One thing I love about where I live is how easy it is to find new places to go. Our library was temporarily closed, so we went to a neighboring library. They had more activities for kids and it was a lot of fun. I also noticed that there was a pioneer museum next door, and looked it up and found out they did a Pioneer Day event. So we went to that and it was a lot of fun.

We also drove up a canyon to go to Grotto Falls and Payson Lakes. We had tons of fun even if there was algae and our gas tank got all the way to empty (we did make it to the gas station, but just barely). While I was there I was already planning a trip back to the same area to do more new things.

We invited cousins on a hike to Bridal Veil. The trip took an unexpected turn when a person rappelling the waterfall fell, and Joe and his brother helped moved him out of the waterfall. He was hurt, but seemed like he’d be okay, and then we got to see all the people that show up when someone gets hurt in the mountains, and it was a lot.

We also went tubing on Deer Creek Lake with friends. Lots of fun, except for Peter who doesn’t like tubing but did like the candy, and I got seasick. Luckily not until the very end. Zack was so proud of himself for being brave and going on the tube. Henry and Curtis went on so much and so hard that the tube broke at the end!

For my birthday, we went up the Mirror Lake Highway and went hiking to Provo River Waterfalls, and Fehr Lake. We hauled out the kayak and paddleboard and had a great time out on the lake.

Since I last wrote, Curtis, Joe and Peter went to young men’s camp. Zack had swimming lessons. Henry performed his play Finding Nemo.

We’ve been to parks, Storytime, and Splash Summit. I had an overnight trip with my sisters where we played on the lake and went hiking and talked.

For the forth, we went out on the lake and hiked to Upper Falls in Provo Canyon. And set off and watched fireworks.

Evie’s birthday was next, she had a great time. Maybe not so much when she had a diaper disaster in the middle of everything, but that was more Mom’s problem than hers. I loved watched her get all the attention, especially from her brothers.

We had cousins over, and also went to the Space Center for a mission.

Definitely staying busy this summer!

One ambitious Saturday we went up to Salt Lake City and visited Red Butte Garden, The Natural History Museum, and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. And I just took pictures of the garden, because it’s my favorite. It is the best public garden in the state.

Zack finished up his soccer program he did. We went to Highland Glen Pond for some nature time, and Joe took the boys camping one evening. Peter had more basketball camps. So we are staying busy and engaged, but there’s still time to have fun at home too.

June is dropping kids off at summer camp. Peter is doing multiple basketball camps, Henry’s in a play, Curtis has football, basketball, and space camp, and Zack has soccer and swimming.

We fill our free time going to parks, Splash Summit (we have season passes this summer), the library, and an occasional adventure. We also put up the pool, and built a swing set in the yard.

Plus there’s still all the normal chores and with kids home more it sometimes means there is more help, but it often means there is just more work.

Go outside. I’ve been working in the garden and also hiking and such.

Finish projects. It feels good to accomplish things. Sometimes this means splitting big projects into smaller ones so I still feel like I’m making progress.

Connect with others. I’ve been going to the school events where everyone is celebrating, inviting people to join me on adventures, saying yes when people offer help, and offering to help to others. Life is better with other people.

Seriously. The snow is melting in the mountains, allowing for more hiking. It’s even warm enough to go out on the lake on the canoe (which we did for our anniversary).

The kids are ending soccer and having preschool graduation and finishing up big projects like the Medieval Fair.

I have one week of school for the kids left. Then summer!

Spring is always busy for me. I usually have lots of clients who want garden designs yesterday. The kids have year-end projects and soccer, and they are going a little stir-crazy with the anticipation of summer. I also have my own garden to plant and take care of.

On Saturday I spent far too long trying to get a drip system to work. I had parts that were faulty and needed to be replaced. We had plans to grab a picnic and hike Bridal Veil Falls, and it was a couple of hours later than I had planned on going. With the encouragement of my husband, we went anyways.

It was beautiful, and the perfect break to the end of a stressful day. I’ve never actually hiked the normal trail up to the base of the waterfall until that day. I enjoyed seeing native plants in bloom, and my children all had a pretty good time. It was lovely. I’m so grateful that we have beautiful places to go, to enliven the soul.

• 1) Invite friends. My sister and her children joined us.
• 2) Go right when they open. Not only is it less crowded, but the animals are more alert and active.
• 3) Get discount tickets. We usually use the PBS Kids Adventure Pass.
• 4) Keep it short and simple. We saw everything and left after a couple of hours.
• 5)Do the carousel. Yes, it is extra, but not that much, and it’s fun.