Travel Woes

On our last day of vacation, the one where you fly all day and wait part of the day in the airport for the next leg of your flight and then fly some more...that day.  It was not very good.  Apparently, it is Thompson tradition for someone to get sick on vacation.  We kept that tradition alive.  Isaac threw up on our drive into Zion's one morning.  We all sort of thought breakfast didn't sit well on his tummy. But come Tuesday morning when both Katie and Chloe have been puking all night long, we suddenly feel that maybe there was something more to it.  Maybe it was a virus.  Then, on the way to the airport that morning, Chuck starts getting nauseous. Chuck has a stomach of steel.  He's never sick to his stomach.

This had to be one of the worst flights ever, especially for Chuck and Chloe.  They both were throwing up in their puke bags as the plane was speeding down the runway for take off and as we're climbing into the air.  I've never felt so helpless.  I've only seen Chuck throw up one other time in my life and that was before we got married.  So this was traumatic for all of us.

The kids and I were sitting together on one side of the aisle and Chuck was in the aisle seat adjacent to us sitting next to two strangers.  He almost filled up his bag he was that sick.  I had another one at the ready to give him if he needed it.  Apparently, so did many other passengers.  Meanwhile, I'm also holding Chloe's bag for her because her tummy decides to empty itself at the exact same time as Chuck's.  They were miserable.

This was the sad scene during our 3 hour layover in Denver. 

Even Chuck fell asleep to escape his miserableness.  Not a fun way to travel.

Thank God, neither Bennett nor I got sick.  Unfortunately, all of Katie's kids came home from school throwing up as well.  John and Isaac were the only ones unaffected in the Thompson clan. On a positive note, it was only a 24 hour bug, so everyone was back to normal the next day - one day too late for all those plane rides.

Uniquely Utah

We have never before been to Utah.  We were pleasantly surprised by the unique beauty of the land. I expected a desert terrain and ecosystem.  There was plenty of that but it also had beautiful mountains and lush greenery.  We spent the week with our dear friends, the Thompsons.  We've sort of been following them around the country and wherever they move, we come visit.  They can't shake us off that easy.  Friendships like theirs don't come around very often.  When you find something that valuable you treasure it.  This is our way of treasuring them.  We spent a full, glorious week with this special family exploring all Utah has to offer.

There was Wes.  This adorable toddler kept us in stitches the whole time.

We went to Park City where the 2002 Olympics were held.  They had

a fantastic ropes course that the kids all enjoyed.

Even Chloe put her American Ninja Warrior skills to the test.

At the end of the ropes course you had to zip-line your way back down.

Neither of my kids seemed to mind.

We had quite a lot of picnics - which we love.

These pictures show the changing landscape as we drove

from Salt Lake City 5 hours south to Zion National Park.

The variety of the landscape and the beauty held me in awe.

I never before saw such beauty in the desert ecosystem.

Our final destination.  We had never heard of this amazing place.

It is only 2 hours north of the Grand Canyon and 2 hours east of Las Vegas. 

The Paiute Indians called it Land of the Straight-Up Rock

After our drive we did this short, little, seemingly unknown hike. 

It brought us to this amazing place!

We like to call this "Cliff Jumping."  It was by far one of our most favorite 

activities.  We came here twice and both times it seemed like we were the only ones here.

These cliffs and rocks were a good 15-20 feet high and very steep.  It was so scary jumping

off but the thrill far exceeded the fear.  And it was an awesome reprieve from the 108 degree heat.

The breath-taking views continued to humble us day after day.

Even cacti look beautiful when the lighting is just right.

The Best Hike Ever! This is The Narrows.  The entire hike is through the Virgin River.

We thought hypothermia was going to set in after making our first crossing.  But apparently

we got used to it because we hiked a total of 6 miles in the River and 2 on land getting to and from it.

A perfect little out-cropping in the mountains to hold our gang.

More Narrows.  You are surrounded by sheer cliffs the entire hike. 

Chloe and Esther, new besties, walked hand in hand the entire way back.

Our view during our picnic lunch.  Don't worry, we were under shade.
Bennett feared meeting scorpions and/or rattlesnakes the entire time.
Thankfully, they never crossed our path.

On our last day we hiked the Emerald Pools Trail.

It was only a 269 foot change in elevation, but it was very steep!

And VERY HOT!  I never thought I'd be hiking in 105 degree weather.

But the views were spectacular.

We made it to the Emerald Pond but it looked more like a puddle.

So it didn't quite make it into the picture.

Goodbye Zion.  We can't wait to see you again!

At the condo we rented, each night we played fierce games of Nertz.

We even taught the kids how to play.

You know I had to throw in at least one sunset picture.

And it wouldn't be a vacation if Bennett didn't get to play basketball.

This particular day it was 109 out.  The boys immediately jumped right into the pool.

We toured Temple Square with Wes.

Lucy, Esther and Chloe seemed to bond immediately and enjoy the same

gift of friendship that we share with their parents.

Bennett and Isaac.  This is one cool 5 year old.  

Every single night ended this way - Nertz.  It's our thing.

