Alex is Baptized • May 26, 2012

On Memorial Day weekend, Chad baptized Alexander Sterling, his firstborn son.  I'm not going to get all weepy on you, but it was a very touching day, as have been all the other baptisms of my grandchildren.  Such a lovely moment! There were good talks, one by Kristen and one by the other mother, and the Bishop gave nice remarks.

Afterwards.

Kristen and the other mother had really set out a lovely array of refreshments, with all of Alex's favorites for him.

 

A close-up of the Baptism Boy.

Kristen and Alex.

We were well represented on the family front.  Along with Dave and I, Dave's sister Becky and her husband Bob (on the left, with his hand on Christopher's shoulder) were visiting her son Jim (far right, blue shirt).  His two children are in front by Alex.  Congratulations Alex!

Zion Family Campout May 2012, Part 2

Dave has some help setting up the air mattress.

Our home away from home for the next few days.

All of sudden, Anna Clare stops on the walk back down the trail to talk to someone.  I figure it's a couple from her ward, or something.  After a few minutes, she mentions to us that it's Cynthia, and her husband Eric.  I didn't recognize Cynthia at all, having not seen her since she was a teenager.  Good thing we have these campouts once in a while!

The contrast of these spikey grasses was interesting against the vivid greens and ochres of the canyon.

These next few shots are from the area above the tunnel, one early morning.

I loved the monochromatic stillness of this natural arrangement.

We were exploring places to view the eclipse, so headed over to Grafton Cemetery, where we found the driest cemetery we've ever seen.  The inscription reads:

A Kind Mother.  A Dutiful and Affectionate WIFE.  A Faithful Saint.  Awaits a RESURRECTION with the Just.

A literal burial mound in the dry red dirt.  Now back to the campground!

A great shot of us at the eclipse.  Thanks again to Lisa and Anna Clare for the glasses. 

A final image--that of a tree of shoes on the road out.  We stopped in St. George to visit Superior Threads and pick up some supplies, as well as a food stop at Kneader's Bakery, a favorite Utah eatery of ours.  Then drive drive drive home across the desert, arriving many hours later.  See you all next time!

Zion Family Campout 2012, Part 1

I love that we gather every year in Zion --er, every other year-- for our annual Family Campout.  Yes, it's a long way to drive, yes, there's a lot of washing to do at the end, but I love the memories that we create.  Here's a BUNCH of photos for you to look through and enjoy.  Tomorrow I'll post another batch.  See you next campout!!

Staring UP the rock face, enjoying the spring flowers.

Hike up the narrows trail.  Actually, they are coming back down.

Back from the trek across the wilderness, Dan's very hungry!

Nick and his fabuloso Dutch-oven cooking (is this the third pan of this?).  Of course, Irene and Suzanne are part of the team, too.

Dave and I like to get up really early one morning, drive up through the (empty) tunnel, slowing down where we want to and photograph some parts of nature.  We weren't as early this year, so we couldn't stop, but we still got some nice shots, I think.

I like the patterns that the boring equipment left on the rock.

 

Back to camp, for breakfast.

Monday morning, this Band of Brothers escaped up the canyon before the tourists and enjoyed a bike ride up, and down, the canyon.