Moab

We have not been to Moab since we left Utah seven years ago, and maybe not for a year or two before we left...close to 10 years maybe.  I mean, we have been to the desert plenty, but not Moab proper.  Man, forgot how beautiful it is.  Seriously breathtaking.  We actually camped in Castle Valley, hiked in Arches NP, and also up Potash Road outside of Moab.  We even got a dip into the Colorado River before heading home on Monday.  It was cold, but not unbearable.  Both kids got in before I did...but I did eventually get in.  It was a highlight.  Also, the blooming cactus were a high point for me.  They also take my breath away.

A few Sego Lillies around too.  

Pedro, in all his glory.  

A little biking/ evening walk from camp.

Ruby finds heart rocks everywhere.  She collects them, makes me hold them, wants to keep them, give them to people, etc.  She also found the amazingly huge heart in the rock below.  I hope she continues to search for love everywhere she goes, even in the rocks. 

So, it was rainy off and on throughout the weekend.  It mostly rained when we were in the car and was beautiful and sunny when we were not.  So, that worked out. 

Dad, studying the map over breakfast to find a good place to hike in case the rain doesn't stop.

On our way up to Delicate Arch in Arches NP.  There were A LOT of people making this trek on this sunny Saturday, but it was stunning nonetheless.  And, to my delight, shortly after coming around the corner and laying eyes on Delicate Arch, Owen says, "I know that arch.  It is on my car." (license plate he means, but close enough!)  So, the decision to see this iconic arch was worth it.  They will see that image EVERYWHERE living in Utah.

Me and my people.  I love them dearly. :)

Rounding the bend...

And there she blows!

A man proposed to a woman under the arch right before we left.  It was pretty sweet.  

On to the Devil's Garden to climb and explore around.

A slightly rainy evening back at camp.  However, not too rainy to make Smores...or sit on your sister.

View...from bed the next morning.  Not bad.

Hiked out to Corona Arch.  

It was a really cool hike- ropes, ladders, and the option to get on top of the arch if you big enough and brave enough- not us now, but maybe one day.

Ruby has been working on her "forced perspective" photos.  She wanted it to look like she is holding the arch.  She was pretty happy with the results.

"Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit."

Edward Abbey

Spring

This is my office.  I feel so much gratitude for how well this whole adventure has gone.  I truly love my clients.  I feel honored and humbled on a regular basis.  So much bravery, so much vulnerability, so much growth.  It is inspiring.  

Chili!  They definitely liked making this more than eating it.  Oh well, we gotta start somewhere, eh?

Spring has been ALL ABOUT bugs- finding them, moving them, giving them new homes (pictured above- who knew my ice cream container would get to have a second life!), and calling me over with excitement saying, "Mom, you gotta check this out!" every time they find one they haven't seen before.  

And, along those lines, we have 2,000 brand new family members.  They should multiply quickly.  This is going to get good.  Eventually they will eat about a half pound of "food" a day and leave us with awesome compost for our new garden!  Yes people, a garden!  Composting, camping more, a garden- I love it!  I feel like finally some dormant parts of myself are coming back to life...in the spring...how perfect.  

Ruby and Owen have loved their first year at PEEK.  They concluded it with a performance called "America".  They have been practicing the songs and hand movements for weeks at home.  They were SO excited.  They will go there again for preschool next year but change classrooms.  We feel grateful to have a place where they are comfortable, doing well, and learning lots. 

They look so grown up to me.

Spring Showers bring, Aunt Tina!

We started off the visit with our new tradition, Ruby Snap.  We consumed more cookies this trip than I ever would have guessed.  As you will see in a picture to come, we even made a second trip before Tina left.  Aw yeah.

This is a little project that I made for our house.  Tina just took a picture of it and I have been meaning to post this. So...

We showed Aunt Tina how we like to juice.  Owen decided the most fun toy this morning was carrot tops, I mean, they are "little islands".

Aunt Tina read a lot of chapters in the latest chapter book.  We had a lot of home time this visit.  Ruby was pretty sick.  She started off the visit with a fever, had that for a few days, missed school for a few days, and was coughing like crazy.  Poor girl!

We did manage to get out for a visit to the park.  Everyone looks healthy here!

Apparently playing with the compostables is entertaining.  

So are these glasses that Tina brought with her for Ruby and Owen.  They have been the biggest hit!

Let's show Aunt Tina what we have been working on at school. 

We really love cookies.  This is the other routine visit- to Java Cow!  This time they went without me while mom worked. :)

Finally, by Wednesday, kids were well enough to go to school for a half day.  We woke up this mooring to A LOT of snow!  So, Tina and I headed out on a snowy exploration walk.

This photo is my favorite by far!  John calls....from sunny California while Tina is out tromping in the snow with me.  Classic.

Later that afternoon we continued the exploration with a trip to the Gateway Children's Museum.  

So much to explore and do including an art class where Ruby drew this beautiful bird!

And, oh, wait, one more trip to you know where.

AND, what a day!  We also had basketball this evening.  

Thanks for visiting, Aunt Tina!!  It was a bummer that Ruby was so sick, but you were so flexible and easy going about doing nothing while she recovered.  We look forward to next year!!

And, in other news, I am trying to make bread more often again.  Kids art projects in the background,  mom's in the foreground.  

We must have a million of this photo.  One day i will line them all up. :)

Happy Birthday to mom!  We went to Red Butte to explore, we had our second annual clothes exchange, and dad made an amazing dinner!  I will have to get a picture of the awesome piece of art they got me too.  A huge and heavy stone turtle for the garden.  He is adorable.