Camping

We camped out for three of our four nights.  It got down to 20 degrees one night and that was cold.  Everyone was warm but me though.  The other nights it was 30 degrees and that seemed down right balmy!

It was a beautiful camping spot.  Right next to a river, lots of trees and these gorgeous mountains all around.

"All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator"   Alma 30:44

Zions National Park- Angel's Landing

For Spring Break this year we headed down to Zion's National Park.  We went for a visit at the perfect time of year.  Warm, sunny days and cool breezes.  Perfect for hiking.  Which we did a lot of -  22 miles in 4 days.

Our first day we hit Angel's Landing.

After a pretty strenuous climb you hit these- Walter's Wiggles.  The above picture doesn't do it justice...

But this one does!!!  It's actually not that bad.  At the top of this is Scout's Lookout where Kai and Elaina and I took a rest while the rest of the crew went on to tackle.....

THIS!!- Angle's Landing.  Named thus because they thought only an angel could get there by landing on it.  The narrow ridge you see has drop off of 1500 ft on one side and 800 feet on the other.  It is not for the faint of heart.  But it is a thrill!!!

We saw many adults who wouldn't dare attempt it- but our six year old Kaleb did.

Of course he had a very able-bodied assistant.

At the top- an angel really has landed.

The view from the top was breath-taking.  Really if you look over the side too far- you felt your breath taken away! :)  It was definitely an adrenaline rush.

Seth found a nice resting spot- never mind the enormous drop offs on either side.  This is the chain that helped you along most of the trail.  I can't imagine what it was like for the workmen to install.  Scary!

After crew #1 got back down Brig, Seth and I headed up for my turn.  There were times I considered turning around.  It wasn't bad heading up but thinking about going down it for some reason was getting to me.  My boys would have nothing to do with it as they kept pushing me onward and upward.  I am so  glad they did.  It was Spectacular!

Thanks for the escort!  You guys are awesome!

We found some hidey holes on the way back down.

Back down at the bottom of the trail, the icy water felt fantastic on our hiking feet.

It was a great start to an amazing  week!

Good Reads

I LOVE that Cakes has discovered books!

Some of our favorites:

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Very Hungry Bear- Don and Audrey Wood-  Kai had this memorized at 18 months.  Sooooo much fun!
Piggies- Don and Audrey Wood- we spend a long time looking at all the great piggy pictures.

How Are  You Peeling?- Joost Elfers- so creative.

Any of Maz Lucado's Wemmicks-  can't get enough- they are all great. They made some into little movies- they are all fantastic! 

My recent books:

Kate Morton: The House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden

Leif Enger- So Brave, Young, Handsome
Charles Portis- True Grit

Kathleen Kent- The Heretic's Daughter

Dauphne Du Mauier- Rebecca

I really liked all of these- for lots of different reasons. Have you read anything great lately?

"Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere."

Teamwork

All the boys building shelves in the garage together.

Good Times!

Starlight Skating

Our orthodontist (neighbor) has patient appreciation nights every now and then and we decided to take him up on the latest.  We headed over to Starlight Skating and I was transported back to seventh grade.  My friends would periodically head over to the skating rink for a good time.  This experience was exactly the same- the hokey poky in the middle- disco ball- "couples" skate with dimmed lights.  Too funny!  Some things really do stay the same!

If you want to feel rich, just count the things you have that money can’t buy.

Spring???

Is it warming up outside for you?  Is the grass getting greener- are the daffodils popping up?  Are your trees blossoming?

Well...it isn't here.  It is still snowing every other day!!!!  It usually melts off during the day- but it is very cold and the wind is biting.  We are already freezing our tails off in spring soccer- but since it is still snowing and I just found these cute pictures on Katry's camera- I thought I'd share.

Come on Spring.  You can do it- show yourself!!!

One More Accolade

Brigham- seen here acting in our Mutual Skits- was just accepted as one of only five Freshman Leaders in the National Honor Society.  Pretty impressive!  He is also hot stuff on the road as he has started taking Driver's Ed.  We are extremely excited that he is on the way to being a self sustained driver and can soon take himself to his plethora of activities!  Yippee!