Dr. J's Death March of Fun (a.k.a. The Subway)

I love family vacations.  Growing up, our family vacations usually consisted of either a beach or poolside destination--most often, St. George.  Activities usually alternate between swimming (and by swimming, I mean lying next to the pool), watching movies, and playing games--and eating way too much.  I'm not going to lie.  Our vacations are usually not very active.  In fact, they are deliciously inactive.  Despite our proximity to Zion National Park and my dad's love of "beauty," his desires to get out and see some of it are usually ignored as we head to the pool.

This year, Justin decided to take matters into his own (very active) hands, and took a small group of us (Me, Emily, Dan, and Margaret) canyoneering down "The Subway."  It was a small group because some people had to stay behind to babysit, and some apparently only go "hiking" if it's on horseback.  

We had an amazing time.  Justin and Margaret in particular came much closer together through this experience.  Let's just say that in a tricky maneuver climbing down a tree, Margaret sat on Justin.  And let's also say that it's a good thing that Justin turned his head at the last second so that she straddled is shoulder instead of his face...  We now like to refer to this as Margaret and Justin's cheer-leading move. I almost peed my pants.  It was really that funny.

Anyway, I had to officially document the Durham's getting active on vacation.  The pictures were taken with a disposable under-water camera, so they aren't the best quality...but you can use your imagination.

This is technically the last picture taken when we finally found the trail marker to get out of the canyon.  (The hike out of the canyon is really long.  Some might even call it a death march...)  We were really happy. Really.

We just stopped for a casual rest along the way.

I look like a total girl in this picture, but that water was seriously cold!!

Now can you tell why this canyon is called "the subway'?  In the distance, you can kind of see (from left to right) Margaret, Emily, Dan, Me.

This was the part when we saw the angel.

There was a lot of swimming...in really cold, murky water.

We posed like this together to show that we are sporty and in love.

I soooooo wish that you could see Margaret's facial expression in this picture.  This was the first swim...and the water was shockingly cold.  Her look was priceless.

Those are two wild and crazy guys!

Blondies

Despite the fact that these three boys live as spread out across the country as possible (VA, UT, HI), I see no reason why these little blonde cuties can't be best friends.  Isn't it great that three sisters can have three little boys all the same age?

And isn't it also great that a brown-headed girl like me can belong to two cute blonde-headed boys like these?  I think so.

Cousins

It's great to have cousins. I should know. I have somewhere in the vicinity of 70 first cousins. With my sister Emily and her family in town this week from Hawaii, Colton got to experience first hand how helpful cousins can be. Charlie seemed particularly concerned for Colton's well-being. While Justin was belaying the older kids on the rocks above, Charlie was making sure Colton didn't get hungry while we hung out below. Colton especially liked the dirt-covered ones Charlie picked up off the ground...

Look Alike

It seems like people always ask you who your child looks like. Is it weird that my answer is my sister? There are so many times throughout the day when Colton makes faces and I swear he looks just like Margaret. And, as it turns out, I also think he looks an awful lot like Joshy. Am I wrong?

I guess I should also mention that Colton also bears a striking resemblance to my dad. How is it that the kid can look so Durham-y but not actually look anything like me?

Aloha!

I think everyone should get to spend ten days a year in Hawaii. I'm having a devil of a time thinking of a witty way to present this vacation (probably because the snorkeling pictures haven't been developed yet...and will involve another post with "vomit" in the title), so I think I'll just stick to the facts:

1. Spending time with the Bradshaw's is one of my most favorite things to do! Especially when it involves burrying Sam in the sand, building a sweet beach shack out of drift wood, getting shaved ice from Matsumoto's Grocery store, or snorkeling in six inch waters with my sister (tragically, we didn't get a photo of that, but the people watching the ridiculous site will probably have it engraved in their memories forever).

2. Sam and Colin are both experts with a light saber. Colin makes a great Batman. Jane can belly dance, play the violin, and climb like a pro. Charlie can take 13 steps at a time.

3. Justin has officially replaced me as the favorite. How can I compete when he is the ultimate tickle monster, can pick the kids up and play them like a guitar, and can match any of them at climbing trees? Although I think I may have proven myself in both red rover and colored eggs. The big bad wolf seemed to really like calling out my color.

4. Volcanoes are cool. We watched one erupt, explored through a dark lava tube, and climbed to the top of one. (Not bad for 6 months pregnant!)

5. Waterfalls are also cool.
6. Snorkeling is fun.
7. I should not ever go on a boat (ironic that I married a sailor--more to come on this particular topic).
8. Napping in the car is a good way to rejuvenate.
9. Mangos are free in Hawaii if you park next to the right tree.
10. Hanging out with Justin is never boring.

Em and Dan--thanks for providing us with food, shelter, edited videos, and lots of fun!