Musical Playground

One afternoon while in Moab we discovered a wonderful park.  

At first it seemed like just any ordinary park.  However, in a distant corner there was magic just waiting to happen!! 

Musical magic!!  We had found a musical park, filled with wonderful instruments!!

There were xylophones of all shapes and sizes.  

 And there were drums....

and gongs....

All just waiting for children of all ages and sizes to create melodies and harmonies galore! 

Andrew took to playing the drums very seriously!!  If you listen in the background that is Spencer playing "Ode to Joy" on one of the xylophones. 

Evan loved playing the bells. 

These bells spun and sounded just like wind chimes.  So beautiful! 

And the gongs added to the other music in the background!

I can't tell you much I loved this park.  It inspired me so much!! The kids have a blast running here and there trying out the different musical instruments.  I really want something like this in my community.  So, I have been talking to some people and have some ideas.  We will see what happens.  You can see more about these wonderful instruments here at by clicking on Freenotes. 

Oh, and to end our musical adventure, Evan got stuck in the sand in his power wheelchair.   (I would have made the park more accessible, some of the instruments sat in the sand)  Anyway, we had to get him into his manual wheelchair to push his power chair out of the sand.  Not sure how it all happened, but then  David decided he could race Evan.  Here is how that went down!!

 Go Evan!!!

Disclaimer:  I apologize for the quality of the pictures and video, there was a smudge on my lens and I couldn't really tell because the sun was so bright.

Arches and Canyons

After a few days playing in the Provo area we headed to Moab, Utah with David and family, to visit Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.  I have been wanting to go there for several years now but never had the chance.  It was well worth the wait. 

Our first stop was a Prehistoric Museum in the Price, Utah.  Evan had a close call, but luckily survived.

Leah, Spencer, Andrew and Evan enjoyed all the fossils and artifacts at this museum.

Arches National Park did not disappoint me.  It was amazing.  So many wonders to see.  Like this rock.  How did it get there??  How does it balance??

It was fun touring the park with David and his family.  This rock is actually called "Balanced Rock". 

Evan enjoyed the Park as well. 

This group of rocks is called "The Gossipers".  Can't you just hear them talking??

This reminded me of Half Dome in Yosemite. 

 The next day we headed out to Island in the Sky part of Canyonlands National Park. 

Pictures just do not do this place justice.  It was so beautiful. 

You see could for miles and miles. 

We stayed in a cabin along the Colorado River.  It was running fast and high. 

I love how early in the morning the rocks reflect in the water. 

We also took time to visit Dead Horse Point State Park.  It had more amazing views.

And the Colorado River was really close.  The story goes that there was wild horses who were left on this point. They could not figure out the way to get down and they died for lack of water, with the water right below them.  So sad.

This bumble bee was having a grand old time.

We also saw amazing Native American rock paintings.  This is a bear with a small hunter in the front and rear. 

This painting shows people with weapons and different animals

 Every afternoon we had thunder storms.  I loved it, it kept the air from getting unbearably hot!!  Evan hated it!  The last night that David and family camped a huge monsoon passed by, just at dinner time.  They were camping in a tent near our cabin.  We rushed in to eat our dinner inside.  The dinner by the way was one of Sariah's creations.  Pork chops with sweet potatoes in a foil dinner.  Yummy!! 

The very best part of the storms are the rainbows that follow. 

One evening, Mike, Evan and I took a cruise down the Colorado.

It was just at sunset time and so peaceful and beautiful!!

On our way home we stopped at a city along the Green River for lunch.  This was our view from the restaurant.  The river here was flowing high too.

The Museum across from the restaurant had this huge watermelon float.  

These are just some silly boys I know...

and their adorable sister.   

Fourth of July

 We decided this year we wanted to celebrate the Fourth of July in Provo.  They have a wonderful Freedom Festival every year, with a great firework display, parade and other festivities.  And the most important thing we have family there.  Family we love and don't get to see very often.   What could be better?  

Saturday night was the fireworks.  We set up in a nice grassy field in late afternoon for family fun and a BBQ before the fireworks.  John and Amy had just moved to West Jordan so they were able to come by too!!  Everyone came dressed up very patriotic!!

Spencer, Rachel, Leah and little Aiden.

 The very able Evan.

 I love this face!!  I have no idea how to get my head on my lap like that!!

 Leah and Rachel had fun play with the colorful cones.  First they made great dunce hats, oops, I mean clown hats.

How about peg legs??

 "MOM, put that camera down!!!!.  Rachel wondered if these photos would show up anywhere.  Oops!!

 I love this face too!!

Autumn and her Daddy, Ethan.  It was great to see my niece Sarah and her family, except, I didn't get a picture of Sarah.  What is wrong with me???

I love these smiley faces too!!  Leah sure does love her Daddy.

Poor Uncle Joey, he had three major weights on his legs.

It was just a little hard to walk.

Sparkler fun!!

What a great smile on Autumn.

Ephraim, don't touch!!

Me and Leah!!  She had fun with her lighted bracelets.

Silly Spencer hung his on his ears!!

Love was in the air!

My Oh My!!

Baby Blessing

I am in serious catch up mode on my blog. That is what happens when you leave town for two and a half weeks. 

The end of June we drove down south to attend little Joshua's Baby Blessing (like a christening).  I wanted to share some of the pictures we took.  Enjoy.

Joshua Raymond Anderson.  Faces just don't get cuter than this!! 

Auntie Rachel and Joshua

Uncle Joey and Joshua

Great Grandma Viola with her newest grandchild.

Uncle Evan is a magnet for his little nephews and Aiden is no exception!

John, Amy and Aiden

Katie, Brad and their sweet little boys, Kyle and Joshua.