Colorado Mallotts

This year's vacation brought us west.  We got to enjoy the Colorado Mallotts for 3 full days before heading on to Utah.  We packed those 3 days full to the brim with fun, outdoor adventures.

We visited the famous Red Rock Amphitheater

Hiked Castlewood Canyon State Park

Were treated to spectacular views

Rode an alpine slide

Spent quality time together

And enjoyed a special tea time at the 

infamous Brown Hotel in Downtown Denver

Bennett absolutely loved his time with his cuddly cousin Logan.

Chloe was thrilled he would still let her hold him.

And of course, as per tradition, we must make fools of ourselves at least 

for one night and play our beloved game of Guesstures.

Good Advice Ralph

Kids really need to be reminded of this on a daily basis.  School, society, friends, media all try to tell you that you are not enough, that in order to be accepted you need to do or be or have this. This is elusive. This never makes any one happy. This changes all the time. Being comfortable in your own skin, happy with who you are and knowing that you are loved is the secret to not needing this. 

World Traveling Gavin

Gavin has had a penchant toward superheroes as long as he has been alive.  For a while, Batman and Superman sufficed. But then his imagination kicked into overdrive and he was never again satisfied with such ordinary superheroes. My archives document the extent to which his imagination travelled when it came to naming and inventing superheroes. When he was 6 or 7 he even made a powerpoint slide show in which he drew each invented superhero logo and listed out their powers.  I never knew who he was going to be from day to day since each new day brought with it a new superhero.

One day he invented World Traveling Gavin.  The title is self explanatory.   But how he traveled the world is another matter altogether.  This particular superhero packed up his RV and went out to rescue and discover the world.

It was sweet and cute and imaginative at 7 years old. But it has become a reality at 16 years old. In my wildest dreams I never imagined this superhero would come to life. Yet he has. In my heart this is who I see traveling the world at the moment:

But the reality of the matter is that my son is now 16 and closing the gap to independent adult faster than I can eat a cookie. Time has simply vanished. I don't know how he has aged and I have not. As my boy was flying over the Atlantic towards Iceland for his layover and then on to Munich, I could not sleep. Not that I was nervous or scared or worried. I just didn't think it right that I should sleep while he was not. Mom instinct kicks in like when your child is sick and you sit up with them all night and hurt with them. I spent the whole night waiting in case he called or texted - I wanted to be 'with' him and ready for when he needed me.

Actually, I guess he doesn't really 'need' me anymore...but I'm here anyways cuz that's what moms do. I am on the adventure with him, albeit vicariously.  I took such delight in the stories and worlds he created as a young superhero.  If anything, my joy and pleasure is increased even more as I watch those dreams become reality for my World Traveling Gavin.

Four Abreast

I used to think that as the children got older, things would get easier.  For the most part they have.  I no longer have to cut their food into tiny pieces, pick up pacifiers off the floor, or wake up at 3 in the morning to feed them.  But some things never change.

I blogged about this way back in 2009....and there's been no improvement since then.  It's time to face it...we have walking issues.  This problem is not going away.  I've learned to embrace it, I'm just not sure the rest of the world has.

Take today for example.  We had to run an errand at the mall.  The children would rather walk over hot coals on fire.  But it couldn't be helped.  I strategically planned our getting there with when it opened so that we could be assured to come across as few other humans as possible.  This is necessary because my children have no idea how to walk in a mall.  They feel they must all walk right next to me.  Four abreast.  Five - Six feet in width.  We are the walking wall.  

They see people coming and squeeze in closer to me.  They wouldn't think of falling in line behind me, who does that?!  The only way we can pass for a 'normal' family is when I issue the orders of: fall back.  They have come to learn that means walk two behind two.  But this inevitably ends up in an argument about who deserves to walk next to me and who has to walk with a sibling.  It defeats the purpose of the command.  We take up a whole isle people!  I am so over this.  

No amount of education has thwarted this phenomenon.  No amount of bribing, cajoling, threatening, or non-verbal glances involving scrunched up eyebrows have driven the point home.  It's hopeless.  I had Gavin snap this selfie while we were walking through the mall.  I told everyone to stop right where they were and pose.  I needed proof that they still do this.  Of course, this embarrassed them to no end.

One more thing since I'm on a rant.  Chloe.  She would prefer to be in my skin.  She walks so close to me that she is almost leaning on me and stepping on my feet.  She pushes me along. I don't think she has ever heard of a thing called 'personal space' and if she has, she doesn't think it applies to moms. If it was couth to still carry an 11 year old around like a toddler on your hip, she would want me to. We are velcro and the stuff that attaches to velcro.  We are peanut butter and jelly.  I am the macaroni, she is the cheese. We are meant to be together, all the time, especially when we walk.  And if I dare say that I don't want to hold her hand because either she or I are sweating like a pig...watch out - it is a personal offense worthy of pouting and sometimes crocodile tears.

So I push on, with one child stuck next to me like glue ever holding my sweaty palm and the other two vying for position as close as humanly possible in the same horizontal area.