trudy, Michael, Ryan, Don, Carter, Lauren

Ahhhh, so pretty.

Made it to Mossy Cave

Carter so cute

Nevermind Ty's expression here. I just love Reddic in this pic. This is what he did during all our hikes. He was just chillin' in the backpack eating his favorite tag.

Finally met up with my family

My dad and Grady

Me and the kids did not hike up to that hole, but a lot of other people did.

Emily and Grady

Family pic

Me and my hiking buddy

Carter again. So cute! I can't see how Lauren carried that kid so much. He is not tiny.

Playing in the water. Luke is such a great explorer and hiker.

Jeffrey, Tyson, Emily, Devin and Ty

My mom and Grady

These next few pictures make me laugh. Reddic hated the water when Ty put him in it, but loved it when I dipped his feet in. He is such a momma's boy!

Michael and Reddic

That afternoon we went on another hike. This one was a 3 miler. It was by far the best hike I went on while we were there, and of course I didn't bring my camera. Thanks Jeffery for your pictures.

The climb out of the canyon was super steep. Thanks Tyson for carrying Grady.

Yep. The hike out almost killed me. ;)

That night my grandma and grandpa took us out for a nice dinner at a buffet, and then we all hung out and talked about what is up in our lives outside by the hotel. I love these guys!

All the little boys loved shoving sticks into their pockets. My grandparents have 6 (almost 7) great-grandsons and no girls.

Bryce Canyon- Day 1

There aren't many things I look forward to more than our Smith Family Reunions every summer. This was our first time going to Bryce Canyon. It sure was beautiful. The drive took us about 10 hours, but it was worth it, even if Reddic has become a little pill on car trips. The first thing we did when we got there was go on a short little walk on the rim overlooking the canyon with my cousin Jessie and her husband and little boy.

Family picture just before our first little hike.

I have never been so glad in my life, as I was on this trip, that my boys aren't the super-fearless dare devil type boys. They always kept a safe distance from the edge without me even having to remind them.

I just loved the roots on this tree sticking out.

Jed and Grady

Afterwards, we went back to the hotel to visit with my grandparents. My grandpa is suffering from dementia. Only a little over 10 years ago he was a botany professor and scientist at Brigham Young University. It was apparent that he has lost a lot this last year. It is so sad to see him not sharp as a tack like he has been all my life. He still knows and adores all the great-grandkids. They really are the joy of his life. This was Reddic's first time meeting him.

Grandpa and Grandma watching their great-grandkids play. I am so blessed to have such wonderful grandparents. I love them more than I can express.

The boys just looked so cute all snug in their beds.

Once they fell asleep, I couldn't resist taking a few pictures. - you know me :)

Quite possibly one of the cutest things that babies do

 Grady loves Doggy. He wouldn't go to sleep without him. His preferred way of falling asleep is with Doggy's nose in his mouth. I am so glad that I got a picture of this, because now he tries not to do this too much. Doggy was starting to smell horrible. I would wash him and wash him and Doggy would immediately go into Grady's mouth and start smelling again. I couldn't stand the thought of whatever was making it smell that bad being in Grady's mouth. I had a long talk with Grady about 2 weeks ago, and ever since he has been trying, quite successfully, to keep Doggy out of his mouth. So bitter-sweet.