Adventuring {April Hikes}

Dry dirt was back at last in April, so we got a few valley hikes under our shoes.

9 April 2018: Pineview Trail, from the Windsurfer Beach Trailhead, a Monday Night Hike (MNH), our first official Valley hike of the season, which coincidentally (or not) has been the same hike on almost the same day for the past two Aprils!

11 April 2018:  Pineview Trail, from the North Arm Trailhead, which finally had the caution tape removed from the entrance.  We were thrilled that after two years it was finally open!  And then we got to the first bridge, not far down the trail.  Womp, womp.  (That's the sound of a sad trombone, in case you were wondering.)  Oh well, we still were able to walk past the bridge toward the lake a little further, and that's better than nothing.

Full disclosure: I did tell them to give me a sad
face.  But don't you think they delivered? ;)

bonus video!

"loud frogs"

(you know it's spring in the valley when . . .)

24 April 2018: Middle Fork Trail, a MNH on a Tuesday, I guess.  I definitely questioned their choice in footwear for this hike, especially as we climbed a steep sandy hill.  But then we came to the "river crossing" portion, and the wisdom of my young ones came into full focus.  They had a blast splashing, wading, and rock tossing in the little stream across the road.  And Gregg and I enjoyed the peaceful moments watching from the grassy shore.

28 April 2018: Wolf Canyon Trail, a Saturday morning hike for a change.  We've been on this one a few times, but never super far, but this time my friend Erin told me about some cool old machinery that she and her family found, so we decided to try going further.  It was a gorgeous and springy and the best way to spend a Saturday morning that I can think of.

Hiking sticks and backpacks.  I can't handle the
cuteness!

Be still my heart!

A Fabulous Friday

April 27th wasn't anything special calendar-wise, but it turned out to be quite a fun-filled adventure of a day.  And it all started with a most excellent suggestion from Gregg when we first woke up: donuts for breakfast!  After a brisk bundled Burley walk to the store, we found ourselves chomping on fresh, soft, sweet donuts all the way home.

After donuts, the kids and I headed to Ogden for an outing.  I had admired the gorgeous tulips and blossoms on the temple grounds on Thursday evening after my session, and I really wanted Callie to see them because I knew she would love them.  So we made a first stop there, to wander around the sidewalks admiring (and smelling) every single flower.  We all loved them!  It was delightful and made me remember that spring is really here, after all!

I had to keep this one of the too bright squints
for posterity.  Ha.

Oh how I love spring!  And I love these two!

After a few minutes at the temple we made our way to the dinosaur park.  We hadn't visited inside the museum since getting our pass, so that was our first stop.  Sam handled the animatronic dinosaurs on the second floor much better than I expected.  Soon we made our way outside where we happened to see some friends, who we explored the park and even picnicked in the shade with.

Lunching with our friends, Elon and Gavin.

Their best dinosaur impressions.  RAWR!

Spinosaurus for company.

The most amazing part?  We were home by nap time (Sam fell asleep in the car in the canyon).  One of the best mornings we've had in a while.

Grandpa and Grandma Missionaries Come Home

Our missionary grandparents returned from their mission in Ohio on April 23rd.  Their original plan was to come back in November, but due to some health issues they decided it would be best to come home a little early to rest and get healthy again.  We met up with the Wihongis and some cute young women from Paul and Kim's ward on Monday afternoon to decorate their house and await their arrival.  It was fun to be there to watch the returned missionaries pull up and welcome them back to Utah.  Then we ate a Cafe Rio picnic on the deck, visited for a while, and even got to go for a walk with the famous grandpa wagon.  We're so happy they're back!

Then, the next Sunday (the 29th) we got to have them come visit and eat dinner with us.  Callie made sure to show off her reading skills.  And they brought us the yummiest present ever from Amish country in Ohio!