Stagecoach 2009 - Indio

Brian scored us free tickets to get into Stagecoach - a two day country music festival. County acts like Miranda Lambert, Reba, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisely, Darius Rucker performed to name a few. We had a great time hanging out with our friends the Connors.Emily, Darby and Brandon
We took our canopy charis and hung blankets to help keep us in the shade. It worked -- no one got sunburned. There were about 70,000 people who came -- this is early in the day and it doesn't show the crowds well -- but it does show our view of the stage and big screens.

Brandon and Darby enjoying the music.

The evenings cooled down and since the concerts didn't end until 11pm we had to bundle up.

Madison and Jason made tents out of their blankets and hung out with their glow sticks.

We got these cool mister/spray pump bottles and the guys helped to keep the crowd cooled off.

Courtney and Madison kept cool under the shade canopies during the day.

The kids got to meet Lady Antebellum and get their autographs. They were really excited as we are big fans of their music.

Megan still recovering from her eye ulcer was not able to wear contacts lenses so glasses kept her in the shade as well.

Emily and Brandon got new hats --

Donna, Janet and Marleen. Janet and her daughter Rachel also came to the event and we were able to save them seats so they could be close by.

Donna, Eric with Madison & Jason

Here we are just haning out in our space -- it got REALLY crowded so I was thankful to have blankets to give us more room. What a great time we all had! Thanks Connors!!!

Zion's Trek April 17-19th, 2009

Our Stake does Zion's Trek every four years. This is Eric's third time, I have done it twice, with Megan joining us the last time. This year, Brandon was able to go and Megan could have gone again, but we decided to head to Arizona for the Daley wedding.

Brandon and a group of his friends gathering into families at the Stake Center getting ready to head west!

These pictures give you an idea of how steep some of the trails were. These pictures came from our Stake photographer, he got a video clip of Brandon's family getting their handcart up this hill. He's supposed to send it to me so I can blog it.

Eric was asked to be on patrol on a horse. There were many in the Stake surprised he knew how to ride. He's on the 2nd horse back, his horse's name was Tuff and he's 16 1/2 hands tall. Eric said he was amazing!

The put the families into companies and they travelled together. There were 6 companies total and Eric rode between them to make sure everyone was doing all right.

The even formed the Mormon Battalion and the YM left the girls to push the wagons on their own . Luckily the PAs got to stay behind and help push.

Brandon LOVED the experience and his testimony was strengthened of what our ancestors had to sacrifice. He loved how everyone within the companies came to each other's aid to get their handcars the big hills.

Here is a close up of Tuff and Eric with chaps.

This is Brandon's family -- you can see him on the back left in the red shirt.

Dani & Bryce Get Married

Megan, Jason, Madison and I drove to Mesa for Dani & Bryce's sealing. (Brandon and Eric had Zion's Trek with our Stake). We stayed at a Marriott nearby with the Daley family and had a great time. We arrived on Thursday and I was able to go through Dani's first temple session and then they were sealed Friday morning @ 10:30. We enjoyed a nice wedding luncheon and then came home on Saturday. Megan with her soon-to-be roommie, Bri!
Dani & Bryce

Megan, Uncle Jim and Madison

More of Eric's cousins - The Justice Family, Diane, James (now engaged!), Joelle, Mike & Jen.

Tenaja Falls Hike

Brandon had to visit a National Forrest during spring break for a school assignment so we invited the Connor's family to go on a day hike so we headed up to Tenaja Falls. We had a great time. The weather was overcast and it was threatening to rain shower but it never did -- perfect weather for hiking!

Courtney, Madison, Jason, Megan, Emily, Darby & Brandon

Emily checking to be sure she still has cell service in the Clevland National Forrest.
We had to cross this stream, some waded, others were carried, and then AFTER we crossed, Brandon showed us a rock path the boy scouts made last time they were there. Duhhhh. Brandon and Madison at the falls.
And some were crazy enough to get and . . . . and even go under! Who's child is this???

Here's the group shot we got another hiker to take before we headed back down.

Camping & Conference

We went up to the Morgan's property in La Cresta for Conference weekend camping out Friday, Saturday, Sunday and came home to our 15 minute drive on Monday. With water, electricity for hook-ups and a dumping station we were quite comfortable let alone all the ammenities they had for us to enjoy! Our trailer is on the far left, then the Morgan's, Vanden Brinks, and the Lucas. We enjoyed out little camping group and hope we can do it again before it gets too hot!

This beautiful patio has two refrigerators and a BBQ. We ended up setting up more tables and chairs to feed the group which ranged from 20-26.
Nicest campground facilities I've ever used!

Their pond provided tons of fishing for the kids. The sound of bullfrogs lulled us to sleep each night. The view of the valley below was breathtaking as well as the city lights at night.

The kids fished for hours on end and Eric was kept busy with a few tangled lines and needed to sometime help get a fish off the hook.
Megan, Dianna Morgan and Kathleen Vanden Brink enjoying such amazing weather!

We hiked up the hill to the Morgan's house to watch conference. This is a view off their courtyard. These next two pictures I stole from Dianna's website as I didn't take one from the front. The house is built upshaped with a courtyard in the middle that showcases their breathtaking view.

They have a home theater that seats 21. The little kids enjoyed playing Conference Bingo. We enjoyed all the talks . . . and the music. Elder Holland's talk was my personal favorite along with the Prophet's. Can't wait to read my Ensign!

Brandon and Caden hanging out on the jump rock.
Here we are hiking up to the main house -- it was great exercise to offset all the food we ate.

Jason said he caught over 30 fish -- I think we need to pull up the Fishing Merit Badge requirements.

Ryan and Madison fishing from the bridge.

THANK YOU Morgan's for sharing your piece of heaven with us! You spoiled us with such wonderful accommodations. Let us know next time you want company --- and we'll be there!