South Mountain Hiking

While in the valley, we wanted something to do outside to enjoy the warm weather.  I mentioned the idea of hiking and everyone was on board.  Garrett & Veronica suggested hiking South Mountain.  Preston's parents went with us but they hiked a different trail.  We chose Telegraph Pass Trail, about 1.5 mile hike.  The younger ones needed a little help on this one on the way up but everyone was RUNNING down the mountain.  

 Zack & Drew needed a bit of help toward the last half mile.

 It was warm but pretty windy so it was just right as we hiked.

 The younger two were tired of climbing but the rest of us wanted to continue on.  We decided we better head down so we could go watch a movie before heading home.

 It was a nice little hike.

 Zack had to stop and pee so of course Drew did too.  Luckily, only a guy passed and he just laughed.

Aydon insisted that I take pictures of these. 

As we drove home through a snow storm, I was glad we only hiked what we did.  We went to watch the Lego movie but we were a week early and watched a Dinosaur movie.  We ended up at the theatre at the exact starting time and safely made it home that night as we saw many cars slipping and sliding all over the road.

Gilbert Temple Open House

 Preston's brother had lived just blocks from the new Temple they were building in Gilbert.  Each time we went down to visit we loved seeing the progress.  

The motel we stay at also gave us a great view everytime we used the elevator.  When it was lit up at night it was centered in the large windows by the elevator.

This was the first time we saw it lit up at night and it was breath taking!

The kids could hardly wait to get to see inside the Temple.  Before going on a tour, we watched a special news show that gave information about the design and the things that happen in the Temple.  We explained how sacred they are and expressed our love of the Temple.  While in the room after watching the introductory video before the actual tour, a guide bore his testimony and the Spirit was so strong.  Preston's parents were with us so we each took a hand of one of the boys and got to whisper things to them along the way.  We all loved the beauty & Spirit we felt there.  We enjoyed seeing the use of the agave plant as the motif throughout the whole Temple from stained glass to the floors to the door handles.  I asked the boys what each of their favorite things about the Temple were.  Aydon loved the Celestial room & chandiliers.  Ty loved the mirrors and how they appeared to go on forever.  Zack's favorite thing was "everything!"  Drew's favorite thing was the doors.  ???  That boy!  Maybe he meant stained glass?  :)

After the tour we of course wanted to do our norm...a picture in front of the water feature & flowers.  

Such a bummer that our tour was in the evening so by the time we got done & ran to get our camera there wasn't enough light to get the pictures we were hoping to get.

I was taking a test shot in front of the flowers.  

So grateful for our eternal family & temples.  

The clouds in the sky were beautiful that night.  Such an amazing place!

Sunset Pass Hike

The boys had the day off from school & Preston was home!!!  We packed a picnic and went for our first official hike (official because everyone is old enough to do walk all on their own now and no one needs carried!).

 It was a nice little 1.5 hour hike up and 30 minutes down.  

 Lots of cactus to watch for.  The boys enjoyed looking for signs of animals.

 We all enjoyed the GORGEOUS day and the views.

 This was the highest point we went and we looked to see if we could see the Tahoe...and we could.

This is a zoomed in version...hidden behind the tree.  The boys were excited to see how high we made it.

Ty was so excited when he could see our Tahoe!

Looking out between Sunset Pass.

The boys made it, even enjoyed it.  :)  They did start to complain a bit and I told them, "better get used to it because I want us all to hike the Grand Canyon one day!"  

Ice Skating

We had told Aydon that he could pick something to do for his birthday since we didn't throw him a party.  He chose Ice Skating and we told them we'd take them during Winter Break.  Well, with all the family visits it didn't work out so we decided to take them out of school early on a Thursday afternoon.  I loved it, we practically had the place to ourselves.  

Drew got out on the ice and after 2.5 seconds was screaming and crying like I've never seen him do in his life.  He sat on the bleachers for the first 45 minutes all by himself while we were helping the other boys.  We kept checking on him and asking him to join us but he refused and begged for his skates to be taken off.  

 Zack Attack who acted the same way Drew did last time we took the boys was out having a blast.  

Finally, Preston bribed Drew into trying it again.  When I caught up to them he was all smiles and acting like his normal self.  

 Zack's hair was glued to his head since he was sweating so much from skating and wearing a helmet.  He kept asking me if we could go eat RIGHT after this because he was starving.  

Ty did well but was very cautious and stayed close to the wall the majority of the time.  He did good when I would hold his hand and take him around.

 Aydon biffed it more than anyone else but had a blast.

 Back to "normal" Drew.  

It cracked me up the next morning.  Drew woke up and first thing he told me was, "Mom, when I do this (and he walked) my legs hurt."  haha  Aydon's still complaining of a sore ankle...the one that he broke over a year ago.  I don't know if he'll ever get over that.  It's always bothering him.  

We had a blast & fed the boys immediately like they requested.  A very fun afternoon.