Gearing up on Antelope Island

We headed out on our first hike of the season, yesterday. Antelope Island. (I had luckily picked up the free State Parks Pass at the library that was good through the weekend, and Antelope was the closest drive.) It quickly became evident how out-of-season we've gotten. First bad sign came when pulling up to the entrance post and reading a large warning that the gnats were out and biting. I knew that Antelope Island is infamous for having clouds of bugs across the causeway, but I hadn't thought much of them beyond that. I had completely forgot to bring any sort of spray. Ah well, we'll slather on the hand sanitizer and give a false spill about it guarding against bugs - that should work. Nope. Didn't! One step out of the car and faces and limbs were covered by itty-bitty bugs nipping. Instantly we buckled back into the car and backtracked to the Visitor's Center where a bottle of spray was purchased (Don't know what the traveler's cost of that. Matt got it, while Tyler and I peered through windows.)

The required stop at the Visitor's Center did come with the chance to walk by/pose by one of the many immobile bison on the island. (Hmmm. Paige on top. Tyler closely examining the nostril. Meg hesitant. Yep, that's our crowd!)

Once effectively covered in repellent and back in the car, we drove back to the trailhead. We passed several kinds of the "wildlife" the island boasts of. Pronghorn fawns (I kept pointed them out as deer. That was more familiar to my searching backseaters.), bison (No, those are not metal molds. They are alive and HUGE even when sleeping at a distance.), many birds, and a couple coyotes along a distant shore!

Finally ready to hike, we got set to go. It felt like a day to try out new hiking supplies. The girls had their fanny packs (Received at Christmas from my sister, Ann, and bro-in-law, Scott. It came loaded with binoculars, camera, compass, whistle, sunscreens, flashlight..aka more goods we've ever supplied them with!). Tyler had a new carrier (recently picked up from KSL.com). Matt had new shoes (purchased for a watery hike he's got planned with some guys next weekend.).

In fact, thinking back about it, "having to" break in these new things is probably the main reason I got my family out on a trail with me...

You could tell, from Tyler's "Get me outta here!" reach, that it was beyond naptime. We pulled him out and let him walk a bit. I found myself guiding both the dog and boy along on each end of the leash - but both were happy to be out!

It was cold and windy. The whining started early. Matt's on-call phone rang a short ways in. Rain began plopping a few drops. One kid fell. One kid peed. Another kid fell. Matt signaled a turn-around... Really? We can still see the car, and that much complaining?!?

As Matt put it, "I was done! Crying kids. Rain. Bugs! You...""
"What! Me? I was positive and upbeat..."
"Having to wait for you to take pictures of every flower."
Oh yeah, that:

Ah, well. I'll consider it a bad introduction to the hiking season (Seems to always be one (or several) of those.). A reminder of how slowly little feet move, how starting at the trailhead is always later than anticipated, how bug spray needs to always be included...

It (Lakeside Trail) really was a good, flat, well-marked, family-friendly spot. Take out the nasty bugs and insert a better-rested family and it'd be much better. I doubt we'll make it back. Too many other places planned (!!). But, we'll see...

Ending note: Matt got the kids to get in the car with the bribe of food at Wendy's. We drove by the beach. Offered to either walk out and dip our toes in the water or go to Wendy's. "Wendy's!" was Paige's excited vote. Yep. She stayed positive. More positive about that than her response to my "Will you guys be happier when we go hiking again?": "What? Another hike?"

...On the way to said Wendy's she managed to continue to make good use of her packed fanny pack. "I wanted to put on some sun lotion!" Really! On such a cloudy day? After the hiking is done? Yep. Leave such a happy, messy conclusion to her.

Kinder Program

We spent some time up at Meg's school on Friday. Not only was it the eat-school-lunch-in-the-cafeteria day (we will be packing better tasting lunches next year), but it was the long-awaited singing program. Paige, my Dad, and I sat among the audience. Many props were pulled out from the carefully painted bags. Instruments were used during some of the songs (Meg got to strum along on a ukulele). And, a slideshow of student-painted trees was shown. It was obvious that the kids were proud of their displayed work! Meg did a good job. It was fun to see her doing what she's talked so much about.

Included below is a long line of videoclips. Included for those family members that are interested, but didn't make it. Of course it is zoomed in my child. Some smiles and some focused performing were caught on tape...

I did step back and try to capture the whole. Clicking on the picture should enlarge it. Cute group that Meg often handwrites onto lists of "bestfriends." I am grateful this year has been positive for her. Can't believe this coming week is the last of it!

