escalante - day one

Every May for the past several years I get this yearning to head south to where the red rock and blue skies are. I love adventuring with our family and I love the solid time together. The kids were doing well in school so we didn't feel too bad having them miss a couple of days. We were all in need of some time away!

This year we decided to explore a new place we'd never been to before. We fell in love with Escalante pretty quickly. One of the best parts was that it was not NEARLY as busy as Moab is these days. 

We left after school and work on Wednesday. We didn't pull into town until pretty late, but everyone was awesome at unpacking quickly so that we could get to bed. The next morning was beautiful and we couldn't wait to get to our adventuring, but breakfast first. Eating breakfast in nature is the best!

Day one we made our way to peek-a-boo and spooky slot canyons (after the long 20+ mile bumpy dirt road ride). What an adventure! At one point Justin felt he couldn't fit through the 12 inch wide areas so he ended up turning around and met us at the entrance. I had a moment there where I thought I was insane for taking these five children by myself through the rest of the canyon. Lucky for me the older boys were amazing at helping us all get through safely and in the end I totally don't regret going through. It was so cool...except for the couple of snakes we encountered. :) 

:: my favorite part was watching everyone pitch in and help each other through the difficult parts ::

:: we did it!! ::

Dry Fork Canyon was nearby so we went a little ways in to check that out. The boys found a lizard that made it's way to Taylor's shoe, so naturally they fell in love with the little guy. We would have kept going farther, however Corbin and Levi encountered a rattle snake so we ended that hike quickly. :)

The kids favorite part of the day was devils garden. They loved running free, jumping off rocks, exploring. It's natures most perfect playground.

After a long day of adventuring, we were happy to come 'home' for a campfire, tin-foil dinners, and some cuddling in the tent while we read and play games. 

mother's day 2019

 

These pictures very much describe what it is like to be a mother to our children. It's chaotic, busy, crazy...but so fun and there's definitely a lot of laughter. (Rudger really wanted a picture where he was popping out. I love that boy!) It's all I ever wanted and although it brings a lot of exhausting days and tears, it is THE very most rewarding job there ever was. And I couldn't be happier. 

In primary, the song leader gave each of the kids a package of m&ms with some things to talk about with their moms. The kids were SO excited about it. Adeline couldn't wait to come home and eat them!

I was excited to warm up the grill for the season and have a charcuterie board as well as raspberry lemonade! The lilacs are perfect right now, so they were a must for the table. 

We loved having Justin's parents join us for dinner. Justin's mom is so sweet and always amazing at being so helpful when she is in our home!

I love my mom, Justin's mom, the other mom's in my life that are a huge influence in my life. I love the kids who made me a mother and the man who is by my side on this motherhood journey!

 (I just love this picture ♥♥)