More family time - Alan, Laurel, Brian and Kelsey

After a great day touring Salt Lake City, we took in a movie with Mark (we can't do much with Robert's head hurt). Mark hadn't seen Toy Story 3, so we went to see that with him. I always cry at the part when Andy and his mom walk into his empty room for one last time.... (tears).

It was perfect timing. After the movie we drove over the Alan and Laurel's home to visit for a while before Brian and Kelsey can meet us for dinner. Alan has done a fantastic job designing the gardens at his house. It's amazing! Marissa couldn't wait to play with her cousins again. Robert found a basketball and shot hoops.

Around 6:30 we met Kelsey and Brian at the Smokehouse Grill. We had never met Kelsey - she is so sweet. We had such a great time reminiscing about when Brian was little...embarrassing him in front of his wife. Hopefully Kelsey will have their baby soon. They are expecting a girl in two weeks. (I hated the last two weeks, but then what can you do but wait...).

Kelsey and Brian - young and in love

Back: Kelsey, Brian, Mark

Front: Mikayla, Marissa, Kailani, Robert, Alan and Betsy

(Laurel didn't feel well)

Cute Cousins: Brian and Marissa

Girl Power!!!

Day in Salt Lake City

Wednesday, we left Provo, UT and headed north to Salt Lake City. On the way there you could see temples (so clearly) from Interstate 15. We had never been to the Jordan River Temple. It was such a beautiful day. This picture almost doesn't seem real because the sky is such a rich color blue.

Marissa, Betsy and Robert at the Jordan River Temple

Continuing north on Interstate 15 we made our way to Temple Square. It's strange how our car always heads to that location when we come to SLC. Actually, since Robert was so young and Marissa was sick the last time we were here, we wanted to show them the spectacular glory of the Conference Center, Salt Lake Temple, and Temple Square.

We were given a personal tour of the Conference Center and allowed to go right up to the very front where the Prophet gives addresses. My dad would love this pipe-organ. It's all I can think about upon viewing it. It's spectacular!

The LDS Conference Center

After the tour we went across the street to see the Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square.

I love this photo - Betsy and Marissa in the gardens.

The Salt Lake Temple

Amazing!

Mark at the Hand Cart Statue - reminder from last year's pioneer trek.

The other side of the conference center doesn't even look like a building. It's amazing how the architect designed the building to be so environmentally friendly, and natural.

Sundance, UT

What a great way to end the day after hiking up Mt. Timpanogas, but than to relax at Sundance Resort. Below is a picture of the back side of Mount Timpanogas - where we would have hiked if Robert didn't have his accident. What a beautiful view.Instead we hiked a very strenuous hike to the Mt. Timpanogas Caves (even harder hike than the mountain because it is so steep). Anyway, we had exhorted ourselves enough that a relaxing ride on the chair lift at Sundance sounded perfect - and it was!

Robert, Marissa (not seen) and Mark

Betsy and Robert high up in the sky!

There were lots of mountain bikers doing bike trails at the resort - I think I would love to ski here in the winter.

Hiking Mount Timpanogus Cave Tour

On Tuesday, July 27 we were going to hike Mt. Timpanosos but with Robert's head injury we didn't want to be out in the middle of the wilderness and have to worry if something should go wrong so we decided to find a local attraction; there were several to choose from. We decided to do the caves at Mt. Timp... little did I know that that would be more difficult than the original hike.

On the way to the cave we stopped on the way along this beautiful river. We enjoyed the refreshing mountain water. I was very leery of Robert going out over the river. He has no fear. Stopping here reminded me of the time we stopped to play in the Colorado River. I love the pure nature of this world. God gave us such a beautiful place. We should really do as I learned in my youth, to enjoy a part of each day in nature.

Betsy with Robert and Marissa out on a fallen tree. See how brave Marissa is - she didn't want to go out since her past fall, but she overcame her fear!

Betsy loves this place!

Brave Marissa!

Venturing Mark

Teamwork

Fearless Leader!

Best friends, companions and Brother and Sister

We are ready to see the caves - unfortunately, the caves are 3/4 up inside Mt. Timpanogos...no way. I didn't know that when I bought the tickets. Even more interesting - this is a "straight up" hike - more strenuous than the hike we would have done if we just hiked the mountain. NO WAY! Oh, well - here we go.

Look how far up we are. We're only 1/2 way

Robert and Marissa in the tunnel

On the way up we saw lots of wildlife: squirrels, snakes, chipmunks, birds, lizards, etc.

This is how close the rattle snake was...too close for me.

cute chipmonk

father and son

This is the craziest part. We were super fast hiking up. We made it 30 minutes before they were expecting us, so they let us go on an earlier tour. The tour itself was amazing. This cave had several - hundreds (thousands) stalemates and stalactites. They were absolutely breath taking.

Amazing!

Looking at Provo Canyon

Hospital Trip in Provo, UT (no fun)

Monday, July 25 was the worst day of my life - no joke! It started out great...actually even exciting. We had breakfast at the hotel, toured Provo a bit before taking Devon and Jessica to EFY. They were so excited to start their week.

Mark and I took Marissa and Robert on a tour of BYU, of course - stopping at the BYU Bookstore to buy BYU apparel, sports gear and fun stuff. One of the things we found (and had been looking for for months) was the game "5 Crowns". YEAH- we can play later tonight.

We also found the activity center. It was a great day. We were having so much fun. We decided it was too hot to do any more outside activities and that we would go back to the hotel to swim before seeing a movie that night. Well, that where it all went down hill...

