Back in the beginning of July. . .or was it the end of June? . . .Hmmmm! I don't really recall. Anywho, we decided to drive down to Manti to see the "Manti Pageant" or the real name is the Mormon Miracle Pageant. Neither McKay or I had ever seen it, so McKay surprised us with a fun, fast, family trip. He booked us a night at a bed and breakfast too, because the pageant started at 9:30-ish at night and didn't get over until 11:30-ish.
*On the way, there was a cave, right off the highway, that McKay was curious about (he had seen it before when he was driving in the area for work). So, of course, he figures now is a good time to go check it out. SRSLY, with four girls? All of whom were wearing flop flops (as Emmie calls them). I go along with it because McKay, poor guy, doesn't get very many adventurous opportunities in our little girlie family. And, I figure, this is good for my girls. A little adventure never hurt anyone. . .although, when it does, I'm sure it will be me. So we pull off the road to a dirt turn-around area and walk a short ways (barely off the highway. I can only imagine what some people were thinking as they drove by this ill-prepared family of girls and one lone guy "hiking" with a purpose in our eyes and excitement on the girls' face and trepidation on mine, off a well-traveled highway). So we come to the point where it looks like others have been just as curious and have, therefore, created a little path for us. Well, that only lasted about 10 steps, then it's like we suddenly stepped in to some horrible re-run of the crocodile hunter as he anxiously hunts for the most poisonous snake in world. I'm talking tall grass, can't hear the cars rushing by us (even though they are only about 20 yards away), I hear only an eerie swish of grass and trees. I am completely aware, at this point, that I am in someone else's territory. But, I didn't voice that, of course, no need to scare the children. McKay took care of that. He started picking up rocks and throwing them into the grass (no doubt, some trick he learned in scouts). The girls ask, "Dad, why are you throwing rocks?" So McKay says, "I just want to scare off the snakes if there are any." "WHAT?!!! Dad are you serious?" Me, "McKay, I don't like this. Let's just go back to the car." He responds, "No way, we already came this far, see look ( as he points up) we're almost there." I was already nervous enough, but when McKay confirmed my worries about snakes, I couldn't stop looking at my feet and the girls' feet. Well, we made it up there and figured out that there wasn't really a cave ,but the mountain was just extra deep at that spot. McKay was a little disappointed, and so were the girls, with there flashlights in hand. I, as you can guess, was totally relieved. I need to be prepared for these kind of situations. This picture is at the almost top. I forgot Emmie was even wearing a dress for goodness sake!
These next sequence of pictures are what we face every time we try to take a good family picture. Morgan was a scary mountain lion . . .
. . .Still a scary mountain lion. Rhyan feels no need to pretend to be happy.
Bunny ears! Good one! Haven't seen that before!
Why do we try?
It's so much easier to control the outcome of a picture when there are only two subjects.
Here is the quaint little old house, (it's a bed and breakfast), that we stayed a night in. Let me tell you, those floors and doors were the creakiest things. We felt really bad when we were trying to quietly sneak back in at 1 a.m. after watching the pageant that night. But you really can't beat the hospitality of a bed and breakfast. They were great!! Next time, though, McKay and I will go alone! :)
This is the chapel that was built in the late 1890's, I believe, and they still use it. Isn't it pretty?
The girls showing off their maturity in front of the Manti Temple . . .
Two little sassy pants
The temple at night. Isn't it beautiful?
O.K. So, I'm not sure what I expected out of the pageant. I never really knew
what it was. For those of you who are like me. Let me explain, it's a "play" that volunteer actors (that change every year), mouth and flail their arms about to recordings that are, or seem to be, from the sixties, on the side hill just below the Manti Temple. The idea is to explain the miracle of how the gospel got restored and about the book of mormon and the basic story of the lamanites and nephites and their experience with Christ when he visited the Americas. So, obviously, the story is near and dear to my heart, and true, and that was fine. BUT, it was just too cheesy for me. I think the pageant could use a little updating. Then again, what do I know. We had to be there 3 hours early just to save seats, so it's still a very popular event for a lot of people. I think it's a wonderful missionary tool and the backdrop of the temple couldn't be lovelier. Plus, you can't beat
free family entertainment. On the way down to Manti, McKay and I were saying how nice it would be to make it a yearly family tradition to come see the pageant. When we drove home the following day, we decided once was good. . .for now.
*The most inspiring part of the play that was free of "cheese," was when the actor that played Christ, came (out of nowhere) on to the set and all the other actors fell to their knees. That was real feeling and I completely appreciated the fact that this was the only actor that didn't have a line. He didn't need to.
*Next Adventure:
One Monday night a few of our friends came along with us on a family home evening up in to one of the canyons behind Tooele. We went on a short hike and listened to bird sounds and jumped over puddles, and tried to take a few good pictures along the way. After our hike, we went to a little campsite where we started a fire and roasted s'mores, and McKay read a scripture and we all talked about how wonderful this earth is that has been created for us and how we need to take good care of it. The kids were cute. They said things like, "I think Heavenly Father is
awesome for doing this for us." and, "yeah, we should take care of the erf, and don't litter out your car." It was fun.
Rhyan couldn't decide if she was happy or not ...
The kids:Reagan, Audrey K., Reese, Darby, Carson,Devon, Jack, Morgan, Emmie and Elle
Me and this lucky guy.
Next Adventure:
*My mom and Doyal came to visit on their way home from visiting the Grand Canyon. We took them to Silver Lake, one of our favorite places to take visitors. It's at the top of Big Cottonwood canyon, where a couple of great skiing resorts are. Well, at least, that's what I hear. I'm no skier.
Silver Lake was shown to us by Mark, McKay's brother. It's a beautiful spot, where you don't expect to see a lake and marsh land-ish scenery.
Now here's a mom with all her ducks in a row!!!! Get it? I kill me.
...and here's
my mom with one of
my ducks and Doyal straggling behind. To give credit, Doyal has been having all sorts of knee issues and he still went on this little hike with us. He was a good sport. I apologize for the blurriness. I was taking it while I was walking backwards and yelling at McKay to wait. Now it's not such a bad picture, huh?
This was about half way around the lake. The walk is only about a mile, which makes it perfect for little kids and old kids with knee problems.
a delicate wild flower. . .not unlike myself.
The kids, (McKay included), just HAD to climb this rock wall
At the top of the rock wall
That's it for now. . .but if I can focus, I'll be back with part dos (that's espanol for two:), of our summer adventures next week.
These awesome tunnels were my little sisters' and, of course, mom kept them for her grand kids. I'm just glad they're not at my house. . .
Playing in the sprinklers in grandpa & grandma's back yard. . .look how green their grass is!!!
Me and Rhy
Like Grandma. . .
Like granddaughter. . .
Rhyan
*I also forgot that they taught us the art of roasting starbursts. . .MMM, MMM!!!
This fallen tree was perfect for crossing the creek
Fishing on day two. . .
WOA! Look at that fish! You can almost see it in McKay's hand. . .
This look right here is the only reason she's still alive. . .says McKay. 
McKay also took all his girls (minus Rhyan) on a 4-wheeler ride. WEEEEE!
Morgan just had to take her shoes off to feel the water. Whatever! She's crazy. I'm pretty sure the high that day was like 50 degrees! The lake (spirit lake) was beautiful, but it even looks cold.
YAY! We're done!
