Capitol Reef

Today after the girls got their practice in we headed out to Capitol Reef National Park. We went there because the orchards are bearing fruit and you can pick a pound of fruit for a dollar. Also, this is one of my most favorite parks. After today, I think I could actually say it is my very favorite.

We took a million pictures. Clarissa, when you are grown up and feel sad that we might not have taken enough pictures of you, flag this post! We didn’t even post half of the pictures we took of you. You are so cute and we just love you so much. You make every member of the family smile–all the time.

This first set of pictures we took in the pear orchard across from the historic Mormon schoolhouse. The pears were disgusting but we loved picking them. (Actually, Lydia and Mary obsessed over making sure they each picked the EXACT SAME number of pears, but when we finally moved beyond that, it was fun.)

Then we drove down to an apple orchard. This one had wild turkeys running around!

Abe threw Clarissa high. He has been working out and didn’t realize how far she’d fly. She actually rotated on the way down and Abe had to scramble to catch her without hurting her. She landed on his face and bent his glasses, but we are all just glad she’s alive. Abe put this photo in the delete file on his phone but I retrieved it. It gives him anxiety. But I feel like we went through a lot for the photo, so why not keep the amazing photo since everything turned out just fine?

Then Abe and I both, unbeknownst to each other, took turns taking selfies with Clarissa. I discovered his selfies afterwards. I think we were both just happy to cuddle with her.

Ammon had fun checking out the wild turkeys:

Clarissa had fun walking around the orchard trying to find stuff to eat.

And then we tried to get some planned shots:

Then we drove to the petroglyphs. Ammon has a knack for adopting the grumpiest old men. This time he found one who really wanted nothing to do with him, and Ammon kept saying, “MOMMY! IT’S MY GWANDPA!! LOOK, MOMMY! I FOUND GRANDPA!!!”

…I desperately coaxed him away from Mr. Grumpy, and Ammon only left his new friend with the greatest reluctance.

Clarissa on the boardwalk by the petroglyphs.

Then we went to the schoolhouse and looked around.

We were going to eat dinner at a restaurant in Torrey, but then we decided we would rather get home at 9pm instead of midnight. So we drove straight home. I felt very cared for because I was in the mood for carbs and cheese–pizza–, and I thought my only option in small town Utah was Little Ceaser’s. We drove right by one without realizing, but in Gunnison when we were desperate for food, we found a great DRIVE THROUGH pizza place! And the pizza was amazing. We were all so thankful. I felt that God had given me something better than I imagined, which seems to be a frequent pattern in my life. I know I don’t deserve it, but I am so grateful.