Bryce, Manti & Family Reunion.....

The much anticipated trip to Bryce Canyon and the Stout Family Reunion finally arrived. Last week we ventured off to beautiful Utah and had a great week with family.





















We spent MANY hours in the car as we traveled up highway 50 across Nevada. I have to say it was a really beautiful scenic drive and MUCH better than the normal boring highway 80 route.



















We hit a pretty crazy sandstorm along the way to Bryce that was insane. You could literally see only 10 feet in front of you. Thankfully it was a very lonely highway and everyone else around seemed to have other things keeping them busy.






















We made it to Bryce and had the most awesome cabins about 250 feet away from the edge of the canyon. It was so peaceful and pretty there.


















We met up with my cousin Lauri and her family at Bryce and all stayed in a row of cabins. The kids were AWESOME! They had a blast playing with all the pine cones, sticks, dirt and whatever they could find to play with.

























This was the coolest tree I have ever seen. It looked like it was seriously something out of a movie. The roots were exposed and it looked like it had just climbed up the canyon. Way too cool!























Elliot, Brian, Lauri, Mark and I took the older kids down the canyon on a great hike. The views were unlike anything I have ever seen. The kids were troopers on the hike and didn't complain too much along the way. It was quite a good hike up so we were all pretty relieved to reach the top.




























After we said goodbye to Bryce Canyon (sniff, sniff)- we drove out to Manti and met up with some more of my relatives. The Mormon Miracle Pageant was that evening. The weather was great, the company was awesome and the Pageant was really neat. A lot of effort goes into the Pageant and I was very happy to have the kids there to witness it. The Manti Temple is very special to my family as it is where my parents, grandparents and great grandparents were all sealed.




















On Saturday we met the whole Stout family in Sandy for a great BBQ. We were able to reminisce about the wonderful heritage that we come from..... my grandparents- Nana & Bumpsy. We all shared memories and stories about growing up and it was great to be together with all the Aunts, Uncles and cousins.






















Wrapping up the week- we met at Temple Square and walked around as a family.




The week could not have been better and I am grateful to have been able to spend this time with my family. I will always remember this great trip and I look forward to the next Stout Reunion.

So much to do..... so little time!

Memorial day came and went by this past weekend..... and man did it fly by. Once again- we packed as much into 3 days as possible.
It all began with driving to LA. We took the kids to Downtown Disney to get their shopping out of the way- so the next day we could just ride the rides over and over and over........... Then we met the Jensens there and had some Awesome Outback (what a way to start the trip) =)





















Scotty picked some awesome Lego's at the cool Lego store and when we got back to the hotel...... guess what he was doing.




















Ellie (after much pondering) picked out a Princess and the Frog pencil, pen, eraser box which is very cool and she has announced that she is taking this to 4th grade. She spent about 1/2 an hour sharpening the pencils in the hotel room.




















Little Macie picked out a cute princess notebook and some Minnie Mouse princess ears.




















This cool picture was hanging up in our hotel room and I really liked it! =)




















Ellie and Ashley were so excited on the bus ride there..... These two were pretty much inseparable the ENTIRE day!



























Macie was very excited on the bus ride too...... Just riding on a bus was very cool to Macie.





















Ell and the kids as we got past the gate. We were waiting for the Jensens to get their new ride (stroller) because on the way into Disneyland- their stroller wheel busted...




















Brian and Eva on the Dumbo ride...... and a couple Dumbo's back is Ell & Scotty. Gotta love that Dumbo ride!




















Scot, Ellie and Macie on the Awesome Jungle Cruise. I don't know why but I always love this ride. Its kind of cheesy but I'm always interested in finding out what new one-liner jokes the guide has come up with. The guy we had was pretty dang good. I couldn't do that job.




















Jody, Eva and Ashley also hanging out on the Jungle Cruise.......

























Our family getting ready to go on Pirates of the Caribbean. Seriously- a 5 minute wait. The lines were awesome! Argggghhhhh Matey!




















Ell and the kids on the Carousel.... a favorite for all kids.



















So, on Tuesday- we decided to go a different way home. Instead of the very boring I-5 route- we went the scenic route to Pizmo Beach.
























We were able to play at the beach for a little bit and stretch our legs and get our wiggles out....



















We also were able to meet up with Ell's sister Ellen and have frozen yogurt in Pizmo and hang out with her for a little while. It was great to see her and catch up. Then we had to hop in the car for another 5 1/2 hours which included 3 movies and lots and lots of snacks and giggles.

It was a very quick trip filled with fun, excitement and great family time. We had a blast with the Jensens, loved being able to see Ellen, had great weather, had little crowds at Disneyland and now have some new fun memories. It was a great trip!

Sylvia...

Scot has been meeting with a speech teacher every Friday for the last year to help him with some of his sounds that are a little tricky. Sylvia was great with Scot as she patiently would wait for him to talk to her and make the sounds. Last Friday was his last day with Sylvia and I have to admit- I got a little teary eyed. She is retiring this year and is a little emotional as well as she says goodbye to her students. We made her a candy board which is my kids favorite end of the year gift to give to their teachers. She loved it and happily posed with Scot for a picture. I will be forever grateful for her patience and help as she helped our Scot with his "sk", "f", "g" and "th" sounds.

Hat Day...

Last week at school- Ellie had crazy hair and hat day. This is what she wore:





















Apparently she was a BIG hit at school. I love that hat! =)