Saturday is a Special Day

Now that Henry's room is basically finished (still a few details to attend to, but we'll have pictures up soonish) our Saturdays have become much more enjoyable. No more painting trim or beadboard, no more finicky cuts to make or things to nail down...we now have Saturdays to do regular up-keepy things in the house and yard, to wash cars or (gasp!) do fun family things. 

Yesterday we did a little house/yard upkeep and some family fun as well. We took our kiddos

 on their first hike and picnic!

Lest you get too excited, we took them up Rock Canyon--which is more of a meander than it is a hike, and we didn't get pics of the picnic. But is was a coolish, cloudy day which is far more enjoyable for hiking with kids than a blisteringly hot, sunny day (since each of us lugged a kid the entire time).  And it is still so beautiful here since the sun hasn't yet scorched all life of the landscape. It was comfortable weather and green and beautiful! We probably only hiked 1/2 mile, but Jack did great (other than trying to pick up every rock in his path to throw toward the river...or the flowers...or the canyon walls...). Sheridan rode on Tyler's back the first half...until we took a rest and she face-planted while in the hiking pack *ouch*. Henry was tired, but (unlike the other kids when they were babies) he wouldn't sleep while in the snuggly. Sigh. He did enjoy stretching out while we had our picnic lunch! 

Hikes like these remind me that Utah really can conform to my Washingtonian standards of beauty...but you do have to search out the more verdant areas! The kids are already asking for another hike (after Sheridan reminds us that she "fell down in the backpack and got an owie!").