Arriving at our wagon accommodations we weren't sure if we should laugh or cry. When we had made our reservation staying in a wagon with the kids seemed fun and adventurous, but at 11 p.m. after a long drive and with a van full of sleeping children we had different feelings. This was especially true when we discovered that the wagons had mattresses, but no sheets---just a scratchy motel-quality quilt. It was a cool night so after unloading the kids we rummaged through our luggage and pulled out our towels to cover up with. It was a long cold night, so cold in fact that half-way though the night I decided to take my chances with ticks, lice or some other gross bed beg and slept directly on the mattress so I could cover up with the quilt.
Clearly the kids didn't seem to mind the bare bones accommodations, because they woke up pretty chipper.
Well, maybe Ruby wasn't quite so chipper.
The kids were pretty much in heaven the whole two days we were there. Besides the rustic sleeping quarters. they also enjoyed a myriad of activities around the campground. Including...
Rock climbing
Bungee Trampoline. For being such an aggressive kid, Max really surprises me sometimes. He was so excited to do this, but once he got his turn he was very timid with his jumping and got mad when we told him to jump higher (I guess that's where the aggressive part came in). Eventually he loosed up and had a good time.
Reed on the other hand was more interested in trying to be a "dare-devil". He was pretty proud of his double back flip.
He also provided some comic relief with some of his other trick attempts.
Miniature golfing. (One of the lower points of our stay.) Who goes miniature golfing in the middle of the desert at noon in the middle of August with 7 small children?--We do. Not our best move---think "herding cats".
One of the highlights at Zion's for the older kids was going on the zip line. I was really impressed that none of them were even a tiny bit afraid.
Hanging out at the playground.
There weren't a lot of options for eating at the resort so the kids got to enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet in the dinning hall. It was a little expensive so we told the kids to eat up. Luke made me laugh when he told Tracey looking for approval, "I'm not even hungry, but I'm still going to eat more!"
The many faces and emotions of Max---all in one meal.
At an all-you-can-eat buffet...Coco Puffs are totally allowed.
Ruby found a friend at breakfast. Cousins make the best friends.
Thankfully, the next night we moved out of the wagons and into cabins which were much more comfortable...but ironically too warm.
The kids also enjoyed the resort's game room---especially Ruby who mostly just wandered around checking things out looking cute.
After a full day of activies we were starving and against our better judgement decided to get pizza in the dinning hall. Sadly it was the worst pizza I have ever had. Totally picture-worthy though.
It may not look too bad, but take my word for it. Between the saltine cracker crust and crunchy onion sauce it was pretty bad.
Even Ruby looked a little skeptical.
After a "yummy" dinner. It was time for a mass shower.
It was fast, it was soapy and it had me thinking of a Shel Silverstein poem.
Our stop in Zions was great and exhausting at the same time. It was truly a kid's paradise. Reed was already talking about wanting to go back before we even made it to the interstate. It was a lot of work, but with these cute faces in tow it was hard not to have a good time.
Bye-Bye Zions...off to CO.
