Snowy Spring Break

Remember those photos I just put up of our Helen Hunt Falls hike? How lovely it was outside while we played in the water with short sleeves? Well, the next day was this:


So much snow.


But I bet my parents secretly miss the snow, so the manic weather was actually a gift. Right, mom and dad? Well, I DO know that my dad had fun making snowballs and trying to knock down our freshly built snowman.


Guard, him boys! Guard that snowman with your lives!


Even better, Wren enjoyed a few minutes outside and when she stopped enjoying the outside, she could hang out inside with Grandma! It was perfect!


Thanks, dude!


And that day, my mom started getting sick. And then the whole rest of the family got sick. And we had no more adventures and stayed home and wallowed in our misery. So, obviously, super fun trip for my parents! Thanks for coming!

Helen Hunt Falls

My parents came to visit! They flew in a few days before Spring Break began, right at the height of Liam and Dash being sick (they missed the three days leading up to Break). They were finally feeling okay-ish a couple days later and we decided to visit Seven Falls. We drove over that way, assuming it was a public place to explore. Apparently it used to be that way but now everyone must pay a not-low admittance fee. Well, maybe we could visit the nature center nearby while we figure out an alternative. Whoops, that didn't open for another week. Fine, let's play by the little river instead!

Miss Wrenny being a little hesitant.


Dash not being hesitant at all.


None of the boys were.


So Wren did a little Follow the Grandma.


Found a troll!


She figured out a good way to escape photos!


Ha, gotcha!


Luckily, some employees were sprucing the nature center up in preparation to open and were more than happy to give us some guidance. They gave my map loving family a few pamphlets and showed us how Helen Hunt Falls was a tiny drive up the road. Onward!


Parked, followed the little trail, and...


Found it! Well, I'm pretty sure that's Helen Hunt Falls, though we kept hiking and found some more falls along the way.


Dash, still not 100% better, taking a breather.


We let them climb a little, but not too much, because we had more hiking to do and couldn't risk a bath!


Up those stairs!


.... up more stairs...


snack break.


...up moooore stairs...


Sap! I tasted it, revolting.


Made it to the lookout! And all I see is my Sweetie.


Ta da! It was stupid hard to get every kid in the photo without someone throwing a fit.


My parents and their favorite child ;)


Lovebirds.


A second later, Wren was all, "get that hand off me, yo!" Sigh, one day she won't be so grumpy about her brothers.


Twinsies.


Sometimes going down is harder than going up!


Phewf, that took it out of them.


I turn around for a second and when I look back, there's been a kid swap!


Okay, now you can go ford the river, get soaked to your hearts' content.


Grey was being pretty brave and had the wet shoes, socks, and pants to prove it.


A final stand before a sleepy drive home.


And Grey took this of me in the car. I like it!

10 Years of Love!

Ten years is a long time! How can it be ten years already? It's flown by in a jumble of love and kids and craziness and choas and joy. I love him, he loves me, and we really love Us.

Rachel and the gang

Rachel and kids recently stayed in Colorado for six weeks while Tim rotated (was stationed? I don't know the correct military/medical school terminology) away from home. It was so fun to see her and have the cousins all play together when we'd get together. Of course, I never brought my camera with me- why would I do that?! BUT I did finally bring it when Great Grandma and Grandpa Bradley came for a little visit.


All my boys, but especially the twins, wanted to be around baby Henry. As in, it was the first thing they asked when they'd walk in the door, "can I hold baby Henry?"


So Henry plus doting grandparents? Heaven.


They lived to make him smile.


Ellie was a blur of energy and my kids loved following her around and having her follow them around. Ellie and Wren's hair are almost exactly alike, I did sooooo many double-takes.


Grandparent bonding, melts my heart!