THE RICHARDSONS

Our family vacation started out in much the same way as Scout camp did. With a broken arm. Who was the person that broke the bone? I'll give you one guess......

Alex's broken Right arm from Scout camp

Alex's broken Left arm from falling down four stairs

The Doctor told us to that he would have issues with balance while his arm was broken, so to keep him off his bike and scooter, but she never said he would be too clumsy to walk down the stairs. So the night before we left on vacation, I sat home and packed, while Bruce and Alex sat in the ER getting xrays and splints. This time it was only one bone, but closer to the elbow, which means another up to the armpit cast. And just in time for his baptism next Saturday. It ought to be quite a show getting him dunked with both arms broken.

Alex sporting not one, but two broken arms. Is it a cry for attention????????

The first day of our vacation we drove to Saint George, where we met up with the rest of my family at our hotel. We didn't do much this day except baby Alex, teach him how to stab his food with chopsticks, (since he can't bend either elbow), and do alot of swimming with the other three kids.

Alex trying to figure out how to eat chicken nuggets with chopsticks

Bear loving her boat

Bruce & Joshua

Hannah Banana

Joshua flying

The Richardson's

Bear saying "CHEESE"

Saturday morning My mom and I got up really early and headed to the St. George temple to do a session. It was really fun to go with my mom as it was her first time there. We had a wonderful time.



After the Temple My mom and Brent went with us to check out some of the historic sites in St. George. We went to the Tabernacle, Brigham Young's home, the Utah Daughter's of Pioneer's museum, and wandered through the farmer's market.

Hannah in front of the Tabernacle

Brent and Bear strolling through the market

Brigham Young's Winter home

That afternoon some of us girls went to get pedicures. Hannah went along and got her toes polished. So fun! Kelly, Harlie, Ashley, Hannah, & Kristin's Feet (in case you were wondering)

Hannah and her purple toes

That evening we met up with my cousin Ed and his wife Amie at the Olive Garden for dinner and also a kid drop off. They were kind enough to consent to taking care of all four of our little monsters while we went to see Les Mes at Tuachan. Amie, Ed, & Edison, (some of our favorite relatives)

Part of the clan at Tuachan, waiting to see Les Mes, which was absolutely wonderful. I have seen it about a dozen times, and this was definitely one of my favorites, and the outdoor theatre was amazing.

Us at Tuachan

Sunday we headed off to the Grand Canyon. I have always wanted to go there, and we talk about it every time we pass the turn off in Hurricane, but we have never gone until now. On the way there we were a little nervous because it was quite rainy and was getting worse the closer we got to the canyon.

When we got there this is what we saw. Yes that is a picture of the Grand Canyon in the background. It was completely full of fog. You couldn't see anything past about 20 feet.

This is the lodge where we ate our lunch, spooky huh? Before lunch we decided to have Hannah say a prayer asking Heavenly Father to help us out with the weather a little, so we could see the canyon.

And we were blessed with a miracle. The rest of the afternoon was fabulous, although a little chilly. It was really nice because we were skipping out on church, so we pulled the kids aside and had our own little Gospel lesson, on how Heavenly Father answers prayers. The kids were so cute, and were so grateful that we were blessed with some sunshine. Hannah kept saying all day "this is just so beautiful, it's the most beautiful thing I ever saw". And it was amazing and beautiful. Definitely worth the drive.


We had a fabulous time, inspite of the broken arm. The kids had fun, the family was fun, and we actually made it through the whole trip without anyone throwing up. That has got to be a new record for us. :)