Guess what?
We are back in California.
I am back to my day job as a taxi driver.
Here I am trying to update you by a video blog...
Yeah..major fail! I tried a few times...I kept talking and talking for a good 5min or so. Then realized it stopped recording only 15sec into my blabbing.
Guess I should get a real flip cam and not try to vlog via phone.
Or maybe just skip the whole trend of vlogging all together!
So let me bring you up to date by normal blogging...
We arrived a little over a week ago.
Life is crazy hectic. (what's new?)
The weather is HOT! (today should reach 112)
Daddy's back to working (12hrs on catch up work)
Kids and I are getting ready for school and trying to find a home.(not fun)
House hunting is hard especially when your not sure where you want to live????
Or even which state???
We have a ton of major decisions ahead of us..
Praying for wisdom.
Missing the open road....
But craving a "home" and a little bit or normalcy (whatever that is?)
Day 32
On our way to Bryce Canyon, Utah
We stopped in Red Canyon, a shallow valley in the side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau surrounded by much exposed, orange red sandstone. The rocks are eroded into the familiar pinnacles, spires, columns and hoodoos also found in the national park a few miles to the east, just on a smaller scale and with less color variation. The main road is quite busy but most visitors hurry on to Bryce without even stopping and enjoying Red Canyon. We made a point to stop and enjoy the beauty of Red Canyon.
Soon we arrived at Bryce Canyon...
and enjoyed....
Beautiful views!
We drove through Bryce and got out at each stop to hike. big brother helping the little lady over the log... 
these two seriously crack me up! 
They have the funniest personalities...check out Farrah. 
The Ranger asked the kids if they have ever done a Jr. Ranger program before. The kids said, yes! Then the Ranger said,"oh, great! Which other National Park have you been too?" The kids responded with excitement... Philadelphia, Boston, Gettysburg,Carlsbad Caverns,Yellowstone, Washington D.C.,Cincinnati,Petroglyphs in New Mexico, Scotts Bluff,The Alamo,Mount. St. Helens,Glacier,Oklahoma City,Mammoth Caves,Devils Tower,Georgia State Parks,Nashville,and Jamestown .. just to name a few! 
Needless to say, the Ranger was very impressed:)
We spent all day at Bryce!The RV is in some need of new tires (not cheap) another oil change (not cheap either)
and a wash!
(pretty cheap)
when you have these two to help:)
It was a hot day so washing the RV wasn't too much of a chore. 
Maggie and the little girls just stayed inside and watched the outside entertainment of soap fights... 
Day 33 We drove our clean home on wheels to... Sand Hollow, Utah Located between St. George and Hurricane. It's Utah's newest state park. With its warm, blue waters and red sandstone landscape, Sand Hollow has become one of Utah's most popular parks. 
Utah Rocks! literally! 
Austin had a blast rock climbing and cliff diving... Farrah is learning her letters and found this... Look Mommy.. an "F" 
When the kids spotted this spot they had Razor's in mind.... they picked up speed and enjoyed flying down the hill. 
We soon learned that the water was filled with pesticides and people offer get swimmers itch from swimming at Sand Hollow.So we made sure to keep our mouths closed while jumping off cliffs and rinsed off right away!
Day 34
The next day we moved to Quail Creek where we were told the water was warmer and so no pesticides are found.
We enjoyed a full day of fun in the sun!
Itch free:) Later that night ...
we enjoyed a beautiful view of the night sky.
Bright stars...
and just so happen to be the night that the most reliable meteor shower of the year was to be observed.
We couldn't of had a better view!
Amazing:)
I am going to try to be better at following up on comments now that we are "parked"
I would love to get to know "you" out there! If you read this blog, please introduce yourself. Where are you following from? Maybe how long you have been reading...and why you live where you live:)
still playing catch up on our trip...
Stay tuned for Zion!
20 comments:
OMG!!! I've tried 'vlogging' and it did the same thing. Never got my 1st vlog up... Your blog is a breath of fresh air!.
Fun! We can't wait to get to Utah. We're in Washington for a week or so now. Of course we live everywhere, because we can't decide either. :) Love your pics! Thanks for sharing. See you soon!
