We love Moab

We have done more fun outdoor stuff in the past 2 months, than in the last 4.5 years combined. How did we ever live in Texas?! I think the only way we survived without going stir-crazy, is by having the farm which took a lot of work. I could tell when we were living in the suburbs for a few months, that's when I was really missing the adventure and excitement.

So when some old BYU friends, Stephen and Krista Sidwell with family, posted on Facebook that they would be going to Moab for their spring break, we jumped on the chance and decided to join them. Not knowing what the weather would be like and having such short notice, we chose to stay in a hotel. This is a new experience for us. But of course the last time either Joe or I were in Moab it was without 4 kids. It made us realize that in order to make these short trips affordable, what we really need is some type of trailer. I vote for a tent trailer, which is cheaper and can easily be towed behind the minivan, thus eliminating the need to get a different car. A tent trailer is a million times better than sleeping in a tent, with real beds, stove, and even a fridge.

Joe left work a little early on Friday, we packed up and left by 5pm. Having a nursing baby makes the trip a little longer, but we were checked in by 9.30pm. Saturday morning we hiked Negro Bill Canyon up to Morning Glory arch.

What we thought to be a 4 mile hike, actually turned out to be 6 miles. With 7 little kids, a stroller, dog and out-of-shape parents, this hike took us almost all day. But it's a fun hike, with many creek crossings, some shady spots, and of course beautiful views.

The first time I ever came to Negro Bill canyon, was on my second date with Joe. After our first date, he invited me to go camping with him in Moab the next weekend. I love camping, and had only been to Moab once before, so I jumped on the chance. One night we decided to go hiking at midnight (something I might never do again at this point of my life) under a full moon. We didn't hike all the way up, but stopped a this cool spot where there's a large shallow cave up above the hiking path.

Call us nuts, but we decided to bring the stroller on the hike. It's a jogging stroller with 3 large wheels. We were confident it would go over just about anything. It did, but there were also 5-feet drop offs, boulder climbs, and creek crossings where it simply had to be carried.

On the way back we carried Miles, and strapped the stroller to Joe's backpack...... much easier!

The hike pretty much wore us out, but we wanted to check out some "little" dirt jumps in town. It made me so happy to see the kids having fun doing something their dad loves so much.