Style

It's not likely that I'll forget some of these current fashions at our house. The favorite shoes, the right size pulled out a box, and the hair length have been seen before. But, to get them documented into eventual print:

These boots Paige insists on wearing constantly make it on with whatever dress, pants, or shorts she puts above. She might soon utilize her pile of cheap flip-flops, but I am sure that the boots will also remain as top pick regardless of the season.

New to Tyler's pile is a pair of bib overalls from Rich and Dixie (Rich lives in matching striped overalls 24/7 and thought a matching pair for my kids was needed). Not many items can be hand-me-downs across gender, but these were. Originally gifted to Paige, they are now buckled onto cute brother. I'm a fan of the look (that will likely be short lived with how quickly he's growing).

Also new is Tyler's Summerbuzz (and the bright blonde he's becoming). If Matt's in charge of bathtime, the likelihood of clippers is great!

Hovering

Last weekend, while looping their bikes around in the parking lot of my Dad's office, Meg exclaimed that she saw a hummingbird's nest in the tree. What? She is moving faster than us. Her perspective is lower than ours. It is probably just an old normal-sized nest from years ago.

Looking closer in the direction she pointed, sure enough a nest sat among the branches. More accurately an itty-bity nest sat on a single branch. Both the petite size and the momma bird that darted past confirmed that it indeed belonged to a hummingbird!

What an amazing thing to see! Carefully constructed. Just big enough for the body of a hummingbird to fit snugly within. Without a human hand in the pictures to measure against, I guess you could compare it to the small leaves that overshadow it. It is no bigger than a golf-ball! A humbling piece of nature.

So, when my parents headed out of town for this entire week, and the responsibility to water and collect mail at both the house and office fell on our shoulders, I used it as an excuse to frequently check on this new-found nest. Hover, if you will.

I would pull into the parking lot with eyes focused on the area of the nest. Immediately the momma would dart out of the branches, flying away at full speed. If you hadn't been watching, you would have missed her entirely. If focus had been elsewhere, you would have remained oblivious of the hidden nest.

Within moments she'd be back. First day of watching, we noticed the nest looked a bit different. Overnight, white specks had been added to the outerwalls. Almost looked like coconut shavings. With momma nowhere in sight, I stepped out the car and attempted to catch a picture with the camera. Stepping closer, a fast flutter of wings came at me. No kidding. This momma and her large beak (at least as big as fisherman describe their catches) came at me. Shrinking back, I watched as a pointy beak flew by...with a wad of soft white stuff in her mouth. She was still in the building process. Still making the nest comfortable. And, obviously, I was in the way.

I reverted back into the driver's seat. Window open would still provide a view of the nest. I sat and waited. A bit flustered from the first fly-by. Moments passed. I was ready to call it a night, when within inches of the open window came the momma again! Staring me straight on. Hovering at my eye-level. I shrieked, aloud! What else was I to do when this live thing with a sharp weapon came aiming at me. Haha. No kiddin'. Yes, I realize it is a pint-size nothing, but its feistiness could rival any brown bear with a cub. Yes, I felt ridiculous. Especially when I looked up and saw a neighbor positioned at his fence watching me. He likely had no idea who or why I was there, and was standing on watch. With a character-matching hat on and everything, now I had a "Wilson" from Home Improvement hovering on the property line. Watching my moves. I'd have to be less alarmed/alarming.

So, up rolled my window. Just three inches remained open. Enough to aim the camera lens through. Pathetic (my sister laughed when she could easily visualize me doing this!). At this point I realized I could never cut it as a Nature cameraman. Holding still when a tiger approached? No way!

I began to back out and call it a night. I glanced up one more time, and say the momma perched in the top branches. Eyeing me still. Likely laughing and irritated that I wouldn't go away. All right, I'll call it a night. But, we'll be back tomorrow. The "mail must be checked."

Next day, all three kids were the back seat. Hopes of sitting quietly enough that the momma would return to her nest were slim. Ah, but I've got suckers from the bank (Bless that bank lady). Three suckers muting the backseat, we were able to settle in and watch.

Wasn't long until momma returned. Thankfully, not so close to the window. This time she went pretty directly to the nest. Camera up. Noise from the back ("More. More." from Tyler who chomped his sucker too quickly). Momma flew away. Moment missed. Meg gave up the remains of her sucker to quiet down brother. She was completely interested in seeing the bird return. Sugar could be sacrificed...

Momma returned. Darted up the nest. Settled in and stayed! Camera up! I was able to snap several. A few turned out in focus! Again, an amazing thing to see!


Next day, we returned in Matt's truck. Now that a picture of momma and nest was had, I wanted to see in the nest. I know I'm on the verge of driving the momma crazy with my daily five-minutes of staring, but if I can just learn what is inside, I'll be content to leave her alone until things change.

