It's the last day of our Payson visit, and while Tim and I are packing up the car, Joseph is having fun playing outside with Grandpa Steve. They're climbing stairs, going up and down driveways, and even pointing at interesting things!



Just before heading off, Tim's mom suggested we take a few four-generations shots. It's been another wonderful family visit!

Here we are getting ready for our walk after Church today. Before getting in the stroller, Joseph is stretching his legs a bit by climbing up and down the neighbor's steep driveway!

Tim's dad is back from his trip, and we're so glad to have this chance to all be together. Even Tim's grandmother loves these afternoon walks!

Here's a fun shot of Grandma Cindy chasing Joseph around the house after the walk. Although he did enjoy being outside in the stroller, it's no surprise that he's now in the mood to run, run, run!

This morning, Grandma Cindy is showing Joseph how to water the plants out on the back deck. Watching the water pour out of the spout is quite fascinating to him, and he's concentrating very hard on learning how to do it!



Here he is practicing with the empty watering can. He know where to put the spout and how to tilt the can. Now all he needs is some water!

After heading back inside, we brought this exercise ball up from the basement for him to push around. It's a little more manageable than the big push car, but still pretty exciting!



This afternoon, we're off to the park to give Joseph a chance to run around a bit! Although he did venture over to the playground for a minute, he's actually much more interested in just playing in the grass and stepping up and down the sidewalks. He sure loves being able to go wherever he wants!

Here's a great shot of the three of us Tim's mom took on our way back to the car. What a fun afternoon it's been!

The Houstons joined us here at Tim's parents' place just before dinner tonight! In an effort to keep Joseph occupied while I made a fruit salad, I set out this bunch of plastic cups, and now all the kids are having fun playing together with them. We sure are having fun visiting family!

After waking up yesterday to rain and dropping temperatures, we decided it was time to pack up and go! We made it back to Grandma and Grandpa Allison's place here in Payson last night, and have spent most of our time since just trying to get our gear dry and caterpillar-free. Grandpa Steve is heading off on a short teaching trip this afternoon, so he and Joseph are making the most of their time together right now!

Before bedtime tonight, Grandma Cindy brought this big push-car up from the basement, and Joseph is simply in awe! How fun to be and Grandma and Grandpa's again!

This morning the sun is shining, and I can already tell it's going to be a beautiful day! Tim's mom was especially happy to capture this shot, because it reminds her of one of Tim and his Granddaddy Allison in the same sort of pose.





Just behind our group of campsites is a big rocky hill, and all the kiddos are having a lot of fun climbing around and flying kites up there! I just love this shot of Tim's dad and Jen chatting a bit while the kiddos play...

and this one of Grandpa Steve getting in on the action!

Here's a shot from the hill of our group of campsites, extending from the Houstons' gray van on the left to Rick and Shelley's red car on the right. Our dark green tent is closest to the road on the left. What a lovely place to be!

We decided to head out to explore a bit before it got to be time for lunch and naps. We won't do any serious hiking right now, but this is a great spot to get a glimpse of the canyon below!

What an amazing view of the green valley below...

and what impressive sheer cliffs!

Is it just me, or does anyone else sense the irony in this shot?

Here's a fun shot Tim took of the rest of us, just before I noticed he was way too close to the edge and hollered at him to get back!

Rick and Shelley are such a cute couple and I'm so glad to have this chance to get to know them both a little better!

Based on the smile Joseph is giving GG, he is having fun getting to know his family better, too!



Just before heading back to camp, we spied these neat ruins and petroglyphs way down in the canyon below.

Here's a cute shot of Joseph and I strolling along in the campground later this afternoon after lunch and naps. Now we're getting ready to head off on our big hike down into the canyon!

Here we are at a different spot on the canyon rim, looking over the trail to the famous White House Ruins and wondering how in the world we're supposed to get down there!

Since Allan needed to work his last shifts at the hospital before the Houstons' big move to PA, Jen has been managing all those kiddos single-handed and as usual, I'm just in awe of what capable, loving mom she is!



There is just so much to take in from way up here!



Off we go! Tim's dad took this shot of us just passing the entrance to the trail. It's pretty windy and cool today, but getting moving should help us all warm up!

Although the trail is fairly smooth and level, it does get pretty narrow in a few spots, and the drop-off on the canyon side is definitely steep, so every child on foot has to hold an adult's hand.

Now here's a good spot to stop for a break...

and here's the spot from another angle. Tim took this shot while his dad took the above one and he's looking pretty close to that edge, I might add!





Although this hike is fairly long, no one is complaining. There are just too many interesting things to see and do along the way!

Time passed so quickly, in fact, that we're already here at the bottom, with the White House Ruins in the background!

We'll rest here for a bit...



and give Joseph and Benjamin and chance to run around and stretch their legs! Joseph is having a lot of fun practicing stepping over all these cottonwood roots...

and Taylor is climbing this cottonwood tree!



Although this is a lovely spot, it's time to head back to camp now!

Tim's mom and grandmother had such a good time sightseeing along the rim that when they returned to camp before us, they decided to head back out again! Tim's mom took this gorgeous shot of Spider Rock in the lovely late-afternoon sunlight. What a fun day it's been for everyone!