Our First Family Vacation

	We embarked on our first family vacation since having Ryan. Because he is standing and crawling now, we're not sure how he would deal with the multiple hour drive to Zion National Park. It turns out that with frequent stops, he maintained the cheery demeanor depicted by this picture for most of the trip. Hurray!
	We arrived at the Majestic View Lodge just before sunset. You can tell that this is one place that definitely lives up to it's name. Ryan was a little stir crazy and wanted to get out and explore his surroundings. They had a fabulous landscape and Tracy offered to help Ryan explore the rocks and man-made stream.
	It was good for the soul to see the blue sky against the red rock as captured in this panoramic picture.
	On day 2, we hit the trail. This is along the Emerald Pool Trail. All 10 of us were out on the trail enjoying the relatively good weather. It was warm but overcast which helped. You can tell the flowers were out as were the cameras too!
	It was a beautiful time of the year to visit Zion because so much was in blossom. This is a picture of some prickly pear cactus along the trail.
	Ryan finally fell asleep! He is such a curious boy that he had to experience all the new stuff. Everything from the sand eroding away from the sandstone to the colors and views of this delightful canyon. On the way down from the Emerald Pools he finally crashed for some much needed rest.
	We were confronted by some wildlife. Steve takes on this stuffed deer in a battle to death. Wait, maybe that battle has already been won. Oh well, it's a combat picture.
	Tracy and Ryan were chased by a dead bear. Notice the signs of distress and terror on their faces.
	On the last day we visited the old ghost town of Grafton. It was somewhat disappointing because many of the buildings were closed down for public access where they used to be open for wandering. The cemetary is one of the most interesting I have seen in a while.
	We went to Zion National Park last week. Ryan was inducted into the honorary club known as the Stretchy Lizard Club. Yes, Grandma and Grandpa inducted him into this club by purchasing this very green, but very flexible (and apparently tasty) lizard in one of the many Zion gift shops there in Spingdale, UT.