Matt obliged my request for help in getting a good vantage point. He backed the truck bed under the tree. I found myself perching - precariously on the side of the truck bed. Hold on to me! Camera up!

Evidence caught of two eggs inside! Now the nest is deemed small by any naked eye. But the eggs - no bigger than the tip of my pinkie! Priceless.

Yes, momma hummingbird, I can understand why you're standing guard. I'll leave your ground and let you finish out the remaining days on the nest in peace.

It's now been a bit since the stalking. I find myself back at home among my kids on a Sunday night. I find myself comparing myself to that of the hovering hummingbird.

There are so many points in my day when I feel like I've got the role of a full-speed bird. Darting in every direction. Trying to take care of everything that needs to be done. Picking up something at point A to take to point B, but pit-stopping at C, D, and E along the way. I can be quick. I can be efficient. I know what needs to be done. But, man, flapping my wings continuously at such a rapid speed is exhausting.

There are also moments in my day when I feel like a sharp, mean, harmful beak could easily be seen poking out of me. Sure, my momma make-up is a way to defend against outside influences that try and intrude on my home and influence my children. There is purpose in my make-up and instincts. But, I fear that too often I direct the sharpness at my children, rather than using it as a tool to gather "soft" things that bring comfort. Too many moments I lose my cool. How I hope they never fear me and my spastic ways as I feared the hummingbird. Certainly I had a size advantage as I did stood near the hummingbird...my innocent children are at a disadvantage.

There are also moments I find myself perched for a break. Perhaps I've stopped because I'm overwhelmed. Perhaps something has gotten in the way of "my plans" and made me consider a way around my trial. At these paused moments, I recognize how very small I really am. I feel very overwhelmed by what surrounds me.

I have to remind myself that my itty-bitty corner that is tucked away is not forgotten. It is still amazing. The work inside of it is important. Others might peek in and view clips of what I'm staying busy with, but they don't know the whole picture. An on-looker might recognize the miracles within my nest as amazing, but then they'll move on and return to their own corner. I will remain. Hovering. Hovering over my Little Ones, knowing that my constant watch over them is what I am to be doing.

Yep, in my own little sphere, I am a bit like a feisty, fast-moving, overwhelmed hummingbird. May I keep up with the role, I pray.

(Don't just glance quickly over this last shot...see the Momma heading up into her nest?!?)

Lunch WITH Amy!

I am always grateful for a lunch out with a friend. They don't happen often, because frankly, it's easier to just stay home and make the required peanutbutter sandwiches than to cover my bases and go. But, oh, a chance to eat and talk slowly! A chance to select something from a more sophisticated menu that your family wouldn't want!

I was especially grateful for a lunch with cousin Amy, yesterday! She was in town and we made meeting up a priority. I've had our day written on the calendar and been looking forward to it for a while. Just us! No kids. No husbands. No hurried agenda. Just lunch (and Nielsen's icecream as mandatory dessert!). Just catching up as we've done before. Just talking through challenges and daily details in a way no long distance chain of emails can do.


But, really, no simple "just" fits the fact that she was able to come and sit across the table from me. The fact that she made it out of the ICU states away, and is again holding her own a couple of months later is miraculous. (Doesn't she look amazing in yesterday's picture, above?)

If someone had peeked at us from another lunchtable, they would have seen us laughing together and also furrowing our brows with no good explanations. If someone had eavesdropped, they would have heard our personal updates and also our list of what was perhaps to be learned in the recent bit. But, that same outside someone wouldn't know the whole backstory of our past months from just looking at us. They wouldn't know our struggles nor our wins.

And, you know, I think that's just how life is: A room full of round lunch tables with people meeting up if/when they can then returning to their individual reality after the tab is paid. One patron looking at the next doesn't know another's full story. No one knows what the other was facing last week. Everyone has their own challenges and triumphs.

I left lunch both grateful for the chance to catch up, and aware of the importance of not judging others in another chair. And, when I came home, I found myself (as Matt said) looking HAPPY! That's what talking and listening to a dear friend will do - send you home happy!

Because of Amy's scare (she recorded full details on her blog, and some of you heard bits and pieces from my emotional self along the way), I find myself even more grateful that she's here to figure this life out alongside me. I find myself more appreciative of genuine friendships. I find myself more thankful each time my path crosses with anyone who gives me better perspective. I find myself more appreciative of my physical ability to deal with the motions rather than just going through them.

Visiting: Three in the Valley

We headed out last night to visit three temples in the South Salt Lake Valley: Draper, Oquirrh Mountain, and Jordan River. Our health and weather weren't the best (had to bring along a bowl in case Paige puked...and had to view some from the car because of the rainstorm), but it was still good to get out!

