FHE

We did a fun activity tonight about using kind words.  I had each girl (and Jon!) create a picture on their paper plate with shaving cream.  Then after they were done, they were to put the shaving cream back into the canisters.  Which simply isn't possible.  The parallel is that our words cannot actually be taken back.  Their effects remain even after we say 'sorry' or 'just kidding' or 'I take it back', and that's important to remember when we speak to those we come into contact with.

Jon was a super achiever and made Lehi's dream with his shaving cream.

Elephant Rock

Tara and Dustin invited us to go out and go on a 'walk' with them this evening.  So we geared up, and went for it!  Not knowing it was actually a hike of 7 miles!!  The trail is up in Bountiful north of the temple, and it, too, was beautiful.

I super need some new boots!  I can't decide if I should go for new snow boots, or just really good waterproof hiking boots, but the cheap-o Walmart ones I've used for years are not cutting it for more than just a little sledding adventure at the local hill!

Mount Wire Snow Escapades

We set out today to take on the snowy wilderness!  We rented snowshoes and headed up the Mount Wire trail.

When we started out, the weather was sunny and not too cold.  As we started up the trail, it got cloudy and dreary real quick.

We trudged for quite some time

The biggest problem was the WIND with icy snow bits blasting us in the face.  We had originally seen the storm rolling over the valley towards us and foolishly thought it would be pretty cool to be on the mountain in a storm.  Um, no.  As soon as that wind started up, we were done.  Biting cold, the wind was chapping my cheeks, so I ended up rubbing my chapstick all over my cheekbones to protect them.

We debated at the tree for a while, then decided to head back down, not confident in our preparedness and gear should the storm get worse on the mountain.

It quickly blew over...we probably could have continued up the mountain, but we didn't know.  It ended up being an absolutely beautiful view to the valley with the clouds and the dim.

We traipsed kind of the long way down in our snow shoes, admiring the view.

The light breaking through the clouds was phenomenal.

The snowshoes were pretty awkward, and I took my share of spills, but I was glad to try them.  This was the first time, and I think under certain circumstances they would be invaluable.  We didn't really need them for this hike, but I'm glad we didn't know that and got them anyway!

Jon managed to snap this one of the times I took a spill.  You lose all gracefulness just trying to stay upright!

We will have to try this hike again either with better preparedness, or wait until the snow is gone!

Jon uses these enormous flasks at work, and then after they are used only once, they have to be gotten rid of.  They can't be used again.  So he had the great idea to keep them and grow things in them.  He planted his first flask tonight, with what it needed, and a little clump of moss. 

We will see how well it works out!  Mac is pretty excited about the whole thing. 

Tonight was a cuddle pile on the couch, while Jon showed us pictures from his childhood, and pictures of him in Giant Sequoia by the ridiculously large trees.  The girls love to just hang out with him. 

Mimi especially has been getting really cuddly and sweet.  We love Jon! 

It is a Thomas day, and the girls have off school for Presidents' Day, so it's a full day of play!

Because the weather has been crazy warm, we headed to the park with Master Thomas.  He loved to play there with the girls.  Slides especially!

They are so helpful with him, it's wonderful.

The girls found a fun tree to climb and play in.  They are kind of getting too old for the park toys, so I was glad to see them create their own play and be climbing a tree!

The girls had their final birthday celebration today at Grandmere's house.  We were all pleased to have Grandmere's cheesecake pies!  They got to blow out the candles (but not eat the whole things!) of their own individual pies.

Happy Birthday, Mac!!

It's Macko's birthday!  And this morning, Mimi's tooth FINALLY fell out!  Special breakfast indeed!  It was a pretty sorry little straggler, and I'm frankly glad to see it gone.

After Jon left work, he came over for the party, and arranged Mac's flowers. 

Mac got to have a balloon crown, which she was pretty excited about. 

There was, of course, a giant pile of presents.

She opted to remove her crown while she unwrapped her spoils. 

  

We also had a big balance beam for her, but Amazon didn't get it to us on time.  There were plenty other things to catch her eye!

Then Jon brought out his gift to her

A jungle scene with the tiny little plastic animals and done up with jelly beans, just like Mimi's ocean scene. 

 

Last but not least, cake time!  Mac had requested chocolate cake, and I was happy to oblige!

 

There was also some birthday time on Jonathan perch, and Mimi got to hang out on the refrigerator at the end of the evening. 

It was a lovely birthday celebration with family and now Mac is 9!!

Donut Falls

We took the girls up to the canyons for a little hike to Donut Falls.  The day was absolutely gorgeous.

There was much exploring to be done, with streams and rivers as the snow begins to think about melting 

We finally made our way up to the cave where the water is falling through the donut, and it was kind of creepy to climb in!  The girls all hesitated, and I encouraged them, then when I got there, realized I needed encouragement, too!

There was just a slick little ledge going in to the dark wet cave!

It was absolutely gorgeous, though.  There were the lightest little flurries and overcast skies.  I figured I would document myself before I took the plunge!

When I finally got down inside (by scooting on my bum!), it was incredible.  The water fall goes right through the cave, and crawling into it is really only possible and safe when it's winter!

We crawled back to the back of the cave and set the phone up so it would take a family picture.  We had to wade through several inches of water, and as we stood there behind the falls, they sprayed us the whole time.

We were able to convince Leiden to take a picture of us...and prayed the whole time she wouldn't drop the phone!

We had to climb along a little ledge to stay out of water, and it was precarious.

Coming back down was fun, too.  We had a couple hiking poles, but they weren't super useful on the packed in snow.

Then the best part, I fell and went down a stretch on my backside!  My boots are terrible, and I mean terrible.  They have no traction and they hurt my arches.  This was really just the most obvious of my falls!

This was SUCH a fun family activity today.  The girls were a little whiny at the beginning, but we were able to keep their attention and keep them moving.  I love all of them!