We were going to go camping.

But then the weather forecast looked gloomy.
And Rachel had to work.
And kids were grumpy.
And it sounded like a lot of work.

Not worth it.

Instead, we went practice camping in the backyard. Here's how practice camping looks.

That is me, reading a book. Meanwhile, Jackson made a fire, Evelyn cooked dinner, and Addy and Maren readied the tent. It actually turned out pretty great. And now we know that when we go real camping, all the kids can help. No excuses.

*****

Rachel has been helping out all year in the kids' classrooms. Last week she was able to go on some field trips with them.

Evelyn with her weirdie friends

Addy and Jackson went on a bird-watching walk

Not a field trip, but a presentation that Ev did on...birdfeeders? I think? I dunno. I wasn't really in on this one.

*****

Yesterday we planned on hitting the beach, but it turned out to be just breezy enough to make us think twice. Instead we went to the indoor water park.

Lindsey really liked when the huge bucket emptied on her

I did this slide with Lindz about a thousand times. Ugh.

The Flowrider (wave surf machine) was definitely a favorite....

...It also made for some pretty spectacular whipeouts. Who did it best, Rachel or Jack? 

He actually got a little hurt on this one, but it wasn't five minutes later that he was back in line, ready to try again.

Have a good week!

We just returned from a wonderful Hazard Holiday weekend, and as much as I want to just dive right into describing these events, I feel like there are a few housekeeping items that we need to go over first.

For example, we had our fourteen year wedding anniversary. Fourteen! Fourteen years, and I still get just as excited as ever at the thought of spending an evening with Rachel watching the sunset from our deck, or curled up under a blanket watching a movie. Fourteen years and we still enjoy going on dates together, usually at least once a week, and sometimes much more than that. Having Evelyn available to babysit has really made this easier, and we often go out spontaneously after putting kids down for the night. Fourteen years and we still read books together, take classes together, and discuss together our thoughts about life. We have both become more vulnerable, and at the same time more comfortable with each other in discussing the deepest parts of ourselves. We laugh harder with each other, and we cry more openly into each other's arms. We are both very different people today than we were when we got married, and yet we feel more connected than ever before. For those who understand the reference, we are each other's "Johnny Lingo," inspiring in the other a degree of self-confidence and assurance that might not ever be possible otherwise. It's been fourteen years standing side by side, hand-in-hand, through victories, failures, heartaches and most of all, the unspeakable joys that life has to bring. It has been an amazing ride so far, and we look together with eager anticipation at what the future might bring.

Rachel, my love- it has been a WONDERFUL fourteen years.

And that's only the beginning.

Here's to our future. Cheers.

*****

As many readers of this blog might know, we usually celebrate our anniversary with a big trip which isn't always able to happen at the same time as the actual date. This year we have planned a splendid road trip up through British Columbia and then back down through Seattle that will take place in July. For now however, we simply bask in the lovely weather of spring and count the blessings that we are able to bring to each other.

Part of that, of course, includes the start of a long season full of social events and backyard barbecues. To kick things off, we hosted about 50 people for a lovely evening around the fire-pit, full of good times and good camaraderie. We were able to make some new friends and reconnect with old ones. I really like that our home is able to accommodate these types of events so well, and that there is able to be something for everyone, from the very young to the very old. To this end, we recently added a pool table to the mix which, so far, has been a lot of fun but has done nothing to boost our egos as we clumsily try and figure out how to actually play the game well.

Other recent events have included dancing at the piano bar, rock climbing at our local park, swimming at the beach, and a very upscale dinner party at the resort with a bunch of my colleagues. Things have been peacefully busy (or busily peaceful), and we seem to be on a mellow sort of auto-pilot from now until the end of the school year. It's a nice groove to be in.

Here we are testing out the newly-installed pool table. That thing is a lot heavier than it looks!

*****

Here is something that is kind of neat. The Kroc center (local community center), in celebrating their tenth anniversary, commissioned a local artist to do a painting. It will be placed permanently near the child care area. Do you recognize any of the children in the painting?

*****

One tradition that has really become an indulgence around here is that of the annual Hazard Holiday. I don't know if there is ever a time when we are so self-consciously full of  ourselves as this, but we have fun and it has led to some great memories. This is especially true of this year, where we forced our children to take a walk with us down memory lane and visit all the sites that were meaningful to our courtship when we were in college (at least, those that were still standing). Of course we threw some fun stuff in there as well to try and give some respite, however brief it may have been, to the constant eye rolls and gagging noises coming from the back seat. (Actually, I'm just kidding about that last part. Our kids actually liked all the stories about when we were younger and they got pretty excited about see the areas we were talking about.)

We started out in Provo- home of Brigham Young University. We saw the apartments that we used to live in when we were dating, the house we rented after we got married, and the places where we spent our time at work and at school. It was a nice walk.

The rest of our trip is going to have pictures to go with it, the story evolving in the captions. I think it is more interesting to read that way. And honestly- a little easier to write. Also, some of these pictures are pretty good, but as always, the quality isn't there because of limitations on Blogger. Click on them for full resolution. It's funner that way.

Our tour of campus started on the south end where we walked up the same stairs that brought us both to our classes every day. Behind this graceful crew of girls is Y mountain, which is visible only because the Widtsoe building (Home of the molecular biology department- one of my majors) was torn to shreds. I'm not bitter though. Really, I'm not. The new Life Sciences Building is amazing.

Here is the home of my second major- Biochemistry. One by one, turning the next generation into science nerds. Oh yeah!