First up: Draper. I was surprised by how beautiful the drive up to it was - a beautiful mountainside with hiking trail heads that we want to return to. I was surprised by how many huge houses seemed to sit so close to the temple's doorstep. But with one's back turned to the residential, there were still some dramatic views, especially with the incoming clouds.


We climbed back into to seatbelts and headed back down the road. On the way to each temple, to distract them from the driving time, Matt would ask if one of the kids could "help him find/see" the temple. It had them questioning his ability to find places. I just sat back and smiled as I heard the following conversation in the car:

Matt: "Ok, look out for a temple around here!"
Meg: " Do you really know how to get there?"
Matt: "Ya, I know how to get to everything."
Paige: "Do you know how to get to Heaven?"
Matt: "Yes."
Paige: "Let go there!"
Meg: "Ya, let's go now!"
Paige: "Do you know how to get to Hell?"
Matt: "Um, Yes..."

Shortly after that questioning we made it to the second stop - the Oqquirh temple. This building is much smaller, and again among many modern subdivisions. The rain was coming down, so pictures were taken for the comfort of the car. If the girls wanted to be in a picture, they had to run out and pose within zoomable range - hence the "Here, Mom?" yell from Paige. By this point in the night, Paige was a bit less lethargic and actually hungry (!!). She was willing to pose by Meg - Meg's posing perkiness!

After a quick pitstop at my oldest sister's nearby house for icecream, we made a driveby of temple number three of the night. It was past bedtime and the kids were exhausted. Even I was a bit out of the mood when it meant continual turns past brightly lit storefronts and stops at city lights. But, when we pulled up next to the lit temple, we were excited to see it. Even Tyler perked up to point to and say "temple" in his own little way: "Bumple!"

It's silhouette against the night's dark sky was a good conclusion to our Sunday. Easy, really, to hit all three in an evening and then head back home to our beds. We're blessed to have so many options so close.

Utah Temples to Tour:

Bountiful

Brigham City

Draper

Jordan River

Logan

Manti

Monticello

Mount Timpanogos

Ogden

Oquirrh Mountain

Payson

Provo

St. George

Salt Lake

Vernal

I got your back!

Tyler is a constant shadow. I know that doctors give the parents' a reminder around this age to watch out for their child who will always be underfoot. An observing tag-along is common. But, this guy of mine really exceeds that bar. He is always watching nearby. He is an keen observer and an instant mimic. He'll silently watch from a corner, nod his head solemnly when comprehending, and then make gestures of what he just saw. I can see many days working alongside his Dad in the future!

Not only does he want to be where the action is, but he wants to understand it. Not only does he want to understand, but he wants to exactly duplicate it. And, not only does he want to just do what appears fun to him, but he wants to stop midstream to help another.

Sweet thing. After being sick over last week, he now sees that it is Paige's turn. Poor Paige is almost at a week of feeling awful. (Which combines for two plus weeks of puke puddles to clean up.) I had to grab the camera, today, when I found him consoling his sister. She was exhausted from just huddling over the toilet. He was swooping in with a hug! Seeing this love gets me choked up after an especially long week.

I hope his attention to details, his ability to quickly catch on, and his empathy to comfort those around him are all traits that stick!
Sweet, sweet shadow.

Winter, Spring, or Summer?

It's been hard to tell what season it's been in Utah, lately. Today had bits of three. The morning was spent inside painting (will put that post up tomorrow) while rain and occasional flecks of white snow fell outside. Winter white, go away! Brrr.

But, finally the sun broke through the clouds and made for a pleasant afternoon. Losing Paige from view for a few moments, I found her outside. Not just outside with toes dipped in Spring puddles. This girl decided sunshine warranted full swimsuit. A few inches of rainwater in the sitting wagon can make a swimming hole, right. (Good thing she's got her floatie! Wants the full effect in those dangerous depths, I guess!)

Brother, of course, was quick to follow suit. Splashing! Thankfully not diving right in.

That was, at least, until he spotted just what he wanted access to:

...the watering hole in the back of his fourwheeler! SPRING for sure!

But, then I found us ending the night with a common Summer activity. The girls have been begging to know when we could make smores again. So, with the day's rain showers past and needed things in the cupboard, we pulled out the firepit! The girls started with a stick independently in hand.

...until Paige realized "it's still white."

Then Matt's expertise was asked for. Quick and golden brown! (Meg kept a hold of hers for a bit longer because she claimed she wanted "something to make and be proud of.")

Happy faces tell it all.

Although my eating face remains behind the lens, you can imagine how heavenly this was smooshed between chocolate and crackers. Ahhh!

Though windy and still certainly a wet Spring, it was good. I'll remember this treat that we snuck in after today's showers...and before tomorrow's. (Who's up for some with us when things really warm up?)