Look at our beautiful nectarine tree. Spring is coming! They days are getting longer and warmer. As a plus our county has moved into the "red" covid zone, meaning a few things are opening back up (not more school though yet, unfortunately). It feels like (maybe) a glimmer of hope. It has almost been a year now since we 'shut down'. Wow.
In other news our bunny Dot is growing like a weed. We were told she would be a 'dwarf' bunny, but looking at her now, I am not so sure!
We were all off last week for "Ski Week". Though we had initially planned to go to the cabin, we had several generous rental inquiries for the week, so instead we decided to take an Arizona road trip. The kids have never been to the desert before, so it was a good excuse to go.
We spent a day in Phoenix, where we all hiked up Camelback Mountain. It was a pretty steep boulder scramble, but the kids did great. Though it was the same hike I took with my girlfriends in 2018, it seemed a lot harder for me than I recall--guess I am getting older!
We next headed to Sedona, where we took a great day hike in the red rocks (Soilder's Pass/Brins Mesa). The weather was spectacular and the scenery was stunning.
We took a short spur trail to a cave/arch up in one of the rocks--which Jason and Ethan climbed up to--but Alaina was too small, and I was too scared.
Following Sedona we spent some time in the Grand Canyon. We didn't get to do much hiking though, as we woke up to about 5 inches of fresh snow and the canyon trails were far too slick to hike down. Still, they canyon was beautiful.
We ended the trip in Tucson, where we stayed at a dude ranch for a few nights. We didn't pay for the full experience, but got breakfast and one horseback ride each day. Now, I had never really ridden a horse before this trip, and nor had the kids. But it was interesting to try out, and the kids loved it.
We were able to learn quite a bit, and by the last day, Jason and Ethan were good enough to go on a "fast ride", with their horses loping through the desert. A photographer captured this image of Jason--he says the experience was quite terrifying!
Ethan looked a little more relaxed:
Certainly, the place was memorable, and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to visit.
Well time for another COVID Holiday: Valentine's Day.
Though we aren't celebrating, and Valentines were banned from school this year. Which is another sad part of a sad year....I always used to love exchanging valentines cards when I was in elementary school. Anyhow, I did want to share a cute Alaina story. On Friday in school (It was Alaina's week to attend, so she was in person!), her class read the book "Love Is" by Dian Adams. It is a very cute story about a girl and her ducking. Apparently after the story, they all went around the room to share what love meant to each of them. I asked Alaina what she shared and she told me "responsibility".
Responsibility? And then Alaina said, yes, you know like how I take care of my bunny. 💗
What a kid.
Lat Monday, Ethan turned 12. We officially have a pre-teen in the house. Since we were still up in Tahoe, He went skiing afterschool with Jason, and he got to pick our dinner stop on the way home. His choice: Boudin for dinner and Fenton's Ice Cream for a sundae for dessert.
We officially celebrated on February 2. His friend Zach came over for a chilly outdoor dinner and cake. The closest thing we could get to a birthday party during the pandemic.
This year for his birthday we bought Ethan a......
Recliner! Yes, it seems like a gift few 12-year-olds ask for, but I guess with home schooling he figures he will use it to attend school in comfort. LOL.
