2013 Vernal: Dinosaur National Monument

To celebrate Thanksgiving with the Jackson's this year we decided to head out to Vernal to visit Grandpa and Grandma Haws.  When we got to town, we decided to take a quick trip out to the quarry. We hadn't been since Hallie was about 18 months old, so it was definitely time.

 A shuttle had to take us to the quarry, so the kids did some workbooks to earn their "Junior Ranger" while we waited.

 It was hard work, but they got it done.  Then we watched a little movie about the quarry.

 Finally, the shuttle arrived and took us to the quarry.

 The kids were excited to see the fossils and receive their Junior Ranger badges.

Then it was time to explore.

Temple Square

 Since Ryan & Tiff were in town for Thanksgiving, they wanted to take Lexi to see the lights at temple square.  We decided to make it a Jackson family event (minus Jenny's family and Kevin).

The whole gang

Top: Tiffani, Lexi, Ryan, Becky, Hallie, Tricia, Bryant, Mike, Cameron

Bottom: Steph, Capri, Rhett, Matt, Ang

Cameron wanted to wave at all of the horses and carriages cirlcing around Temple Square.

Capri was bundled up like a little burrito.

Warming up in the visitor's center

Ryan & Lexi

Tiffani, Ryan & Lexi

Tricia & Bryant

Mike pretty much always had someone on his shoulders-- Bryant enjoyed his ride.

 Steph gave Hallie a wild ride in the stroller.

 Cameron had to hug all of the statues while we were there.

 What a fun night!

Jackson Family Campout

 Labor Day weekend was our annual Jackson family campout.  We went to Box Elder Campground in Mantua.  We got a great campsite with lots of small trails for the kids to go exploring and even a little part of the creek for them to play in.

 The kids had a great time on the awesome rope swing trying to get across the river.

 And, of course, the fourwheelers were a big hit, as always.

 Bryant loved riding Kayden's "dirt bike."  He pretended like it was the real thing the whole weekend.

 Cameron loves the fourwheelers.

On Saturday, we took the kids down to the creek and let them play in the water.

 And, Tricia was the faithful dog and kid watcher.

I had to run to Walmart in Brigham since Bryant soaked his only pair of shoes.  I decided to bring back some plastic snakes for all of the little boys to play with in the water.  They thought that was great.

 Mike had to work all weekend (a total of 130 hours for the week) so he finally showed up on Sunday around 1 p.m.  I was not such a happy camper.

 My mom and Mike's aunt and uncle came up for Sunday dinner.

 Cameron and Rhett were pretty much inseperable.  They were filthy and enjoyed their filthy smores that they kept dropping in the dirt.

 Sitting around the fire

 The 3 Amigos: Tanner, Rhett and Cameron

Cameron and Rhett thought it would be fun to wrestle in the dirt.

 Chatting around the fire: Kevin, Becky and Tricia

Mike took the kids on one last ride

 Little miss attitude was too cool to hang out with the rest of us.

The crazy girls and Tricia