Sunday Stroll

The clocks went forward today, and the sun stayed with us to celebrate. After lunch we took a walk to Great Hound Tor on Dartmoor and it cheered my fed-up soul. I posted some photos of the same tor last November here, just look at the difference a season makes! I haven't been out on the moors for months, I have spent every free day since Christmas at my parents house helping to pack for their move, then unpacking at their new home. It was good to get out walking again on my favourite moor. (I really ought to remember to take my camera out with me, these phone pictures don't really do the place justice.)

This little man melts my heart:

'Hello up there Ethan!':

The famous five:

It's pretty much impossible to get all four looking great in a photo:

Ben likes to hang:

A daddy and daughter moment:

I love where I live:

Oh Dear

Rosie has suddenly taken an interest in the H&M catalogues...

Sunday's Smile Lines

James' Adventures

I'm home now, straight back into the school run, cleaning and cooking, it's like I never went away!  I'm pretty sure Noah and Rosie grew an inch while I was gone.  I've been posting the blog pages that didn't upload and looking at James' holiday photos from his hikes and I had to share them, they are beautiful.  Here's Rock Canyon in Provo after a snowfall:

James climbed three mountains in four days, the first being the Y that I half did.  Here's the summit:

Next up was Buckley mountain behind my sister's house:

James at the head of the trail:

And at the top, overlooking Springville:

The third was West mountain:

The summit:

This is the lake he and my brother-in-law had a BBQ beside:

Oh, Utah, you are pretty!

Heading Home

This trip has gone so fast. I'm going to miss this:

And this:

And this:

Xanadu

Today James and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary a day early.  We had a night out at the theatre in Orem to see Xanadu, a play directed by our friend Chris Clark.  I can safely say it was the campest thing I have ever seen and we absolutely loved it!  I have never laughed so much during a play before, my face truly ached by the end of it.  If you live close enough to go see it I thoroughly recommend it, how can you go wrong with hot pants, glitter, roller skates and men in dresses?

Mountain Love

I can't get bored of the mountains behind Jay's house:

Wednesday's Smile Lines

Today was lunch number two with Lisa and Jenny, this time it was at Cafe Rio (one can never eat too many times at that place!).  I first met Lisa 10 years ago when she and her family came to England for a year while her husband studied Shakespeare.  Her boys were the same age as ours and we had lots of adventures around Devon together.  Jenny is a friend of Lisa's and I've read her blog for years now, I was excited to get to meet her on this trip and not just be a stalker!  The only picture I have of us all together is rather awful (for me), but I shall still share it...for posterity.  (I'm being brave!)  Lisa and Jenny look as gorgeous as ever, but somehow the windswept car park of Old Navy was not doing me any favours.  Where was I looking?  Where did my hair go?  Why did I not straighten out my clothes?  No amount of Instagram can save me from this:

Thanks for a lovely afternoon ladies!

Half Up

Today James and I hiked the 'Y'.  Well, I hiked to the top of the Y and James carried on up to the summit!

It has been a gorgeously warm day today, lots of spring sunshine and blue skies.  When I saw that the height at the start of the trail is higher than the summit of Snowdon, I knew my lungs would not be happy.  I took about four steps and they protested rather noisily.  I ignored them and wheezed my way up.

I paused to take in the fantastic views (catch my breath):

I also spent time trying not to slip down the mountain on the icy patches:

Isn't it so pretty up there?

 Another 'admiring the view' moment:

It took an hour and fifteen minutes to get to the top of the Y, rather woeful considering the number of old men RUNNING past me up the mountain.  The view was worth it though:

While we ate our lunch sat by the Y a huge eagle flew past.  It was too quick for us to dig out our cameras but it was magnificent and so beautiful to watch.  I did however, take a photo of James before he carried on up to the summit, you know, just in case he didn't make it back and it was the last opportunity I had.  Luckily he survived!

Baby Love

This weekend we visited with our good friends Lucy and Richard, they have been living in Sandy for over 7 years but will return home to Newton Abbot next month!  I can't wait.  We were able to see their son being baptised and had fun playing with their twin girls.  They loved James.