Last week Luke had bronchitis and could not get feeling better. We decided last minute to pack the family all up and head down to St. George to get out of the nasty cold and into some sunshine. (Hoping that a bit of fresh air would help clear up his little lungs, my poor boy.) I needed it too, for sanity sake! (I had been cooped up in the house way too long with sick kids!) We kept breathing each other’s air with nowhere to go, probably bouncing the same sickness around and around because we couldn't get outside to play?!?!
The first morning there we took the kids on a hike to Red Cliffs, one of my personal favorites.
We couldn't have asked for better weather, it was sunny and not a single cloud in the sky.
In College when Russ and I were dating we took a summer Botany class together at UVSC and went on a field trip to Red Cliff's Desert Reserve and Recreation area to see this old cotton wood tree, supposedly the oldest in Utah.
Red Cliffs Recreation Area is located just off of I-15, 15 miles north of St George, Utah near Quail Creek reservoir and is part of the Red Cliffs Reserve.
The camping area is open year round but I like the spring and fall the best when the plants are in bloom and the creeks are running. The fall colors along the creek are spectacular!
There are several marked hiking trails that lead you through amazing red rock formations and to waterfalls and Indian ruins.
Our favorite part is where the trail disappears into the creek bed and you have to scale the walls like Spiderman and use these footholds carved out of the rock, luckily the BLM has anchored a rope for balance but it's steep and wouldn't take much to slip into the water.
Luke was too little to maneuver the steps by himself so here he is balancing precariously on daddy's shoulders. (made my toes curl a bit!)
Bailey and Luke tagged this adventure, “THE COOLEST HIKE EVER!"
Bailey was so excited to see flowers, acting almost like she'd never seen them before.
(I'm sure because it's been such a long winter in Salt Lake)
Some areas are too steep to walk upright so you have to sit down on your bum and slide.
Luke was loving every minute of it!
I did it myself..........in case you are wondering.
Bailey was so brave and did a Great job by herself!
Russ only had to help her a little bit on the way back down.
Bug walked around with my camera for awhile taking pictures of every flower and flowering tree she could find so we could remember how beautiful the flora was on our hike.
It was a PERFECT Day!
It's not unusual for us to run into someone we know down in St. George. I have family that lives there and both Russ and I went to school at Dixie but this weekend we ran into family members from Salt Lake who all had the same idea as us to get out of the winter weather. We met up with
Russell's sister Christine and her husband Reid and their two children Reagan and Cole for dinner. Coincidentally at the Pizza Factory we ran into Russell's other sister Kathryn and her husband John with their five children who were down there for Kathryn tennis tournament and business. It was a bit like a mini family reunion.
Bug and Luke posing with their best friends/cousins.
So good to see my kids smiling and feeling better!
Swimming at the hotel with Reagan.
Out to lunch
Visiting the Old fashioned Candy shop off of Main.
Luke was in absolute H E A V E N!
Dinner at Aunt Annie's house.
Two of my uncles were also in town to do a little golfing.
Paul was here from Alaska and Gord flew down from Salt Lake to meet up for the weekend. Russ golfed with the boys one morning while Annie and I spent the day soaking up some Vitamin D at the pool with the kids.
Bug and Luke were in the water that day a good 8 hours! (NOT an exaggeration by any means!)
Bailey was swimming like a FISH and Lukie did a good job doggie paddling in the shallow end.
We had to bribe them out of the pool for dinner!
By the end of the trip everyone was sunburned, waterlogged, windblown and completely hiked out but couldn't be any hApPiEr!!!
The very last night we stayed in Mont and Sue's condo and Russ took the kids (one at a time) on a scooter ride.
Spontaneous family vacations are the B E S T!
Riley, Bailey, Aly, Saydi and Lukie
The first morning there we took the kids on a hike to Red Cliffs, one of my personal favorites.
In College when Russ and I were dating we took a summer Botany class together at UVSC and went on a field trip to Red Cliff's Desert Reserve and Recreation area to see this old cotton wood tree, supposedly the oldest in Utah.
Red Cliffs Recreation Area is located just off of I-15, 15 miles north of St George, Utah near Quail Creek reservoir and is part of the Red Cliffs Reserve.
The camping area is open year round but I like the spring and fall the best when the plants are in bloom and the creeks are running. The fall colors along the creek are spectacular!
There are several marked hiking trails that lead you through amazing red rock formations and to waterfalls and Indian ruins.
Some areas are too steep to walk upright so you have to sit down on your bum and slide.
Luke was loving every minute of it!
I did it myself..........in case you are wondering.
Bailey was so brave and did a Great job by herself!
It was a PERFECT Day! 
Bug and Luke posing with their best friends/cousins. 
Swimming at the hotel with Reagan.
Out to lunch
Visiting the Old fashioned Candy shop off of Main. 
Dinner at Aunt Annie's house. 
Bug and Luke were in the water that day a good 8 hours! (NOT an exaggeration by any means!) 
Bailey was swimming like a FISH and Lukie did a good job doggie paddling in the shallow end.
We had to bribe them out of the pool for dinner!
The very last night we stayed in Mont and Sue's condo and Russ took the kids (one at a time) on a scooter ride.
Spontaneous family vacations are the B E S T!
