Camping at Bryce Canyon

Last weekend we took the trailer out for yet another adventurous trip. We decided to go and see Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. Jayson and I both really love Utah and always love when we go back there and this trip didn't disappoint us at all. We drove up on Friday with our neighbors Shaun and Krista. What should have taken 4 1/2 hours to get there took us 6 hours instead. Pulling a trailer is not much fun when you have to drive as slow as a turtle. We left 80 degree temperatures for um... I think the high for Friday was 40 and snowing!!! Love to camp in the snow, especially with a trailer and a much needed HEATER!!

By the time we got the trailer hooked up it was then time for dinner and a movie.
Saturday, Krista and I got up early and took a 3 1/2 hour horseback tour through the Red Canyon (just northeast of Bryce Canyon). It was my first time on a horse and I loved every minute of it! My horse's name was Wrangle and she was a bit sassy as Krista put it (apparently just like me I was told) Her horse was Buford, slow and did it's own thing (just like her). Anyways, it was just beautiful! Once we got back, we had lunch and then went exploring in Bryce Canyon doing some sightseeing. Later that afternoon Shaun and Jayson took the dirt bike out for a bit of fun and did they have fun. The dirt bike was so muddy we must have taken 60 more pounds of mud home with us. We also all enjoyed a bike ride around the campground with the dogs.

On Sunday we got up and went for a hike to Mossy cave. That was yet another beautiful sight to see. Shaun and Krista left after the hike, so we were on our own as a family. It was much needed time for just us. That afternoon we did a great hike in Bryce Canyon that was about 2 1/2 miles. It was gorgeous!! I wish we would have done that hike again.

Monday we got up and went to see part of the Staircase Monument. I had no clue it was going to be 30 miles + of off roading. Gwen and Jayson were having a ball, me on the other was trying to keep my breakfast down. Not a good road for anyone who gets car sick. After the off road adventure we went to Kodachrome State Park. We had a picnic and enjoyed yet another hike, this time Magnum was allowed to join us.

All in all it was a fun and relaxing trip. I always seem to enjoy going back to Utah. Maybe one day we can get stationed there again. There is just something about the people, family life, seasons, and just the beauty of Gods creation there that I love.

Wild Animal Park

On Thursday I met up with a couple of friends from high school and their little ones and enjoyed the day at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. I hadn't been there in 10 years! Gwen was in hog heaven. She absolutely loves animals especially her giraffes. We were also fortunate enough to see a brand new baby elephant that was born on Monday.

California fun.

Gwen, Magnum and I spent this past week visiting family and friends in California. It was a much needed break from the desert. I was in love with how green it was this time of year. But I was very bad at capturing moments from each visit we had with people. It seemed as if we had a playdate everyday withe someone new. We also were able to celebrate my moms birthday last Monday. (She can now officially order from the back of the menu! HA. love you mom!)

Hanging out with Molly and her twinners Audrey and Ellie

Not sure what she was pointing to?

Going to visit Grandma and Grandpa at work before Grandmas birthday dinner

Having a snack

Say Cheese Grandpa!

I'm not used to having family be able to watch Gwen so I could get some errands done while I was home. My sister watched her while I enjoyed my time at the DMV renewing my drivers license. Thank you again Aimee for doing that for me! Here are some pictures of Gwen and Lyric (her cousin) playing. They are only a day apart. When they were together it felt like having twins. Thank goodness God only gave us one to deal with first. Whew!

They were having some kind of conversation. Not sure what it was about though.

Having a lunch date at Claim Jumpers

Bath time fun.

Last Saturday Jayson and I watched Haden for the night. But, at bath time Jayson was not home, so I attempted bath time on my own. I orginally thought to give them a bath one at a time, but Mr. Haden wanted no part with that idea. He was going to get in clothes or no clothes. So, there you have it... Gwen's first bath with a boy! They sure had a great time. I don't know how you mommies out there do it with twins or two for that matter. It's the getting out of the bath tub thats the hardest. You're clothing one, while the other is doing the naked run. And who do you think that was???? Yes, our little Gwen loves to run naked every night.

Easter Day

The morning of Easter we brought Gwen downstairs and the first thing she saw was her Easter basket from the Easter Bunny. All she could do was point and say oooooooohhhhhh! When she looked in the basket all she cared about were the Easter eggs. She could of cared less about the dvd, the my little pony, a book, and even the lose candy. All she wanted were the eggs that made noise. It was too much fun to see her so excited.

Untitled from Kristina Rickard on Vimeo.

After seeing everything in the baskets, I went outside to hide some eggs for Keira and Gwen. While I was doing that... yes... the sprinklers came on! That was Gwen's 3rd Easter Egg hunt.

Then it was off for some Easter Brunch at my friend Jamie's house. We had some great conversation, yummy food, and yes another egg hunt. Gwen's really got the idea down now!

After Brunch we were off to the strip to enjoy some nice weather and people watching, because thats really all you can do down there when you have a toddler!

Squadron Easter Picnic

After we took some pictures by the jet, we were off to the squadron Easter picnic. Yes, Gwen's 2nd egg hunt (not including the practice round we did at home). She had on her pretty Easter dress that Grandma Peggy bought, but it was not park friendly. We had a bit of trouble playing on the playset. Gwen took a couple of headers because her foot got stuck in her dress while she was climbing the stairs. Poor thing, has a couple good bruises on her forehead now.

To make matters a bit worse, one of the pilots dressed up as the Easter Bunny. Now, Gwen has never met the Easter bunny and if it was anything like Santa, she was going to dislike him a lot. Well, she disliked him A LOT!! She had a hard time egg hunting because of that Easter Bunny! She found a few eggs at least with the help of daddy.

We had to call the picnic short because of fear, and well... it was way past Gwen's nap time and she was letting us all know!

The Easter Bunny

The squadron families

Egg Hunting is what she does best

Gwen was not a fan of that Easter Bunny!

pictures by the jet

I had some good friends come out to visit us this weekend, so we took them to see Jayson's plane. Gwen enjoyed running around with her friend Keira. We did get a few good pictures. Enjoy

Gwen seems to find dirt anywhere~

Shes too cute

Mommy and Gwen portrait

Keira and Gwen

Arnold Family

Family picture by the jet 2010

Jayson walking with the girls

Another fun day....

at the children's museum. They created a new exhibit about the Berenstain Bears, but Gwen was only interested in the Bob the Builder exhibit again. I really don't think she is going to be a girly girl. She loves to hammer things, put balls into different tubes to see where they come out of, build with huge legos, and so much more.

How tall am I daddy?

Lets put this and myself in here
The ball goes in there and up


Daddy and Mommy enjoying themselves sooo much

Daddy, "Look! The ball is floating in the air! How cool is that!"

Feeding ourselves is fun!

Gwen's first time eating yogurt on her own. Oh and what a mess she made! We are still trying to figure out how to keep the food on the spoon while transporting it into our mouth.