Daddy Daughter Weekend

Years ago, Graci pointed out that I took the boys on father/son camping trips, but didn’t do daddy/daughter camping with the girls. So we started an annual daddy/daughter camping trip. Several of those have blog posts on this site. But after 5 years of camping trips, the girls decided they weren’t really tent campers. (Given wheelchairs, blindness, lack of appendages, etc., who can blame them???) So we changed our annual daddy daughter trip to renting an Airbnb for two nights. We go to a movie, go out to eat, play games and watch more movies at the Airbnb, and just have a generally fun and relaxing time. I’m so grateful to have these amazing daughters!

Braille Uno!

Englestead!

From the first time I did Englestead in 2019, I have been excited to share it. Saturday I got the opportunity  to take Christi, Parker, Christi's brother Matthew and my old friend Mike Dorius. We started off with a 300 foot rappel, went through about 10 more rappels and then entered Orderville Canyon. As we went down Orderville we were able to play in the flowing waterpark areas. 12.5 hours. About 8.5 miles. We ended up hiking through the last section of the narrows in Zion National Park. Such a fantastic (and quite long!) day. Can't wait to do it again:) 

Daddy Dates!

 Two weeks ago our town festival, Fort Herriman Days, was in town. There was a parade, a carnival, a big fireworks show, lots of fun. On Saturday morning I walked Elli down to the festivities. I wasn't sure how she would respond, but she used to really like rides, so I decided to try it with her. I asked "Elli, do you want to go on a ride?" In her unique way she replied, "Yes." "Do you want to go on a big ride or a little ride?" "Big ride." I figured I'd start out on a medium ride so we got on the Scrambler (sometimes called the Sizzler). She did pretty well on it and seemed to enjoy it. Afterwards I asked her if she wanted to go on another ride and she said yes. I asked, "A big ride or a little ride." "Little ride." So we rode the Ferris wheel (big in height, little in impact on your body). Afterwards she asked for another big ride, so I took her on the biggest, craziest ride there. You're clamped down with one of those large body clamps that comes over your shoulders. You're on huge swing arm that takes you above parallel with the ground as you swing on a radius of about 30 feet. At the same time, the seats, which are at the end of the arm, are spinning like a merry-go-round. It's pretty intense. She liked it as it started going but got pretty clingy by the time it was full speed. Afterwards I asked again if she wanted to go on another ride. Yes. "Big ride or little ride?" VERY emphatic "LITTLE RIDE." So we did the Yo-yo, which turned out to be her favorite. We had some lunch from a food truck and headed home.

Later in the day I went down with Lexi, Sophi, Jesi, Conner and Graci. Elli came again and enjoyed more rides. Really fun day, and it's great that it's only a couple of blocks from our house:)

Fall Break in Moab

What a blast. We stayed three nights in the beauty of Southeastern Utah. Jesi, Lexi, Xander and Sophi were with us, along with Jesi's friend Paige. We visited Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, went horseback riding in the most amazing old west setting you can imagine, did some rappelling, and even had time to soak in the hot tub. All in all a GREAT trip. So grateful to have Christi Green as my partner in crime for all of this:)

Balanced Rock - Arches NP

Double Arch - Arches NP

Lexi was so proud that she wedged herself all the way back here on her own!

Sophi got a bit stuck and Jesi helped her. Then of course they needed a photo!

The setting was unbelievable. Jon Bon Jovi recorded the video for "Blaze of Glory" on one of those mesas.

Our little horse lover!

Tandem rappelling with mom:)

Xander braves a big drop.

Jesi overcomes her fear of heights.

Shafer Canyon overlook - Canyonlands NP

Mesa Arch - Canyonlands NP

Notice Delicate Arch faaaaar in the background:)

Grand View Overlook - Canyonlands NP

Green River Overlook - Canyonlands NP

This guy is so amazing! So grateful he's our son:)

The sand at Sand Dune Arch is about as soft as you'll ever experience. Shoes not necessary.

So. Much. Sand.

A few pictures with Taylor, Parker and my dad from trips down there in 2008 and 2009. So cute! Miss those kiddos.