Good Eats and Gourds (2)

Now for some pix of the farm, including the kids' first time "playing" badminton!

Craig's happy place is with the hens.

Dillon's world champ look (belt courtesy of Frank).

Action shot!

Pre-game stretches.

Weight lifting.

Sissies!

Wrestler bay hale podium.

Capitol Reef Road Trip (7)

To wrap up our grand adventure...

...did we mention our car broke down on our way to Capitol Reef? And that we got the last rental car in town? And that it was the beginning of about 500 times moving the car seats from one vehicle to another. Yup, that totally happened.

Very cramped in the back of the tow truck.

Pretending to drive at the auto shop.

We stopped in Las Vegas again--Henderson actually. It was--no surprise--really hot!

A fierce ping pong competition.

Chess for one.

Trying to take a picture with zero participant cooperation.

Palm trees a'plenty on the property.

And finally, let us acknowledge how you cannot pass through the California desert without thinking of U2...well played, Bono. Well. Played.

Black and white.

Color.

Capitol Reef Road Trip (6)

Let it not be said we didn't return to civilization once in a while...

...for ice cream.

Putting Quinn in white was a mistake.

We also hiked to Hickman Bridge. Still hot but the girls did much better.

More beautiful views.

I love photographing bare trees.

Interesting vantage.

Hickman Bridge...we made it!

Dillon was here.

We found a mini bridge.

Still smiling!

Capitol Reef Road Trip (5)

More, more, more from our road trip. In the mornings we arrived at Griffin House promptly at 8 a.m. to make sure we got the few bags of fresh plums that were fresh from the orchard.

Pretty good backdrop for a flag.

We saw lots of deer too.

Plum bliss.

We also spent an afternoon hiking the Great Wash. It was beautiful but so hot. The kids wilted pretty quickly.

This is how dry it was.

Expansive views.

Hugging a tiny bit of shade.

One of many breaks.

Sky for miles.

Adventures in Learning: the Golden Circle

We're in big transition mode over here! Quinn is leaving her current preschool to join one located on campus with Dillon. We're going to bask in the glory of one location for pick up/drop off for the next five years! In the meantime, some more pix of daycare fun with Quinn's besties.

Sweet times with Lulu.

Sometimes is just easier to eat without clothes.

What does the cat say?

Hugs for Reecey.

Meanwhile, Dillon finished up her year of kindergarten.

Choir performance...she spied me in the audience.

She got a real half-marathon medal for running 13 miles this year.

Last day with pals Claire and Ava Leigh.

Ballet Basics (1)

Last spring Dillon had her first ballet recital. We don't really observe class so it was a great chance to see if all that tuition has been worth it. I have to say I was impressed! She was able to follow along really well and her arm placement was pretty alright too. Stage momdom--here I come!

Pre-show pic with BFF Clara (and her sis, Charlotte).

And of course a pic with teacher Miss Gabby.

Passes at the bar (she's in the middle).

Standing in first position.

Showing off her cute skirt.

Climber's Loop

Dillon is turning into a great little hiker. After she summited Cowles, I decided to take her to Climber's Loop--a short hike, with a steep beginning. She did a great job and got several handfuls of M&Ms along the way...

Admiring the view.

Fun rock scrambles.

After that, we hiked down to the river...

...which was roaring due to some recent rains.

Hiking selfie!

Adventures in Learning: Electric Boogaloo

Another random sampling of our girls edumacating themselves.

Snack time is the best time!

Running wild with BFF Reece.

Playing puzzles.

GOOOOOOOAAALLL!

I don't have any recent ones of Dillon, but here are some outtakes from the fall.

With pal Luna.

Watching the stinky cows with Avaleigh and Luna.