Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Catching a Little St George Sunshine 3

"The family is one of nature's masterpieces." George Santayana
 Well, it's about time you got me out of this trunk!  Joshua getting his hiking shoes on
Megan, Ethan and Grant
 St George has so many fun places to explore ~ this is Red Cliffs.  It has some great hikes for families with small children, a campground, picnic tables and a few puddles to splash in!
Joshua~ 
Give a boy a puddle and he'll be happy for hours, but of course this little guy is a pretty happy camper most of the time!
Grace amd Jacob
 There were some fun tree trunks to explore as well as some caves . . .
Papa Ray, Jacob, Cori, Grace, Grant, Jesse

Brett, Grace and Tiffany
 Brett and Tiffany were the safety guides on the rope course ~ that leads to the upper pools


I love the striking contrasts found everywhere down here in the St George area.

 Grammie Sandy did a bit of exploring with Grant, Grace and Jacob

Brett & Tiffany

Tiffany, Grace, Cori & Eden, Brett
 Going back down was a little more tricky than coming up ~ why is that?
Grace

Grant, Papa Ray, Grace, Grammie Sandy, Sydni, & Jacob
The end of a great day found us at Tuacahn to see Aladdin - we are all ready with our 3-D shades on!  It was a great production and they incorporated a bit of new technology, a few new songs and a couple of new characters - we loved it!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Catching a Little St George Sunshine 2

"Learn from the Past ~ Each of us has a heritage—whether from pioneer forebears, later converts, or others who helped shape our lives. This heritage provides a foundation built of sacrifice and faith. Ours is the privilege and responsibility to build on such firm and stable footings." Thomas S Monson

Grant, Sydni, Grace, Eden and Jacob
We went to visit the Brigham Young home Sunday afternoon after church. The original section of the home, was designed by Miles Romney and the addition was designed by his son.
Megan, Jacob, Grant, Sydni, Tiffany, Jesse, Grace, Ray, Eden
This two story home is lovely and has so many lovely architectural features ~ these are a few of my favorites.
This beautiful fireplace was painted to look like marble.

Many meals for many guests were cooked in this tiny kitchen.

This bookcase/secretary is where Brigham Young wrote many sermons and letters.
The canopy over Brigham's bed

Jacob and Grandpa Ray  in the split tree ~ 

Grace & Grant trying to catch a high five

View from the side yard

 A cotton boll

Eden loves playing with Uncle Brett and Aunt Tiff
Joshua ~ dancing on the lawn at the Jacob Hamblin ' home
Next we went out to the Jacob Hamblin home in Santa Clara
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When we arrived at the Jacob Hamblin home, I saw these lovely rose hollyhocks alongside some purple ones and  thought in my mind how I would love to have some seeds to start some at home.  After our tour, one of the guides, reached down into the flowers and then turned to me and said, "Would you like some seeds from these hollyhocks?"  I was just filled with joy and thought, "another tender mercy!"  I love how Heavenly Father shows his love in so many ways.
Ethan, Megan, Cori and Grant

Beautiful quilts on every bed

One of my favorite areas, this great room was where the children gathered for school, the women  would spin, weave and sew and the family gathered to read scriptures..
Ray, Sandy, Ethan, Joshua, Megan, Grace, Brett, Jacob, Tiffany, Sydni, Cori, Grant, Jesse & Eden

Danielle, Damien & Mason
Eden

Tiffany & Ernie - - -