Goblin Valley and Arches 2011

If you've never taken your kids to Goblin Valley you are definately missing out.  Our kids could run around and climb there for days! They literally started running around like headless chickens the moment we got there.

Our girls with cousins Mason, Laine, Sawyer and Kamryn- Tal was down sitting in the shade:)

Best friends- Laine and Haven

Cute Em

Our trip photographer- Anya

 After Goblin Valley we headed to Arches where we spent two days hiking.  Greg and I had been before but we've hadn't taken the kids yet.  Of course they loved it just like I did growing up.  We hiked all the usual hikes- Delicate Arch, Double Arches, The Windows and Turret Arch, and Landscape Arch.  The kids all did great- regular little moutain goats.  Even Em- who I had worried about with her short little legs- hiked and climbed like crazy.

Double Arch.  To my sisters- do you remember climbing up in the Arch on the left
and throwing Cheetos down the other side?

Cousins

Where Greyson spent most of his time- hated it at first!

Looking out the Windows

Delicate Arch- we didn't let them walk around the bowl like we did as kids. 
Maybe next time when they are a little bit older:)

The sand canyon on the way to Landscape Arch.  Sisters- do you remember playing here for hours???

Grey was happy to get out of the backpack and dig in the sand

Haven sliding down the sand

Running down the sand and Kam wiping out

What a fun vacation- we are slowly making our goal of taking the kids to all the state parks in Utah and the surrounding areas as well as a lot of the National Parks.  We are planning Yellowstone for the Spring and hopefully Mesa Verda sometime after that.  I just love that family vacations are free from all distractions and a time to just have fun and hang out as a family.  My girls love all the vacation junk food  and swimming in the pool:)