Hi! I'm Melissa. I live in Chino, CA. My friend from Calvary Chapel (Laura Ramirez) introduced me to your blog. I was thinking about homeschooling and she said, "check this chick out!" I've been reading your blog since you left for the road! You amaze me & I love your honesty.
We just started Kindergarten yesterday :)
I hope one day to take a trip like you have done. SO FUN!!!
Good luck with the home search... Big decision! We are in Chino because of church & family... and frankly we haven't even looked to live anywhere else! I don't know if I could live far from all my fam...
God blesss!!
I just found your website, so I'm a newbie of only a few weeks :) I've so enjoyed following your road adventures, as it is something that I would love to do. Alas, my hubby's job doesn't allow us the opportunity.
I have three kids. My oldest son is 12 and in 7th grade (the joys of teaching a teen - Ugh!), my daughter is 8 and in 3rd and our youngest is 5 and she's starting K this year. We live in Lancaster County and enjoy the east coast (maybe another reason why I'd love to travel in the West!).
Thanks for sharing your adventures with us :)
Hi! I'm Becky from Oregon (hope you enjoyed your short drive through our state). I've got 4 kids, looking to adopt some more. The first 3 are biological.
I enjoy following your blog, although I do admit I don't pay TOO close of attention to all the sites you visit, so I can experience them first (someday)! :) We love to travel. But we can't do the RV thing.
We also homeschool :) Thanks for taking us along on your adventures! You seem like a really fun mom with great ideas and I love that you can be laid back about things like pesticide water, sand, and last minute events, just living life to the fullest :)
And lastly, I totally smiled when you were writing about the time your son was naming off all of the fancy bird names to that guy standing next to him. My 8 year old son is a major bird fanatic!
God Bless :)
Really enjoy all your pictures. It looks so beautiful out there. Hope you find the right house and state ;) for your family. Are you going to continue to homeschool the kids once you decide on where to settle? Just curious... Not sure if you remember the email I sent you a couple months ago (i'm sure you get several) but we are expecting #4 this Christmas, and it's a girl! I couldn't be more excited!!
www.usandourthree.blogspot.com
You take the most incredible pictures! I enjoy looking at all the beautiful places you've been to! I will be keeping you in my prayers as you nare facing this tough decisions ahead, of where to live etc. Many blessings to you and your family.
Jill
My name is Malia- I have four kids and a wonderful husband in the Coast Guard. We just moved from New Orleans to Northern Virginia. I am originally from Hawaii, went to high school in Oregon, college in Montana and now home is where WE are. :) We love seeing new places, meeting new people and worshiping with fellow Christians at each new stop. We have homeschooled for the past 3 years and are attempting public school for our oldest two this year (gulp!) We are excited and nervous, but feel this is where God is calling us (this year). I don't even remember where I found your blog... but it's been a while- over a year. My sister lives in Southern California and you remind me of what she might be like if she homeschooled. Cute, blond, and funny. (those are all compliments) :) If you really have time to check out my blog, you are welcome to- you just have to be invited. :) Mother-in-law paranoia. :) beaumaliapowers@yahoo.com
LOVE reading about your family and being reminded each time not to blink!
Hi! My name is Cynthia and I have loved following your blog for, gosh - I'm not sure how long. I know it was well before Christmas! I found your blog through a friend's blog. I couldn't imagine how you homeschooled, let alone did it "on the road"! What I thought was a crazy idea has turned out to be the choice we made (not the road part, just the homeschooling). We just started our first year. We have 3 kids - 9, 7, and 7 still at home. The oldest (20) moved out after high school. We live in Cape Girardeau, MO and love it. Only been here for about 7 years, but it feels like home. We were moved here for a job promotion, lost that job, and stayed! I am a homemaker and my husband is a pastor. It is a conservative town which suits us well. Only about 30,000 people, but we're in-between St Louis and Memphis, so lots to do! Happy house-hunting! I hope you will continue to blog. I have loved "getting to know" your precious family and appreciate you being REAL!
Blessings,
Cynthia
Hello! I'm Ashley From North Carolina. I've been reading for probably a year now :) I have a 20month old and a 8 week old :) Both girls! I love your blog! Next time you're in NC you should check out our zoo, it's AMAZING!