Robert and Marissa were playing in the pool. Marissa did a back dive into the pool. Robert decided to follow her lead except his feel slipped out from under him and instead of jumping out into the water his feet went straight up which means his head went straight down. I saw the whole thing. At first, I was in disbelieve (for one split second). "Did he just hit his head?" Then he came up out of the water holding his head. OH MY GOODNESS. He hit his head. I ran over - almost falling myself. At first it looked like it was just a small scratch - whoosh. But then I looked further and found a 2 inch gash on the top left side of his head. The EMT part of every mom took over - issuing orders..."Mark, I need you to get ice, Marissa, get me a towel." OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! Then, I was going to have him lay down, but no! Don't close your eyes..."Mark, get the keys, the insurance card and the credit card. LET'S GO!!!" Now, I'm issuing orders without caring if I'm being bossy or not. Robert's head is so scary. I've never seen anything like this on a child. I'm so scared. I put the ice on his head and hold the cut closed. I wrap the towel over the ice and my hand. My other hand is wrapped around Robert for support. I walk him out to the car, get him in the seat and wait for Mark and Marissa.

Off to the hospital. Luckily it's like 2-4 minutes from the hotel. We rush in - they see him immediately. They get him through treage - and then immediately back to a ER room. The rest I can't even write. It was the worst. I was so worried.

Luckily, Robert suffered no signs of a concussion or bleeding on the brain - which is a miracle.

At first they thought he would be stapled, but upon cleaning the wound.



Robert's trip to the hospital

Devon and Jessica go to EFY (Especially For Youth) at BYU Provo

After the reunion we drove back to St. George, UT to have more time with Mark's dad and to do the laundry. Jessica and Devon would spend the next five days away from us, attending Especially For Youth (EFY) at Bringham Young University (BYU) in Provo. They are both so excited to get there. We drive from St. George to Provo on Sunday night and stay at a hotel. The kids check into EFY at 11:00 a.m. on Monday morning, registration card, dinning cards and head over to the dorms. At the dorms they get their keys and start to unload. We will miss them so much!!!

Jessica in her dorm room just after registration

Marissa saying good-bye

Robert saying good-bye

Devon would prefer we didn't take pictures of him, so we only got the one of him and his roommate, Ethan.

Devon and Ethan (EFY roommates)

See you both Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. - miss you. text! call! don't forget us while you are having so much fun!

2010 Lowe Family Reunion at Zion Ponderosa Ranch and Resort

Family is Forever

Hiking the East Rim of Zion National Park

We love Zion's National Park. I remember my first time there with Mark - when Jessica was only 6 months old. We've been going back at every chance ever since...Now that the kids are old enough to do more serious hiking it's even better.

While everyone else continued onto Zion's Ponderosa Ranch and Resort, we stopped along the East Rim to hike (even in the heat).

The view

Up one steep rock: Robert, Jessica, Devon and Mark

Further along the trail we found another fallen tree. We had to get Marissa out on this tree to help her over come her feel of falling. Left: Robert (11), Marissa (13), Devon (15), Jessica (17), and me (ageless).

Mark likes a challenge: All I can say is "Bring it on"

Let's go girls!!

Looking straight down. We hiked all the way up.

After hiking for 2 hours we headed to the Resort to begin the Reunion. Let's go!

Boat trip to Quail Creek and hiking the Boulders

Betsy - finish typing the story now that the photos are loaded!!!

Okay - this actually happened after the Grand Canyon - my fault to have them out of order.

Our family - especially the person we call daddy - loves to hike. We went to the Red Rock Cliffs to find "Fat Man's Misery, but ended up at the Boulders instead (right next to it). The Boulders were beautiful and it was a nice hike from the Boulders over to the Narrows (Fat Man's Misery). Ever since we were introduced to Fat Man's Misery it has become a tradition to make our way through the narrow gap between two huge boulders (one cracked and separated due to weather) every time we come to St. George, UT.

Devon and Jessica exploring the Boulders

Devon leading a safe path for Robert to follow

We finally made it to what we call "Fat Man's Misery" but otherwise known as the Narrows. Betsy, Robert, Jessica, Devon and Marissa ready to squeeze through the narrow passage behind us.

Betsy on top of the Narrows with the camera looking down into the tiny crack - Mark inside looking up at me.

Devon, Robert and Mark come out the end. It was the first time Mark made it all the ay through.

I love this picture! Devon, Jessica, Marissa and Robert on the wind swept and water carved beautiful red rocks of Southern Utah.

Another one of my favorite pictures - Devon and Robert at what Devon calls "the Slide"

The day after we arrived in St. George, UT Dave took us out on the boat up at Quail Creek Lake. It was awesome. We waited until 2:00 so that Taryn could come (she had to work). The lake was fantastic.

Getting ready - apply sunscreen and listening to Mark tell stories.

Marissa and Robert excited to go out on the boat

Betsy enjoying some shade while she can

Robert enjoying the ride

Mark sitting pretty!

Captain Dave! He's our hero.

The girls: Jessica, Marissa and Taryn

Marissa, Jordan and Jessica!

Jessica is a natural at boating - "I'm loving it"

Robert, Taryn and Marissa on the tube

Marissa is looking pretty spoiled - "This is the life"

Devon and Jessica on one wild ride

Garrett, Taryn and Jordan flying on the water.

After everyone had a chance to tube - including Mark and Betsy (no pictures) we switched to knee boards. Marissa just popped up and stayed up with no problem. She had an amazing ride. Robert was the same - he just popped up out of the water and almost did some tricks. Marissa and Robert loved it - I mean they really loved it. Jessica was intimidated by their success - but braved it anyway. After she got her balance she had a super great (and long) ride. Most of the knee boarding was video taped.

Thank you so much to Captain Dave for taking us out for a fantastic day on the lake.