Easter Campout

Spring Break finally lined up with Greg's family's annual Easter Campout.  We have heard about it for years and were so excited to join in the fun.  We headed out early and made a slight detour to the Golden Spike Monument.  Every time we drive to Utah we see the signs for it but are always in too big of a hurry so this time we made it one of the destinations.  Honestly it was a little bit of a let down (there isn't actually a Golden Spike) but it is crossed off the bucket list.

Next stop, Antelope Island, another bucket list item crossed off.  This one was pretty cool; unique to see bison while looking across the lake and seeing Salt Lake City.  On our way off the island Andrew was sure he could see a porcupine in a tree WAY off the road.  We didn't believe him and tried to drive on but he insisted so Greg stopped and the two of them hiked out there.  When they didn't return quickly and started circling the tree we figured it must be legit.  We all hiked out there and were lucky enough to watch this porcupine climb around in the tree.  Andrew has definitely passed me up on spotting skills.

From there we headed to my Grandma Lula's 95th Birthday Party.  Not a great pic but it was awesome to see lots of family and talk with Grandma for a while.

The next morning we headed to Nevada and stopped at Kolob Canyon for a beautiful hike.  Kate was not sure about hiking so she was given the responsibility of taking pictures.

Do you think it's a cougar?

It was kind of windy but beautiful up there.

Then we finally arrived in Mesquite and headed to the campsite.  There were a bunch of cool rocks that the kids loved to climb on.  They also came in handy for hiding Easter eggs and having a major Nerf war.  

Lily was a surprisingly good climber.

Can you see our tents off in the left corner?  Mack and Andrew slept in McClain's truck on the right.

Andrew and Emily climbing.

Ready to find Easter eggs.

The Easter eggs were traded in for prizes and wow we had a lot of prizes.  5 tables worth of prizes.  Those kids were so lucky and happy.

I have never been camping with this kind of food.  Nani is incredible.  We had fabulous food everyday complete with dessert.  One night she pulled out 8 different kinds of cake!  Seriously - she is amazing.

Lily and her Papa

Ari, Natali, Piper, Cecily, Dahlia and Lily

Andrew and Greg way at the top of the rocks.

Natali put colored streaks in all the girls hair...then it got crazy and they put it on the boys.

Luckily, a day or two later, Aunt Neelie came to the rescue and brought some shampoo and water to wash the color out.  Andrew and Mack were very grateful.  

Epic Nerf war- Kids Vs. Dads

They had a blast.  Nani had made a bunch of special belts to hold the bullets and we all brought our own guns.  It was awesome.

Our last night was a talent show.  Natali and I represented our family by singing Don Gato - made incredible with Tanya's husband Maurice acting out the part of Don Gato, complete with rolling in pain in the dirt.  He was hilarious.

Mack, Talon, McClain, and Ethan did a skit where they put make up on someone.  I was not so happy to be picked by Mack, but I guess I should take it as a sign of love.

This picture was taken at the end of our long fun hike to see the petroglyphs.  It was such a fun trip but camping in the dessert is dirty and hot.  Thank goodness Nani is such a planner - we had everything we needed and the kids had cousins so they were as happy as could be.

On the way home we stayed at the Pierces to watch conference and hang out.  We even went to an Israeli place for dinner in prep for Easter.