Death Valley

We'd heard through the grapevine that something amazing was happening down in Death Valley so we decided to make a quick trip.  We drove down Friday night and stayed at Taylor's grandpa's house.  It's an hour later in Vegas so our kids went to bed late and I was hoping they'd get up an hour late too.  No luck.  Taylor and I slept in because it was so quiet but it turns out this is what they were all up to.  Sneaky buggers.

As soon as grams and grandpa made it in, we headed out.  A nice drive and then suddenly, even though we were in the desert, it was spring.

Ok so it's still the dessert but in death valley this is pretty impressive.  Out of the bare rocks and dirt beautiful, tall flowers of every color were just popping up.

The valley was in bloom.  Yellow everywhere.

We spent the morning stopping on the side of the road every few feet because there were just more and more flowers to see.

And such beautiful variety.

Amazing to see the beauty amidst such a hard environment.

After a lot of flowers we ventured out to the sand dunes which was much more interesting to the boys.

And the lack of sleep finally caught up to Isla but I didn't mind the cuddle time.

To end the day we went up to Dante's Peak to overlook the whole valley and watch the sun set.

And climb rocks of course cause we can't resist that.

Best seats in town to watch the sunset.

And to collect rocks.

And even though it was gorgeous it didn't parallel the Salt Lake valley sunsets.

Of course after a full day of picture taking and exploring and climbing and fun, we were all starving.  Unfortunately, there was nothing and nowhere to stop for more than an hour and then even then it was just a little diner close to Area 51 and next to ahem.. a brothel.  Luckily my kids had no idea what was going on and they were much more interested in the alien paraphenalia.

Especially the purple girl alien.

Random February

Every Valentine's day I try to make Taylor a homemade card with family pictures.  Pinterest is a great idea shop for me and that's where I got the raining hearts idea.  

But don't fool yourself.  I spent HOURS cutting hearts, taping them to floss, tieing them onto umbrellas, then trying to unwind them as they got tangled and tangled and tangled.  

But in the end I think it was worth it.

Rain of Shine, Taylor will always be my Valentine.

Another highlight of the month is writing little cards to anyone and everyone.

The kids spend hours writing short notes, adding stickers, stamps, and envelopes, and then delivering them to their "mailboxes".  My favorite is finding them on my pillow late at night.  Can't ask for more than a love note from a little one.

More snowshoeing pics.  The ice on these branches was just brilliant in the early morning sun.

And don't fool yourself by thinking this trail is anywhere near the ground.  We're up at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon and the snowpack on this day was at 8 feet.  That's walking on top of 8 feet of packed down snow.  And anywhere you step that's not packed down, it's the most glorious, fluffy, sink in fun ever.

Of course my boys are oblivious to the fact that it's cold outside.  They love sleeping without shirts and I admit I find it hilarious to walk in on them playing the wii.  Lots of teeny muscles, not enough fat.

No matter what's wrong in your world, sitting with dad fixes everything.

Superbowl at Sam and Mack's was fun but a little packed and a little long, so it was nice to cuddle with this little bug.

School Valentines boxes.  Ethan wanted a football field for the Super Bowl winners.

Miles wanted a Nintendo DS.

Isaac wanted the Ute basketball arena, and he specifically wanted everyone to throw their valentines in through the hoop.

Not too hard this year.

More snowshoeing.

This time up to donut falls, which in the winter doesn't look like much but in the summer this place is a bouldering/rock climbing crazy mess of people.  But in winter it was a little steep but you just kind of walked up the snow- and slid down on your bum.

And the prize waiting at the top but the donut falls cave.

Quite amazing.

Ahh... boxtops.  The bane of my existence.  I volunteer on my boy's school PTA and part of my job is to collect and count the boxtops.  Unfortunately since I didn't end up with any help on the other jobs I had, this one kind of got ignored and pushed to the back burner until I absolutely had to count them and get them sent in in time for the deadline.  So one LONG Saturday, the whole family pitched in (even Taylor who made this nifty sorting tape table) and counted them all.  11,546 later we were finally done.  All bagged up in fifties.  UGH!

Neighbors date to see Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  It was Faith Wallis' birthday and this is what she wanted to do.  It was actually hilarious and super fun to do with everyone.

Sneak attack from the little princess.

Someone stole my phone.  Oh well, at least she's quiet and entertained during sacrament meeting.

Reading comics with dad and grandpa.  I love that they're all 3 laughing together.

A  few later we went back to Donut Falls for our hike.  It was even more spectacular the second time.

The ice crystals and icicles hanging and dripping water were breathtaking.  I need a better camera to do them justice.

And of course we ignored this sign and went on up.

Ahh!  Warm sun and snuggly brother.  Best things in the world.