Hi (little wave)! My name is Shelby and I have been following your blog for about a year. I can't even remember how I found it but I have been hooked ever since. I am a homeschooling mother of four (three girls and a boy; ages 18mo. to 8yrs.) living in Louisville, KY. If your heart isn't set on CA then you should think about KY! I know you buzzed through here so I am sure you know what a fab state it is! We love living here! The family values are amazing and there is a huge homeschooling community here! Just my two cents. :) Lots of luck while you make these important decisions!
Hi Bridget! We've spoken through email before. I'm Mariel, a mom of 4 little ones ages 4, 3, 1, and 4 months. We plan on homeschooling and are even looking into traveling for a year just because of your blog! You've inspired us! My husband works with computers and it would be possible for him to work remotely. I've been reading your blog for a while now, but didn't realize you were quitting your travels. Was this always the plan or sudden? Were you tired of living on the road or did you stop for other reasons. I ask since we are considering doing the same and don't want to make any mistakes in the process :) Thanks for all you write. I really enjoy reading it!!
I've been following you for over a year--I can't remember how I came across your blog. I live in La Verne, CA and grew up right down the street in San Dimas. I love living in La Verne because it's a small town feel and family oriented-but also because I can't imagine being far from my family; although Kansas was pretty beautiful. . .Love the idea of homeschooling and wonder if that might be the direction we decide to go with my son who just started kinder on Mon. He goes but, "He's not gonna like it." and "wants to go to home school."
Hi there! My name is Kate. I'm from West Linn, Oregon and I came across your blog while browsing Families on the Road. I homeschool my four adopted children (5, 7, and two 11) and have been wanting to take them across the country. Any tips or suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks!
Hi,
My name is Laura Meyers. I've been reading your blog for a few months because my husband and I dreamed of doing what you're doing. I'm a teacher, so the schooling would have been priamarily my area. Our kids were a bit older though when we suggested this 4-5 years ago and just weren't ready to leave friends and sports. We have friend that have also gone on the road in an RV to do mission work which we're hoping to do some day. I'm from Reinbeck, IA. I'm not sure how I found your blog, but I enjoy it. My blog address is http://laurakmeyers.blogspot.com/-I must admit I'm not as dedicated as you are though.
I'm Ashley. I live in Bakersfield, CA. We moved here about a year ago from St. Louis, Missouri so my husband could finish his 3rd and 4th years of medical school. I started following your blog about 6months ago and have loved reading about your journey.
I've been following your travels...I read your blog some before you 'hit the road'...I like to travel and love the great outdoors so have enjoyed 'visiting' all the parks along with you and your family. I have two girls, one in uni and one a recent graduate.
I live in NJ because this is where hubs job is...we are in the NW part of the state and its beautiful and less than an hour into Manhattan and outrageously expensive. We would love to be living on a lake in one of the Carolinas but that will probably have to wait for retirement. I would also love to be living back in a quaint English village or on a lake in the northern part of Italy but that might just be a dream at this point. We've lived overseas for six years and have only been back in NJ for one. We've moved a lot in the US too and I know I can be happy anywhere. Best of luck with all your big decisions...Joyce
Hi I am Ali, living and working with the carnival for the season. Currently in Salem, OR till the 6th of September when we move to Puyallup, WA for 3 weeks.
I have been following along for just a couple of weeks, can't remember who I jumped from to get here.
I keep my own blog (www.ali1257blogspot.com) check it out if you have time.
Am a God loving Christian, wife of almost 35 years, mom of a 32 and 30 year old, Grammy to Max, Christopher and Opal.
Take care and have a great day.
Hi!
My name is Kim, I live in Clermont (an Orlando suburb) and I think I've been following your blog for a year or so. I'm not sure how I happened upon it but, I'm so glad I did! I've been reading your blog since before you hit the road--I think the owner let the home you were renting go into foreclosure? Anyway---we live in Clermont, I have a son named Jacob, he's 10. I am married to wonderful man--we've been together for 20 years. We've lived in Florida for 5 years and I would never live anywhere else! I love it here! We've lived all over the southeast and west coast and Florida is home.
I don't homeschool and I'm not particularly religous and I've never lived life on the road BUT I think your kids are darling, I love your honesty and openness and I find you to be quite funny. So, I continue to read and get my updates on the Ryans. :)
Nice to meet you, Bridget!
Hi girls! Thank you so much for following! I look forward to checking out your blogs and getting to know you too.
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