Sunshiny Days

Whoa, look at that! Did you know Blogger will now let me upload more than 5 pictures at a time? This could be dangerous.

So, a week ago last Friday, Brandon called me up from work and said he wanted to take us on a trip for my Valentine's Day present. I didn't argue with him. He told me I could pick where, which was the hardest part. We went back and forth with several ideas. I needed somewhere warm. Even though February arrived it's still too cold and smoggy to be outside, and I could feel the vitamin D being drained right out of me. I needed sun! So, we settled on St. George. The only problem with that was their hotels were booked the entire weekend. I could get a room the first two nights, but not the following 3. So then I decided we should stay in St. George those first two, then head over to Las Vegas (where it was even warmer!) for the rest. I decided to cut it short and only make it a 5 day trip, even though we had Monday off as well, but that would give us a day to relax after getting home. So, Tuesday night we were busy getting everything ready and decided to open the gifts the girls had gotten for us and each other. Wednesday morning we sat down to breakfast and Brandon's back went out. He has done so well for several years now that I was starting to take it for granted. So, while he sat and suffered we tried to figure out what we should do. It was too late to cancel our reservations for that night, but should I just go to St. George, and then come home? Did the girls want to stay home and take care of Brandon while I got away for some alone time? Did Chloe want to come with me, and make it our own little weekend? Well, we finally decided it would be a girls weekend. The three of us went. We gave ourselves a day to decided if we were going to go to Vegas or not, but I needed that sun so bad, and like I told Brandon, in the 14 years he's been having back problems I've never been much help to him. Which meant we enjoyed the whole long weekend.
It was really nice to get away. I just felt a little guilty leaving my hurt husband home alone. He did good, and was feeling better when we got back. He even shaved and went to work today.

We went on a hike up Snow Canyon. Saw lots of "The Biggest Loser" vans.


Played around downtown, too bad the carousel was closed.


Toured the St. George Tabernacle


This tree was made for Sophie (my stuffed bear addict).


Making faces at her mom


We were a little bored while we waited for our lunch.


Sophie loved her bear sandwich. The strawberry lemonade was delicious!


Yes, swimming, outside, in February!


Basking in the sun, sharing headphones.

*quick little story: We stopped for lunch in Fillmore on our way down. While sitting there eating, Chloe looked out the window and exclaimed, "Look how blue the sky is!" Yes, Chloe, that's why I needed this trip.

The next day we toured Brigham Young's winter home. That was a smart man. I think I'm going to get me one of those.


Sophie got a new shirt! She's not so grown up yet that she can't wear adorable little turtles.


Hanging out at the temple


I think Chloe took this shot


Our last day in St. George we went to Jacob Hamblin's home.


Then we made it to "Fabulous Las Vegas!"


Took a little tour of Ethel M chocolate factory


Hanging out in the cactus garden. Notice Sophie's new gift (her sister bought it for her).


More cacti


I wanted my picture with the agave plant, but Chloe thought this shot was better.


Chloe with the fire cactus


And when the sun went down we did a lot of R&R in the hotel room.