Getaway Girls...
Each year the "Sisters of Southern Highlands" (although some have relocated)" get together for a fun trip to rejuvenate ourselves from the monotony of motherhood. This year we all decided to go to Julie's BEAUTIFUL cabin on top of Zion National Park in Zion's Ponderosa. We went for some rest and relaxation (or at least I thought we were going to relax!). But something happens to me when I am away from my children...some would say I become somewhat childlike myself. NO more cleaning up after anyone; NO more refereeing the fighting; NO more driving all over town for soccer, gymnastics, etc. etc. This was all part of the recipe for the "rockinest" trip I have had in a long time with tons of laughs and very little sleep, rest, and relaxation (although just enjoying the beautiful land that God gave us without any distractions was relaxing enough).
Nicole, Roslyn and I headed off a day early on Wednesday and stayed at my Mom's house in St. George. We stayed up late, made pastries, and giggled a lot. Thursday we meet wthe rest of the crew at Tai Pan Trading to do a bit of shopping (can't go on a girls trip and not do shopping...right?!?!) We ate lunch at Pizza Factory and then we were off to Zion.
Thursday night we got all settled in and made a fancy BBQ Chicken Salad and planned the rest of the weekend. We all felt like we had to do everything before we went home...And we did do everything...Late night games, jacuzzi dips, paintball, four-wheeling, ping-pong tournament, hiking, cooking and baking (but for pleasure this time), just to name a few. This trip was so much fun! I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard, even though it was probably from the lack of sleep. It was one funny weekend!
Hiking
We decided it would be fun to go hiking in beautiful Zion National Park. Baby Owen was an exception on our trip because he was just too little to leave home. He did so good the whole trip and he loved being carried like he was royalty. Let me just say that I told Rosyln NOT to bring her stroller, and what did she say....
Roslyn: "Christa, I'm looking at the map and it says that this trail is paved."
Christa: "Roz, I'm telling you, it is NOT paved. If you bring that stroller, I'm not helping you carry it up that big mountain!"
Roslyn: "I'm going to bring it. The map says it's paved."
Christa: "Seriously! Let's think about this for a minute. How big is that mountain? You really think that it is paved to the top and around. NO WAY!"
Sure enough, the trail was not paved.
Roslyn: "OH NO! THIS TRAIL IS NOT PAVED!!"
Christa: "Nope, it's really not. I hate to say TOLD YOU SO."
We all helped carry baby Owen up that darn mountain. I needed to work off the whole pan of peanut butter bars I ate all by myself anyway! (I'm not kidding about the bars...I just couldn't stop myself!)
Paintball
The stage was set. The teams were evenly matched (at least we thought). IT'S GO TIME!!
Yellow Team
Julie
Shawna
Carrie
Christa
Orange Team
Becky
Melissa
Nicole
Roslyn
I was concentrating with all my might...ducking in the bushes, hiding behind broken down cars, trying to formulate a plan in my head. What was my strategy? Who was I going to attack? How was I NOT going to be seen. And then all of the sudden I heard the brush behind me crack...I turned around and saw someone coming out of the brush! I didn't even have time to think. I aimed and started firing on this enemy of mine when all of the sudden I hear "CHRISTA, I'M ON YOUR TEAM!! What! Could it be so?!?! Did I just shoot by own teammate?...Yep, I did. For a split second I felt bad, Then I started to laugh, then I looked at her and said "DON'T EVER DO THAT TO ME AGAIN! YOU SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME!" (I'm pretty sure she was thinking the same thing considering she was the one being shot at!). Luckily I got her right on her helmet so she didn't feel any pain. Sorry about that Shauna!
We ended up playing 3 rounds and walking away with some cool looking bruises. Our top shooter award (that's shooters, not Hooters) goes to Melissa on team Orange and Julie on Team Yellow. You both have quite the eye and aim. Good job ladies!!
Funniest moments...
Aussie Fun
Playing Mexican train and eating Lollies (candy from Australia). Becky, who just happens to be our Little Aussie Buddy, kept us on our toes with her witty humor (plus everything she says just sounds funnier with her cute little accent).
Snipe Hunt
Nicole convincing Becky to go on a "snipe hunt." You know, "snipes"...the mystical creatures of the forest that only come out at night. It was like we were 12 years old and in Young Women all over again! If it wasn't for Roslyn we would have had her too! Thanks a lot Roz! Why you gotta be so honest! Ha!
Breakfast for Zombies
I had Saturday breakfast duty. Ok, first let me remind you we had been staying up late. Anyway, I got up hoping that all I had to do was set out a couple of bowls, some cereal, and milk. But of course not...This is a trip with Julie Stott we're talking about here. She had a gourmet breakfast recipe all ready to go. I barely could keep my eyes open to read the darn recipes! Becky, for some odd reason, was up also so she just automatically came into the kitchen with me. We were so tired! I was trying to figure out what I was making as I'm trying my best to follow the recipe. The recipe said to melt the butter. Ok, so far not that hard, right? Wrong! I went to put the butter in the hot oven and caught myself. "Wow, that was close!" Then I grabbed teh plate and went to stick it in the cupboard. "Oh my gosh! What am I doing???" By that time Becky and I are just rolling with laughter. I could not get my head on straight to think MICROWAVE. The whole rest of the breakfast went that way. I'm just glad it turned out in the end and it was yummy.
Perfect hair...not so perfect
Julie is always so put together every single day at home. She always has her hair and make-up done and looks just gorgeous. One night she stayed up late with Becky and Nicole to sit in the hot tub. When she was getting ready for bed she realized she didn't have any conditioner, so she didn't use any. That next morning she came out of her room rubbing her eyes saying, "sorry about my hair guys...couldn't find the conditioner." Julie's pretty and perfect hair wasn't so perfect anymore! It was sticking straight up, completely a mess, and it looked like she just stuck her finger in a live socket! It was nice to know that we are good enough friends that she can show us the "just out of bed Julie". Becky especially couldn't stop laughing. Thanks Julie, and WE LOVE YOU!
River rafting
River rafting was also an adventure that we all really enjoyed. I especially like all the creepy little bugs that would crawl on you or try and hitch a ride on my tube and because the river wasn't that high we got some major bumps and bruises from the rocks hitting our butts.
We were told many times not to swing on the rope that was hanging from a tree but Julie and I couldn't resist. Julie looked pretty graceful swinging from the rope, and then it was my turn. I'm not going to lie, I was a little apprehensive when I got up on the rock, but I did it anyway. It wasn't so bad. It actually was fun until I slipped and went under the water! I think it took becky 15 minutes to finally decide to swing from the rope and then started to chicken out when she was finally ready. It just took a minute of teasing her for her to swing.
Allyson would not get out of the tube. She was determined to get down the river without getting out.
