Arches and Canyonlands

The Windows

Looking through arch to Delicate Arch

Hiking to Delicate Arch

The family under Delicate Arch

Kessler hiking to Sandstone Arch

Stairs on Park Ave.

Caulder rock climbing

Arches

Mat and Kessler taking shelter from the sun on Park Ave.

We made it to Canyonlands!

The Needles

Stop for lunch

Hiking the Potholes trail in Canyonlands

Caulder and Kessler in the narrow canyons

Climbing up ladders along the trail

Mat and the boys amongst the stunning scenery of Canyonlands

Caulder

Caulder and Kessler hiking through an old Native American cave shelter.

Large boulders

Hiking up to Timpanogos caves

Inside the caves

 We decided last minute to take a road trip down to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks (near Moab) over Labor Day weekend. Once we finally found a campsite, which turned out to be much more difficult than we anticipated, we headed into Arches. We explored the Park Avenue trail, and the Window's arches. Since our campsite was near the Southern entrance of Canyonlands, we decided to explore the Needles area of the park. Canyonlands was a great surprise. Easily as stunning as Arches. We took Caulder and Kessler on many beautiful hikes through the park. Sunday we toured the upper region of Arches, and hiked to the famous Delicate Arch, which was a surprisingly grueling hike up slick rock and along ledges of sheer cliffs. We also checked out Sandstone Arch, and the cool campground (which we hope to camp at next time we go to Arches). Monday we made a detour to Timpanogos National Monument and Caves just South of Salt Lake City. After 85 degree weather in Southern Utah, we were greeted with snow in Northern Utah. Despite the cold weather, the park is beautiful. It is situated up a narrow canyon in the Wasatch Mountains. The hike up to the caves is a three mile round trip hike with a 1000 feet elevation gain. The caves are interesting, and the park was well worth the detour.

Camping at Bruneau Dunes

Mat took the boys, without mom, to Bruneau dunes to camp for a night last weekend while I played in a golf tournament. Bruneau dunes is a pretty oasis in the middle of the desert with some very tall impressive sand dunes. They also have one of the largest telescopes open to the public in the United States. It you're willing to stay up late, they open it up to the public. The amount of detail you can see through it is amazing. . They all had a fun time, even though it poured all night. We're looking forward to many more camping trips this summer.

Potty Trained

Caulder and Kessler are officially potty trained. Here is what 5 months of stickers on a chart looks like. As you can see the lower right hand corner is the easiest place for the boys to reach.

Easter

Waiting to see the Trailblazer game

The White Eagle

They boys and I at Multnomah Falls

Grandma and Caulder at the Seaside Aquarium

Seaside

Kessler

Drawing in the sand

The sand castle

Grandma, Gandpa, and the boys at Seaside

The column at Astoria

All pooped out

We decided last minute to head out to Portland for 5 days over Easter weekend, and to catch a basketball play-off game. We managed to have a fun Easter and to see one of the best games of the play-offs so far. Although Portland won that one, they lost the series shortly after. Mat and I stayed in Portland for the game at one of the McMinneman's - The White Eagle. The weather was unusually warm, and we had a fun time away. We spent Easter at my parents house who hosted a big family dinner. Somehow Easter turned into Christmas, and the boys got lots of fun gifts. We really appreciated the thoughtfulness, and were lucky to have additional books and toys to entertain the boys with on the drive back to Boise. We also made ot out to the coast, and stayed at Seaside for a night with Grandpa and Grandma. It has been almost a year since we last visited the coast. The weather cooperated part of the time, and we had time to make one big sand castle.

I also have to mention that after three years of hard work, Mat finished his research, took both a written and oral exam, and completed his maters degree. We are so excited and proud of him!

What I want to be when I grow up

 Last weekend for night skiing

 We're ready for some patients

 

 Giving a shot to the unfortionate puppy

 Heart rate seems good

 Preparing for surgery on the baby

Bridger concerned that it's her turn next

In addition to lots of skiing this year, Caulder and Kessler have been working on our careers. Kessler is training to be a veterinarian like his aunt Denice, and Caulder a people doctor. I think they really just like giving shots.

Trip to Utah

We made a quick trip over Presidents Day weekend down to Salt Lake City, UT to visit our good friends Kevin and Ruth. When we arrived on Friday evening the ground was bare. When we left on Monday morning there was 24" of snow on the ground. It snowed. Sunday we skied at Snowbasin in 24" of new powder. A pretty awesome day by most accounts.  We also checked out the Ancient History Museum and Ikea. It was a great time with great friends and great conversation.

Last weekend Grandpa Dick and Grandma Deedee made a short visit to Boise. The boys had a blast with their Grandparents who took them to all their favorite hot spots. We also checked out the World Center for Birds of Prey and a couple local restaurants.

In between visiting friends and relatives, our household has been in and out of winter illness since Christmas. We've battled colds, fevers, the flue, ear infections (the first ones for the boys), and pink eye. Just when we think we're through the worst, something else crops up. Mat and the boys have had it the worst. I escaped with a minor cold that didn't even last a week. Thanks preschool!

Winter Activities

Kessler skiing (Caulder was sleeping in the lodge)

Horses we met on our drive to the hike

Hiking in the desert

Fossils, bones, and shells

Kessler hiding

Climbing up a mountain

Our lovely sweaters

January went by in a flash. We decided to let the boys try out skiing this year. The ski season looked very promising early on. Bogus Basin opened for Thanksgiving, and we got lots of snow in December. But, since Christmas, we have had very little snow. The boys have enjoyed learning to ski despite the lack of snow, or at least good snow. We decided to put off lessons until next year, so Mat and I have taken the boys up by ourselves. We quickly found that it is tough work keeping up with two three-year-olds.

We also just completed our second round of swim lessons this year, and both boys get to move up a level. We are also starting up gymnastics again. The boy's first class was on Monday, and it's really fun to watch them. Until this session, Mat and I participated with the boys in class, but now that they are three we can watch from the sideline.

A couple of weeks ago, we took advantage of the recent nice weather, and went on a hike to look for fossils. We found a few aquatic fossils, since the area we were hiking in used to be the bottom of the ocean, and many shells. The drive was a little harrowing on back roads, but the hike was through some very interesting terrain.

Finally, we headed over to a Superbowl party where the theme was "ugly sweaters". I'm sure you can tell which photo represents this day.