ZIONS and VIVA LAS VEGAS- Fall Break Cont.

We decided to take a little side trip on the way home from Utah.

Zions National Park

We haven't been to Zion's for about 10 years.

It was everything I remembered it to be.  

I was in love with it all over again.

I wanted to hike every hike and see every inch of it.

Unfortunately some of my family members weren't as enthusiastic.

Taylor and I especially kept butting heads. 

I seem to lose my patience easily  when I think someone should be having fun and they aren't.

I apologized quickly and reminded myself that one day he will appreciate this, remember only the great parts about the trip, and drag his own children to this magnificent place.

Beggining of the hike to Upper Pools.  Of course Kate had to use the bathroom halfway up.

Close up wildlife

Kate under one of the oldest living cottonwood trees.

The kids loved climbing the boulders.

They also loved sliding down the boulders

This little squirrel to the right of Summer actually climbed up to her shoulder as she stood up.  It was hilarious. 
Movie moment.

Although Taylor doesn't love hiking, he does love playing in the mud.

Who wouldn't love playing at this playground?

After everyone was pooped out from hiking, we started for home.

We decided to headtowards the Las Vegas way to check out the new bridge before dark and roll into our driveway before midnight.

Well....

20 miles before entering Vegas our car decided to act funny.  Really funny, except it wasn't humorous.

We prayed we would make it to Vegas, and our prayers were answered.

It rolled right off the very first off ramp, which I didn't think of as Vegas, but technically it was.

We walked to the nearest truck stop.

Pulled up to a table and used our cell phone to figure out what to do.

Thank you 411.

We rode in a cab for the first time ever, using the cash that Kathe slipped into our hands before we left.

We stayed at a wonderful Holiday Inn Express that was located in an industrial park, next to nothing, who let us stay past check out time the next day.

We ate Dominos delivery, watched cable TV, and went swimming.

Andy was inspired to call the local Bishop who's number he found on the Church's website.

The bishop knew of a mechanic that could fix our car, who happened to work on Friday nights, and who's shop was located 1 mile away from where we broke down.

Coincidence. 

I think not.

These kind members, moved our car at 11pm and came into work on Saturday (closed) to help us out.

Thankfully the the problem was simple and much less costly than we expected.

After eating more pizza than I ever care to eat again and watching the cartoon network movie marathon, we headed back to Gilbert late Saturday night.

All along the way we felt grateful for the experience and saw the Lord's guidance in the details even before we left Zions.

How awesome it was to show our children that God does care about all the little details in our lives,

That He answers our prayers,

That serving others really makes a difference in people's lives,

And that many miracles happen daily in our lives.

It is amazing what good can come out of a seemingly bad situation.