Spring break mini-trip

My lovely husband bought me a new camera for my birthday last week, since our old one has been on its way out for awhile. I managed to take it on our little spring break surprise trip for the boys, and figure out how to use it. I've sort of managed to get the photos uploaded, but editing and figuring out the WiFi uploading is still but a dream. I am truly not a technology buff :)  But I think the photos turned out okay, and this camera has a better zoom than the last, which should be a boon for my budding birdwatching interest.

We surprised the boys with a little mini vacation down to Honey Creek State Park for a two day stay. Of all the state park cabins we've stayed at, these were amazing. Comfortable, pretty, sustainable (solar panels!), and roomy. Our family of 5 was spoiled in these two bedroom, two bathroom cottage. Their "cabin fever" special made it a great deal, too. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate. I really would have loved to do some hiking along the trails and lakeside, or take advantage of the bike rentals the lodge offers. Maybe we'll go back in warmer weather at some point….   The indoor water park was the main event for this trip, and it's safe to say the kids had a good time. Mike and I enjoyed having HGtv after the boys went to bed in the evenings (it's the little things in life, eh? I just can't get enough of House Hunters International :)

The living area in our cottage was huge!

As was the kitchen and dining area. Spoiled!

The boys' bunk beds in their bedroom

Mike and the boys at Buccaneer Bay

Benji and Jack loved the floating obstacle course

Brothers

Mike agreed to be on Gavin duty on day #2 so that I didn't have to go in the pool. He walked MILES around the lazy river with this kid.

Jack was the only boy tall enough to do the water slide

Pirate Boys

The boys occupied themselves with dry erase boards in the cabin

My heart bleeds when I read this. Sniff, sniff. 

The head chef at their restaurant heard that Gavin is a budding chef himself, and offered to take the boys on a tour of the kitchen. It reminded me of my days working at Baker's Square. Ahh, the memories. The boys left with their own chef hats. It was a nice way to end the trip.

Playground was fun…but this sure isn't *spring* break weather!

A chilly, cloudy day at Honey Creek State Park on Lake Rathbun

My anxiety level was sky rocketing during this photo. Behind them (okay, okay, 6 feet behind them) that cliff plummets downward for a loooong time. Needless to say, I did not let the boys run around in this area very long!

Downy Woodpecker

I got a new bird feeder specifically so I could attract perching birds, like woodpeckers and nuthatches, that cannot simply sit on the perches/spiral of my other feeders. This simple hanging bag was an automatic success! I've seen this little downy woodpecker here several times:

St. Patrick's Day Birthdays

Mike's grandpa and his twin sister were born on St. Patrick's Day. Today we went to see Patrick and Patricia up in Ogden at his grandfather's nursing home to celebrate with some of the family. It was very green! :)

Zombies

Happiness…with a side of anything fried. And fruity pebbles.

Ding Dong, February is gone!!!

PHEW. Goodbyyyyyye February; hello March. I am relieved and celebratory and hopeful. February was a swirl of illness, frustration, dead ends, bad news and despair. It may be the shortest month, but it was the most dreadful in my opinion. Veterinary bills, healthcare bills, taxes, and other financial stressors wore us down. My last day of February ended with a referral to a neurologist. Fine. At least another hopeful direction will begin in March.

I welcome springing forward into more daylight, the new beginnings of spring, the muddy melting of snow saying a final farewell, another birthday I hope to cherish without worrying about age, and a giant goodbye to winter. On today, the first day of March, I get to spend the day with four amazing, intelligent, and inspiring women who I don't see nearly enough. What a good way to start a new chapter of 2014.