Getting outside again

A few weeks back we spent the weekend at Palisades, car camping style. With kids you take what you can get and Dani and Jason have those twins that are a real hand full. We broke tradition and actually arrived at the campsite early enough that we didn't have to pitch our tents in the dark. When we woke up the next morning, the tents and nearly everything else was covered in frost (it got into the mid to low 20's that night). Of course Jack didn't mind...



The twins were very cold and unhappy for a long time but they eventually warmed up. One of the twins was fighting a cold, the other was happy as a clam (think perma-grin).



Look, a bird, a plane no it is...




My balloon is flying away!



Once it warmed up it was off to the sand box to look for buried treasure.





Clayton had a blast just being with his cousins.

We tried bubbles but the only one interested was Camus.



Clayton managed to overcome his fear of slides while with Jack, Emma and Elli. It was awesome seeing the little guy work up the courage to go down the slide. Clayton is one cautious little dude.



Of course the twins aren't afraid of any slide anywhere. No fear for those girls



The kids played so hard that they completely wore themselves out. The boys (Me and Jason) took the kids for a ride to see if they would fall asleep. Clayton slept but the girls managed to tough it out (they are stubborn Grotepas girls). We had a bit of an adventure while driving to get the kids asleep. Jason decided to see how far his Sequoia could go after the digital read out said No Gas, 0 miles. I was positive that we would be pushing the Sequoia the last mile to the gas station.



It was so nice to get out and camp. We are definitely going to do this again soon!

Spring is coming!

The snow is melting and it is warming up outside. We have had temperatures in the 50 degree range. I know it sounds a bit chilly but it is oh so nice. I was able to go out and play with Clayton the other day. We have been cooped up in our town home a bit due to everyone being sick. Nothing like the freedom of the beginnings of spring!

Here was a magic moment. I laid down to get that better angle and Clayton decided to do the same. It was picture perfect!



I know, it is spring but there is this wall next to Clayton in most of the photos (I like the wall for the depth it adds). Clayton found that he could play in the dirt as it was dry in this spot (south facing wall). We gotta get the kid a sandbox!

Loving the big open spaces

My new thing is taking photos outside in the big open spaces. You know like what you experience in Sanpete. The only tall objects are the nearby trees and the majestic, snow capped mountains. It is almost sad that winter is nearly upon us. The days get so short and play time outside becomes a luxury that is difficult to afford. The only one who loves to be outside more than I do is Clayton. He asks to go outside even when it is pitch black.

Here Grandpa is teaching Clayton to navigate the high seas!





Clayton loves to play outside, especially with his Grandpa and cousin Jordan!





Clayton is getting braver. He used to be afraid of the four wheelers. For a little boy who loves cars and anything with wheels, you would think he would jump at the chance to sit in an ATV. He is a cautious little boy, unlike his dare devil cousin Jordan.



Brody was stuck inside the house. That's OK, he got tons of loves from his Grandma!





What a handsome little boy!