May Colorado-Moab Trip

 John and Kathryn Ann had a fun trip to the Zoo with Kristilyn and her five children.  John with Amelia and Lillian in the strollers.

Grandma, James, Grant, Kristilyn with John in carrier, Grandpa, Lillian and Amelia in strollers.  Grant and James carefully followed the zoo map to find all of the Lego exhibits. 

 The sea lion exhibit was a hit for everyone.  James, Amelia, Lillian, and Grant.

 This Lego exhibit had lots of monkeys.  The real monkeys were very active. 

 The Lego penguins were also fun. 

 Both sets of twins loved building with the large Legos.  James is taller than Grant. 

 We took flowers to Grandma Millie and Grandpa Grant Rasband's graves for Memorial Day. 

 The Fred Steele railroad bridge over the Platte River in Wyoming built in 1868 as part of the transcontinental railroad. 

 One view of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado. 

 Another view of the alpine gardens.  The tulips and daffodils were barely blooming and were very small because of the high altitude. 

 Utah 128 from I-70 to Moab. 

 We followed the Colorado River from the Rocky Mountains along I-70 to Arches National Park. 

 Possible site for a 2014 Rogers Family Reunion--40 miles southeast of Moab.  

 View of the LaSal Mountains from the lodge. 

 The Three Gossips in Arches. 

 Court House

 John at Balancing Rock. 

 There were many kinds of blooming wild flowers. 

 Even the cactus were in bloom.  Note the bee on the flower petal. 

 Delicate Arch.  Remember our fun family vacation in 1996 when we hiked as a family to this arch. 

 We've had lots of family hikes in this area also - Devil's Gardens.  There was no place to even park so I just took a picture while John drove around the loop again. 

 The scenery and colors are amazing. 

 John is walking up to Window Arch. 

I lost my hat in the wind at Window Arch but John hiked down the back side of the arch and retrieved it.  

 Talisa shared the book that she wrote and illustrated for the first grade class. 

Four-year-old Kira. 

The pictures of our wonderful time with Mike and Desi are together on the other blog.

Mike and Desi's family--May 23-27.

 We arrived on Thursday night so we could enjoy Emily's school field day on Friday.  Emily wore her soccer shirt as did many of the other school children. 

 I caught this picture before the rest of us left for school.  Mike was able to get the day off from work. 
Mordecai, Mike, Ivy, Desi, and Ruby. 

 The obstacle course in the gym included swinging ropes, the climbing wall, tunnels, etc. 

 Grandma was delighted to hold seven-month-old Ivy.  She weighs about 13 pounds so is still tiny for her age but she is strong and active. 

 Mike with Mordecai and Ivy.

 Grandpa and Mordecai. 

 Emily challenged her teacher, Mrs. Welch, to a hula hoop contest. 

 Desi and Ivy

 We had lunch at Ryan Park. 

 Ruby has beautiful long hair.  She is only 27 months old and she was like Ivy when she was born. 

 Heading out for a walk with the family to Zinga's for frozen yogurt on Saturday night. 

 Mordecai is excited over his selection!

 Ivy is a happy baby.  She will giggle for several minutes just to entertain herself.  I've never seen a baby do that before but it is so charming!

 Saturday morning they planted flowers. 

 Emily is about to lose another tooth.  It is so hard because she doesn't want to touch the loose tooth and certainly doesn't want anyone else to touch it either, even though it really bothers her. 

 Ruby is getting her hair done for the day.  Notice that she is trying to drink the water from the spray bottle Desi uses to moisten her hair. 

 Ruby has her favorite video games just like Emily and Mordecai. 

 Emily has started taking piano lessons.  She is playing a duet with her daddy.  Ruby doesn't want to miss out on any of the action. 

 Later Mike played many of his favorite pieces for us which was a real treat. 

 Emily and Ivy danced with Grandpa to Mike's music. 

Ivy can sit up, turn over, and generally entertain every one with her antics. 

We had a good trip to visit with Mike and Desi's family from May 23 to May 27.  We enjoyed visiting with them and playing with the children.  They are always gracious and welcoming.   I'll send an email with the details and do another blog on other activities for the rest of the month later. 

Spring Family Pictures, 2013

 Daniel looks very handsome in his new glasses. 

 Kira showing Grandpa her dance video on the I-phone.

 Kim and Keith hosted a lovely Mother's Day brunch for Kathy and Scott and John and me.  The food and company were excellent!

Keith holding his girls, Talisa and Kira

 Kathie, Talisa, Kira being held by Kim, and Kathryn

 The subdivision road between Keith's and the school is being quickly filled in with lovely, large Ivory homes.  The home that you see directly behind is "Kira's house" where she is going to move when she is eleven. 

 Little John is a happy, calm baby.  He will smile and coo with a little encouragement.  He's just over 10 pounds now at about 2 1/2 months. 

 Amelia was thrilled to have an old phone to carry around.  She also was adamant about wearing one of her brothers' ties.  We had a lovely meal at Eliasons' home on Mother's Day  with the men in charge of the food. 

 Kira, Talisa, Grant and James were making punch designs on paper with the carpet backing. 

 Lillian loves to ride her rocking horse that Jerry Garner made for the Eliason children. 

 The Sunday Mother's Day photo with Julie, Kathryn Ann, Kristilyn holding John, and Kim.  At five months Julie finally has a baby bump for little Ethan. 

 Grant and Talisa were having fun in the tube/tunnel.  Notice the space where Grant is missing his first tooth. 


Grant and James are thrilled to have new sand in their sand pile even if there isn't any grass in their yard.  

 Talisa, Lillian, Kira, and Mark are playing with the dishes. 

 Amelia is thrilled to have Keith swing her around in the air. 

 Brandon, Melody, Talisa, Keith holding Kira, and Kim in Las Vegas . 

 Melody, Brandon, Talisa, Keith, and Kira in Las Vegas

 Talisa showing off her new braces. 

Keith and Talisa at "Take Your Child to Work Day."