Hector's Half Marathon

Hector ran the Big Bear half Marathon and we are so proud of him.  We had so much fun in Big Bear!!!!!  We met Ryan Halls father Mickey Hall ( Ryan Hall is U.S.A 's big hope for ever winning a medal in  Olympic Marathon competition)  and he gave such an inspirational pep talk.  The Halls are a very christian family who truly shine as examples of service and moral standards( Not to mention they are amazing atheletes ).  We were so happy to meet them and introduce our family to them.  Hector finished in 2 hours 17 mins. which was truly something to be proud of for a first half marathon and at such high elevations.  Hopefully we'll do more together in the future.  We cheered him on at miles 8, 1o, and 12 chanting, "go daddy go, go daddy go". Aaron ran the last mile with him and we were so proud.  Now they all want a turn. 

Hiking in the river through the Narrows/ Temple of Sinawava

Oh how we love the Narrows, it is one of the most beautiful parts of Zion.  The Virgin River begins to run through all of Zion National Park Starting a good 18 miles north of the Watchman Campground, where we camp and play in the river.  We take a bus 8 miles north into the park and start our hike on a 1 mile paved path called the Temple of Sinawava.  Then we hike in the Virgin river until the walls start to Narrow on us.  Thus the Virgin River Narrows.  We only hiked in about a mile and a half because it is a slow tromp through rocks, the current pushing against us, and not to metion 5 small children.  Hyrum and Aaron really wanted to keep going but we knew it would get too strenuous after a while.  Hector and I hiked in 3 miles or so about 8 years ago and hurried out because it started to rain and we feared flash floods which do occur sometimes.  We have promised the kids we will take them farther in when they are older and stronger.  The farther in the more beautiful and amazing the walls become that have been carved by the river.  These pictures do not do justice to the actual beauty.  It truly is an amazingly beautiful adventure.  This is one National Park no one should miss.

Tubing in the Virgin River

Wednesday the 27th of August we spent 8 plus hours going up and down the Virgin River just having the time of our lives.  Thanks to my Dad and my Angel Mother who took us here practically ever summer I am passing on some of the greatest memories and traditions of camping and swimming at one of the most beautiful places on Earth.  It was hard to pull the kids away to do some hikes and visit other parts of the park.

Back to Zion! Our last fling before school starts!

As you can see the kids were being really helpful while Dad put up the tent.  They did eventually help hammer in some of the stakes but not without first destroying some rocks.  Mila made sure she came dressed for the occasion in her whitest dress.  It mixed well with the red sand. We stayed in the Watchman campground, named after the beautiful sandstone mountain you see in the first and last photo.  These are some of the mountains you see upon entering the town of Springdale just outside of Zion.  We love the red rock mountains.  We wish we could live here.  In fact were talking about visiting over Thanksgiving break we love it so much.  It's only about 4 and a half hours from home so we love going.

Wall Arch Crumbles!!!!!!! August 10, 2008

These are pictures we took of Wall Arch back in March of this year, the kids had so much fun playing in it.  Unfortunately it fell yesterday blocking the 7 mile round trip hike into the Devils Garden area of Arches National Park.  We were so lucky we got to enjoy its beauty before it collapsed. The park rangers kept saying, " one never knows when an arch may fall, it could be gone tomorrow ".


The Collapsed Wall Arch

Mila misses her cousin Ezra!!!!!

I just had to put these pictures up because Mila is so in love with her cousin Ezra.  She talks about him lots. We have only been home for a couple of days and its hard to be apart from the cousins.  We love and miss you all so much.  What a great  and unforgetable summer it has been!

It's Tia Lula's Birthday!

We caught Tia Lula and Uncle Larry in Layton, Utah just before their trip to Washington.  We had a picnic and played in the park.  We're sure glad we got to visit.  We love you both very much!  Have a wonderful birthday Tia Lula!  Lot's of love, La Familia Torres