A Hot Date. A Long Hot Date

This is a picture story for your viewing pleasure.

Dad and I went on a date to The Ney Nature Center.

(And by date I mean walk.)

We saw lots of awesome spring flowers. I didn't even take pictures of them all. There were too many. These three different white ones were all in one clump
Spring is so lovely!

We also saw an eagle hanging out by its' nest. So majestic and beautiful! I almost didn't get him in the picture frame because it was so windy high up in the tree.

Here's the nest. I zoomed
 a ton to get this.

Some funky looking plant. We were just loving the green.

It is super flooded at the nature center this year.

The water was so high! We couldn't even 

make it out to the walkway in the pond.

We would have needed some good puddle jumpers.

Believe it or not, this is looking down the path.

The view from the bridge.

The Dad

The Dad and The Mom taking a selfie.

I thought this rock looked much like I imagine Ollock to look, from Fablehaven. Only smaller. Can you see it? 

Also, I probably spelled that wrong. Sorry.

We followed a different path than normal. It said easiest, and that seemed smart with my hurt back.

So we kept walking.

Deer tracks!

There were tons!

We went along the river and walked through woodsy meadows.

And we kept walking for a long time.

And then we came out of the woods to this.

Surprise!

And then we saw these.

They were very friendly. I think? 

(They were in electric fence.)

They came ambling over to greet us

 and even posed for photos.

Aren't they gorgeous?

I think that lighter brown, spotted one above has a sassy attitude.

It would probably get along with a llama.

Fabulous!

   

   

I think this guy is my favorite.

Look at those horns!

  After meeting and greeting, we went on with our walk. 

And came out to this.

  

We had been misled. 

Definitely not the easiest path.. 

Widest, maybe?

It was looooong. And this is the road.

Far from the nature center.

And we felt like 

this.  

And all we could do was keep walking.

At least the scenery was pretty.

We met this guy.

And his wife.

I don't think they were too pleased to meet us.

He squawked at us and she ducked and hurried away.

So we kept walking.

(Our feet were tired.)

And suddenly (after what seemed like hours) we were 

back at the eagle's nest.

 

He was not happy to see us either and scolded us loudly.

And finally we were back at the nature center. Hurrah!!!

And the moral of this story is: 

Get out in nature. 

Move your bodies. 

Spend time with people you love.

 Feel peace.

And always check the map for your path

The End

When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.” ~Wendell Berry

Love you

Beautiful Spring Morning!

Oh, also, my Nasturtiums are growing awesomely. :)

Babies

We've been living in North Salt Lake for about five months now.  We're starting to feel a little more established, and it is wonderful.  Henry has become a little sumo baby.  Seriously.  He is a big fatso, and I love it.  I can't get over it, and it makes me really happy.  That may be a silly thing to be excited about, but since Gabe was tiny and sick the first month of his life, it's really awesome to have a healthy baby, and not have to worry about that kind of stuff.  The first picture is Gabe when he is about two months old.  The second picture is Henry right now (5 weeks, 3 days).  No, the squares on the blanket did not get smaller.  Henry is just that much bigger.  Count the squares down and across.  Gabe's foot would be about the same place that Henry's leg starts.

We've started calling Henry "Rolly" after the puppy in 101 Dalmations.

Anyway, it's awesome, and we love Henry.  Gabe can say his name, and he is very proud and protective of his new baby.  When we were in the hospital, and Henry was taken out of my room to get his hearing tested, Gabe was real mad at the lady for trying to steal our baby.  Oh man, the wrath of a two-year-old.  Haha.  It's tough love around here.  Gabe loves him so much, he sits on him, pokes him in the eye, and tries to force toys in his mouth and hands.  Gabe has gotten really fun to play with lately too.  We went to the park yesterday, and he was so excited.  There were a ton of other kids there, and the giggling echoing through the slides was contagious.  It was really cute.  Gabe loved the swing, and wanted to go higher.  He's really good at tricky ladders, and likes to show off. :) Here are a few pictures from our outing: 

This is a close-up of the swing.  It made me really happy! :)

This was right as he was coming down the slide.  My camera was just slightly too late, so it's a little silly, but you can still tell how happy he was.

Weather has been really nice here.  It's been in the 50s and 60s the last few days.  It's something that I'm told is unusual for Utah, but I'm not complaining.  

And... here are some more pictures of Henry and Gabe.  Enjoy. :)

I hope everybody is doing well!  It would be awesome to get the blog going again.

Love,

Emma, Evan, Gabe and Henry :)