Zion's National Park for Thanksgiving

We have been planning to go down to Zion's with Billy's family for Thanksgiving since like August or September. It was our turn to be with his family this year so it worked out. As it got closer we were worried about the temperatures and if Taggart would stay warm enough. We decided we would still go, until the next night Billy got in the accident and then we didn't know about a rental car etc. Since their insurance was being so dumb we had to go rent one ourselves and all they had was this:

I was very hesitant to take this, because I have heard of lots of roll overs and was paranoid after the accident, but they gave it to us for the same price as a car so we took it. Taggart did really well on the ride there and we drove clear to Cedar before stopping.

We think he enjoyed being in the middle since he could see out the front windshield better.

We got there and set up camp.

Loved playing in the dirt, it was like sand, so very soft.

We used their Spring Bar tent so we'd stay more warm than the one we have. It reminded me of girls camp so much. We even had a heater in the tent to try and keep warm.

Then we had spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner. Grandma and Grandpa were nice to let us eat inside their pop up, so we could stay warm. Taggart enjoyed it if you can't tell.

We all went to bed pretty early, and Taggart slept pretty well, woke up at 7:40. He was cold so he was cranky, I was also cold that night and decided that for the next nights I would be wearing fuzzy socks and using more blankets. That morning we went down by the river, but silly Taggart wanted to get in, even though we let him feel how cold it was.

It seemed like we waited many hours for the sun to come up, it finally did, but we bundled up and took the bus up to one of the hikes. We went to the lodge to let Taggart run around on the grass and then to Weeping Rock.

He loved kicking around in the leaves.

Warning!! Picture overload, feel free to skip them!

Got back and put Taggart down for a nap. The girls went to Springdale to shop in the gift shops and the boys got dinner ready. Grandpa made Turkey Pot Pie in the Dutch oven and bread. It was very good. I was just sitting at our picnic table looking at the huge rock by the campsite and decided I would find a way to climb it. I found out after that Billy was jealous because that had been his plan.

I was pretty much a nervous wreck the whole time Taggart was by the fire. He wanted to get so close. We played charades around the fire and yes I was a little embarrassed. That night was simply miserable. Taggart woke up at 1:00, then consecutively every couple of hours. He was freezing and wouldn't go back to sleep. I let him get in my sleeping bag with me and he is too wiggly, so finally Billy had to sit by him and every time he went to sit up had to tell him to lay down. He finally went back to sleep and woke up at 7:00. We were all grumpy and I was ready to pack up and leave. We didn't the next day it was warmer and we had a lot of fun. Billy and I went on a hike while Taggart was napping and found some cool things.

Us in the love seat on the rock.

The perfectly heart shaped cactus.

love seat

We loaded up in our cars and drove through the sweet tunnel and did the overlook hike. It was great and my favorite thing that we did. I was making everyone nervous for how close to the edge I was getting, but we all had fun. It was cute because you could tell Taggart was being cautious but still wanted to look around.

Deer in the headlights!!

Taggart was laughing so hard when I poked my head through there.



For the last night (we decided to leave one day early) we swaddled Taggart up like a baby burrito so he couldn't get out. He slept all night, so we actually got some sleep that night. Here's some pictures to show just how cold it was.



For some reason Taggart really wanted to just be at the steering wheel in whoever vehicle he could get into. Maybe we need to get him something with a steering wheel for Christmas??

Lately he's been liking to snuggle in front of us while we're sitting, he slid right down that rock. Overall I would say we had a pretty good time. But my vote is to go when it's warmer, because I want to swim in all the great swimming places and I don't want Taggart to be miserable. We wish Wes and Traci would've made it, but they couldn't. Maybe next time. Hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving!