We visited Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks this year. It was the first time our children have been there. The grown-ups liked hiking around and seeing the awesome scenery the best. The younger kids definitely preferred swimming in the pool and watching cable TV. (We don't have TV anymore as we never updated to a convertor box.) The kids all really liked to watch the show "Fineas and Ferb". We stayed at the new Best Western at the entrance to Bryce Canyon. The pool was big, warm and clean. The kids spent hours there, literally. There were lots of other families, which was nice because we weren't as embarressed when Carter did cannon balls into the hot tub! Bethany and Ryan liked to practice their new skills from swimming lessons in the hot tub too... They looked unconvinced when I reminded them that the hot tub was for relaxing, not rough-housing.
Hiking the Navaho/Queen's Garden Loop was our most strenuous hike by far. The Navaho side is steep with lots of switch backs. Ryan didn't enjoy hiking down. I forget that he struggles with balance until we try something like this. He wasn't a happy camper so no pictures! (His choice not mine.)
When we reached the bottom and leveled out, Ryan was back to his normal cheerful self.
Tree huggers! We enjoyed smelling the ponderosa pines. They're supposed to smell like vanilla.
Don't we look happy? I think taking pictures is good for moral! Everyone loves to smile for the camera in our family. Except Scott of course, but he's a good sport.
Bristlecone Pine trail
Camille was a great help on our vacation. She has a great attitude, and was our cheerleading squad during the trip. She also drove all the way to Bryce Canyon and back, including the switch backs in Zions. (And we all lived to tell the tale!) 
Camille has an affinity for big trees!
Super Carter!
Beautiful Bryce Canyon, Bristlecone trail
Bryce Canyon visitors center
This is a picture of the Zion's National Park nature center. Bethany and Carter thought the ranger costumes were pretty cool... The realistic animal puppets were nice too.
Never too old for stuffed animals. :)
Is it a mole or a beaver?
"I'm coming to get you!"
Ranger Carter
We loved the shuttle buses, so much easier than trying to find parking, not to mention buckling and unbuckling.
One of the few skinny squirrels we saw. They are all over the place and almost tame. The kids didn't feed them after we threatened to take away their allowance for a year... There is a $100 fine imposed for feeding and or touching the wildlife. Turning in violators is encouraged... Ryan had to be satisfied with spraying the squirrels with his water bottle.
Wading in the Virgin River which runs through Zion National Park. If we knew we were allowed to swim in it we would have been more prepared. It was so hot and we were just going to do a few short hikes in the shade, but Scott had great memories of hiking up the Virgin River as a scout so he suggested we try it. It was so much fun, we loved it.
This is the entrance to the Narrows, a popular hike up the Virgin river between narrow slot canyons. We had to turn around after about 15 minutes, because the water was too deep for the kids. We hope to do this one again when everyone is older.
Soaking wet Camille! We found a great swimming hole. There was even a rock to jump off into the river. Zion National Park was the favorite place we visited. Everyone liked it, that's rare in our family, so I'm sure we'll be back!
