EMERALD POOL LOOP

Magical Memories are in these pictures. Stimulate your senses with a walk through the majestic red cliffs of Zion National Park. That's what we did on this Memorial Day...

MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL

"As you pass through the Tower Gates, shed 1,000 years of time - pass into the world of the Middle Ages - to the days of Knights and chivalry, dragons and fair maidens awaiting rescue! Wander through the marketplace and gaze upon authentically attired tradesman and artisans, potters, blacksmiths, millers, carpenters, glass blowers all working their trade."

So states the description of the "Days of Camelot" we attended yesterday. Asa experienced it first on Friday and insisted that I take him and Hamilton out on Saturday. We spent the day enjoying the middle ages.

Authentic period costumes, the sights, the sounds, the tastes...it was a very fun day. They ran the maze of the Dragon Dungeon and played live chess. We watched the tournament of horses and strolled through the merchant marketplace. The boys came away with a few swords and I came away with the memories.

BUSY SUNDAY

While we were home taking care of religion, Rakai was in Texas playing rugby with the Las Vegas Blackjacks. They won both games and are on to the Semi Finals in Denver. I think my boys will be headed to Colorado in a couple of weeks to support their brother.

usarugby.org tells it like this...

DIVISION I
Pearl City is the only 2008 semifinalist that will make a return trip to Glendale’s Infinity Park in 2009. Last year, the Iowa-based team met a disappointing semifinal loss at the hands of the Glendale Raptors, but with its 41-11 Round of 8 victory over Atlanta Old White, the squad gets a chance to redeem itself this time around.

Pearl City took control of its match versus Atlanta early on and led 17-3 before the end of the first half. They steadily built their lead in the second half and defended aggressively, only allowing Atlanta to score in the last five minutes of the game.

The Iowa team now looks ahead to the semifinals where it meets Las Vegas – and getting past the Blackjacks should prove a trying task, as they roll into Colorado on the heels of a thrilling playoff finish versus Glendale. Down by as much as 22 points in their Round of 8 meeting against the Raptors, Las Vegas refused to back down and try-by-try, the team muscled its way back to a 22-20 game as the second half wound down.

It seemed time was running out for the Blackjacks, who missed two late penalty kick opportunities that would have put them up top, but at the death, No. 7 Tom Carter powered in for a huge try. The successful conversion ushered in the final whistle, with the score stuck at 27-22 in Las Vegas’ favor.

ADVENTURES AT THE MALL

Yesterday we drove to Las Vegas to watch Rakai's rugby game. When it was over Rakai wanted to go shopping at the Outlets. Uggh! Have you ever been to this place. Frolicking through the throngs of people is not my idea of fun. Crowds and me do not go together. But we went. Ra found a bench close to the door of each store and Hamilton found this...