memorial day flag rock hike

I love when Pinterest has things like - 10 of the best hikes for families in Utah, or 15 must see hikes with your kids, or hikes to do before you die...I am a sucker for those kinds of pins. The one that stood out the most for me was Flag Rock in Farmington. The hike represents the height of the twin towers. As Memorial Day was approaching I knew that was the right place to go. The information about the hike made it seem like we could be done in about 2-3 hours, plus there was a cool mine along the way.

The hike lasted 5+ hours. Mostly due to not knowing exactly where we were going. It was really hard, the kids were incredibly tired, and it was exhausting and steep in some areas. Justin is really good at hiking with kids. Not only does he carry half of them, but when they start complaining, he comes up with ways to distract them and lift the mood. Today he came up with a winner. We had to find a cool rock, pick it up, and keep walking and as soon as you see an even cooler rock, set the one down, and pick up the new rock. By the time we got to the top, we oohed and aahed over everyone's awesome rock. It worked like a charm!

The sight of seeing that flag was breathtaking. It made the whole trip worth it. I was left in amazement as I thought about this country and about those who give so much of themselves. They have provided a place for me to live such a happy life with some pretty awesome freedoms. I have been thinking about that a lot lately!! My life is simple and the rights that I have are amazing! There are times I know I take that forgranted and don't realize just how lucky we are to live here! My goal is to never forget that and teach our children to never forget.

This hike, as hard as it was, taught all of us some really good things. But most important, we can do hard things and there are amazing people who have done some of the hardest things of all so that we can be free. Pretty awesome!

I would say that 5+ hour hike was worth it. 
(however, the boys would probably disagree)

 :: I loved that Corbin suggested we put our hands on our hearts ::

(Taylor was just so thrilled we made it...and almost, Levi!)

remember easter 2013

Yes we had easter this year. It was one of the best. Unfortunately there aren't enough pictures to show the beauty of the season. 

A couple of months ago our cute neighbor girl was over, she was watching me make tacos and she told me she loves tacos. I told her we would have to get together with our families and make them. 

She did. not. forget.

The Friday before easter we finally had them over for taco night, we dyed almost 7 dozen eggs, then we played the candy bar game. Love this family to pieces. 

(*sidenote* Taylor brought tears to my eyes, when he willingly gave up his candybar to help make our little friend happy who was just so devastated with the candy bar he was left with.  Love that boy.)   

 Saturday morning was the neighborhood easter egg hunt. Good times.

 The rest of the weekend was wonderful. Again. someone forgot to take pictures.

After watching videos of our Savior all week, I feel like the boys understood more this year and grew to love our Savior even more. 

I feel so grateful to celebrate the beauty of this season with our children.

And just so you know, Rudger really was there all weekend. He loved easter too. 

our st. patrick's day

We had a very cute, unusual Leprechaun come to our house this year.

First of all, we had a very sick Taylor on Friday. The poor child told me he felt like throwing up in the morning, but I didn't believe him. (Tay likes school, but he also loves being home and he's tried that one on us before.) It was class picture day and his teacher really wanted everyone to be there, so I told Taylor can you please just go, I think you'll be fine. He ate a few bites and decided he would go. After the two boys left, Justin, Levi and I worked out in the yard all morning and when the bus pulled up at the end of the Kindergarten day and no Taylor got off, I panicked. I ran inside and there were two missed calls from the school about 15 minutes before. I called back. Taylor threw up in the classroom just before school ended. All over his desk. I felt horrible. However, he DID make the class pictures.

Second, with the weather being (if you don't count the last three days) incredible amazing. My two big boys...Justin and Corbin...decided to go on a backpacking overnighter just up the mountain by our house on Friday night. They had a blast. I can't help but be so excited for Justin. He has three boys that he gets to do these kinds of things with...and hopefully they'll include me every now and then. Corbin was so excited to get home and tell me his favorite parts.
Building a campfire.
Eating the ramen noodles they made over the campfire.
Hiking and crossing the bridge they saw in the picture on the Internet.
Having hot chocolate with dad in the morning.

Taylor didn't miss out too much. With me not having my husband to sleep next to, Taylor got to spend the night there. He was so excited to tell Justin and Corbin that good news. Levi, was too tired to care. Although there were some tears shed as Justin and Corbin drove off. (and they were not from me)

So, as I said, our Leprechaun visit was unusual. With Taylor being sick, Daddy and Corbin gone in the morning, our leprechaun decided not to make a mess of the house and play too many mean tricks. Instead, Justin pointed out to the boys that our Leprechaun cleaned the entire house and left the table sprinkled with rainbow love. (not to mention the pot of gold made by Taylor and his own face made by Levi )


The rest of the day was full of treats, making lucky charm graphs, NO yard work, playing, reading lephrecaun books, and then a special 'green treats' movie night. (as though we needed more treats).

Even though sickness fell on some of us the next day. It really was a very nice weekend. (we even got an extra day off from school on Monday to fully recover and relax).

And Corbin and I like to tell the others that we are so grateful for our green eyes...keeps us safe every year. Although the others don't think it counts!