St. George

Our friends, Jess and Scott Orchard, used to live in our neighborhood. They moved to South Carolina before our oldest kids were 2. We visited them in So. Carolina prior to both of us adding a second child to our families. Fortunately, for everyone they were able to move back to Utah in March of this year (I believe). This time they chose to live in St. George. We have been trying for the past 6 months to get down to visit them and see where they live. We finally did it over Labor Day Weekend.
We left late Friday night. Marty had to work that day. The construction work in Utah County was a nightmare so it was a long drive to St. George. We arrived just after 11 pm. The girls were pretty good overall. Brooklyn was asleep, but not Eliza. We all basically went to bed after arriving.
We wanted to keep the weekend low key and relaxing for everyone. On Saturday, we let the kids play in the morning and then went swimming at Jess' Aunt Robin's house. It was fun to have a private pool to swim in. Brooklyn was extremely afraid of everything that day (maybe the lack of sleep?), but Eliza had a blast jumping off the side into the water.
Then we just relaxed and hung out the rest of the day. The kids got along so well! It was almost like we didn't have kids, well minus the occasionally crying from the 2 year olds.
Sunday we went to church, but also wanted to see a little of beautiful St. George so we took a drive through Snow Canyon. I had forgotten my camera prior to this so this is where the pictures start.
Had to get a family shot.
Poor Brooklyn, the wind was blowing her hair everywhere. So either we got her hair in her face or her hand.
These two had a blast together!
Then we took a little stroll around. Nothing intense. I was in flip flops and a white shirt.
Eliza couldn't stand the sand in her shoes so we were privileged to carry her often.
Brooklyn was in her element. She loved climbing around and seeing everything.
St. George is so beautiful!
Just a fun shot.
It was fun to explore.
And see all the sights.
Then we stopped at Pioneer Names. There are pioneer names carved at the top. Jess is related to them.
The kids were determined to climb.
Marty was brave and took both our girls to the top. They were a little scared on the way back down, but made it safely.
I stayed down below.
Two Moms and their clingy 2 year olds.
Eliza constantly has a ton of energy so she was in heaven.
Who knew a girl that has so many fears recently would love hiking so much! She always has though. Then we went back home to relax the rest of the night and to get everyone a drink. It was hot out there.

Monday morning, we woke up and got ready to go home. Then we ended up sitting around and talking some more and letting the kids continue to play. No one wanted to leave.
Eliza loved all the new toys, especially this little gem.
These kids loved playing in the sand!
But atlas, the time came for us to head home. We stopped in Nephi to say hi to family that lives there and eventually made it home. Fortunately, the construction workers in Utah County were all taking their holiday time and it was a smooth ride home.