Finally a family vacation

WARNING: There are going to be lots of pictures and commentary on this post (and it now looks like continuing posts) This is purposeful in the event that I might not ever get around to scrapbooking it..(Yes, I have come to terms with the idea that I just don’t have time to scrapbook.) Anyway, you have been warned.
We finally ventured out. We saw fall break as a perfect opportunity to plan a much needed family vacation. We haven’t really gone much of anywhere since before the twins were born. We decided to take “the rig” (as it is affectionately called by Carl) or aka the trailer down to Moab. We stayed in a RV park so I am not sure it would be called camping....We had a swimming pool, playground, and hookups (water, electricity, heat, cable TV etc) for the trailer. (As side note on the TV, I am not so sure how I feel about having one in the trailer but it did entertain the kids on the rainy day and thanks to the remote having a battery we were able to turn the thermostat on to have heat. The batery for it died.…Yes, somehow we forgot that minor detail on the check list. the remote to the rescue)
The RV park was great for the swimming, the playground, and the proximity to Arches. It kept the kids entertained and that was the idea. It was great to have a base camp. The disadvantages were the spaces are all  very well-designed to tightly fit lots of trailers and so you are right next door to your neighbor, which was kind of weird at first and made me realize we should have hung the blinds..and also that Bekah and Jacob have very loud cries…I am hoping the nice expensive “rigs” next to us had good insulated walls because nighttime was a little rough.
We didn’t take any pictures of swimming as we were both too busy in the water trying to keep all four kids’ heads above water. (Yes, again forgot to put life jackets on the check list. As you can see, we are not professional vacationers) Jacob really enjoyed his first time swimming and Bekah well not as much.. She was pretty tense. The weather, when it wasn’t raining, was perfect for swimming and the pool was heated. The pictures were mostly taken at Arches as you will see. Overall, except for the getting to bed, the kids did well and we had fun. Hopefully, our next vacation won't take us 3 years to get around to.

Arches here we come...

At balance rock.. (Ethan commented while seeing this that when he got big he was going to grow claws on his hands and toes and knock it off/over)

 Aww, if only they were like this all the time.

 An Arch (obviously right..not sure the name)

 Mom and the kids.

 Family photo op

 Jakey loved the backpack. I love this picture. He is just so happy all the time.

 Landscape Arch, Jakey was there too, just happened to put Ethan on that same side so he is hiding.

 Kimee taking a break.

 Helping, I promise, not hindering.. (quick little lesson on the purpose of these markers)

 He loved to climb everywhere.

A good little hitch-hiker.

All the beautiful things to see and he throws rocks in the water.

 Carl's shot of this tree.

 Another arch....

Every good hiker needs a power chocolate snack break right?