I'm pretty sure this is a picture of Adalie tattling on Maren and Jackson during our ten-hour drive.

After walking all the way across campus we ended at the Bean Museum where we saw live animal demonstrations and gawked at the magnificent variety of dead things. It was pretty cool.

We wanted to have milkshakes at the place where Rachel and I used to go on dates, but it was torn down (not bitter, I promise). Instead, we went to a new burger joint. It wasn't quite as good.

This is the big, wide open field we were walking in when we shared our first kiss. It was raining, and the air smelled like dandelions. It was very romantic. Now it is a building.

Here's a picture of the park where we would go to and talk until all hours of the night while we were dating. It was the site of our first date. It was where we broke up...and where we got back together. It was where we first said "I love you." Except that it's obviously not there any more. It was torn down and replaced with this building.

Seriously, it's like the town of Provo is out to get us- dismantling our past one brick at a time, leaving nothing in the relentless wake of progress but tender shadows of memories- memories which will eventually fade, and then die as mere teardrops, lost in the great sea of humanity.

But these sure are nice looking apartments, right? 

That night we stayed in a hotel WITH A SWIMMING POOL!!!!!! Honestly, I don't get it. We have access to amazing natural beaches where we live, we own a boat, and we go regularly to three different water parks. And still, there is nothing that can beat the incredible thrill of a small, puddle sized swimming pool in a hotel. It makes no sense. I give up.

The next morning we went to Rock Canyon- a place I visited probably five days a week when I was living in Provo. I am looking so triumphant in this photo because I went back to an old climbing project of mine- a slabby 5.12b that I was never able to even reach the second bolt on- and after a twelve year absence I onsighted that sucker. BAM!

The kids all got to climb as well, in a place called "The Kitchen." Some of my earliest climbing memories were on this formation. Also, Maren is super fashionable. Just sayin'.

This house has SOOO many memories. This is where my grandma lived before she died. Rachel and I both teared up a little when we took this picture.

The aquarium in Draper was a highlight for everyone. They probably tore down something important in order to build it.

We also got to spend some time with my Grandma and Grandpa Hazard at their house. The next day, they took us to the Curiosity museum. My cousin, Krystalee, was also there with her kids. This was an unexpected bonus stop for us and one of our favorite parts of the trip.

Overall, I'd say that this year's Hazard Holiday was a huge success. Kids and weather were both (mostly) cooperative, and we got to pack a lot of activity into a short amount of time. That's just how we roll.

Have a good week!

C.O.M.P.L.I.M.E.N.T.

Each time we are out in public and the kids receive a good word for their behavior, they earn a letter. When they get the "T" at the end, they get a party. It has worked really well, and I smile every time I hear one of them thank our server by name at a restaurant, or hold the door open for a stranger as they try to get their letters. This week they completed the word once more, and as a celebration we designed a day of fun, made even better by the free Silverwood tickets that a friend gave to us.

It started out pretty cold, but Silverwood is Silverwood, and it got warmer as the day moved on

Train ride!

It was Lindsey's first time at the park. She had a blast!

Besides Silverwood, we ate way too much pizza for our own good, went rock climbing and hiking with some friends, and had a milkshake party.

Also, Evelyn, Addy, and Jack each had sleepovers this weekend with different friends. It has been a busy few days.

*****

I do have to tell one story of a COMPLIMENT letter that they did NOT earn. See, Addy and Jack are in an archery class. They love it, and they are getting pretty good at coming close to hitting the target every time.

Jack and Addy on bottom right

Well, Rachel and I had stepped out of the house for a moment when we got a text from a neighbor. "Do you know that your kids are shooting bows and arrows in the front yard?"

I went home to investigate, and got there right around the same time as the police officer. She had come to investigate the little yahoos and to meet the crazy parents who didn't understand that lethal weapons are not allowed to be practiced in a neighborhood. I was surprised then, when she held out her hand and smiled warmly at me.
"Are these your children?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Well, they are the most charming kids I've ever met! As you probably know, I came because I heard reports of bows and arrows being used. When I got here, the kids came up to me and explained very clearly what they were doing. They showed me the blunted arrows and the targets in the ground. They spoke to me politely, but also like we were equals. That is uncommon in kids. Anyway, I don't actually think they were doing anything wrong per se. Nobody is getting in trouble here, but I do think is scares some of your neighbors and so it's probably best not to bring the bows in the front yard."

I was a little embarrassed at having a cop show up at our house, but also a little proud of my kids who would have the social awareness to explain in clear and polite terms their side of the story. It was a good compliment to receive. I assured the officer that we would keep the target practice contained to safe areas, and we all waved her on her way.

Yes, they were good...but they still didn't get the letter. After all, a cop had to come to our house.

With Easter officially in the rear view mirror, I can finally feel like our winter is over and spring in out in full force. I went out in the yard today and mowed the lawn for the first time, and then set up our sprinklers- a new system we devised at the end of last year using multiple hoses and timers that will hopefully make for easy maintenance. Spring cleaning is next, and I have big plans for the shop to finally reach its full glory (gym/rec room/workplace). We'll also call this week and make an appointment for our boat to get de-winterized (I refuse to use the word "summerized"- I think it sounds weird), and the winter clothes, skis, and sleds will all go into storage. The sun is out the kids spend lots of time on their bikes and scooters. It is a good time of year.

For our weekend we took a quick trip to Rexburg to celebrate the holiday with my family. Griffin and Courtney (two of my siblings) came up with their kids as well and we had a full house and lots of bonding time with cousins. The community egg "hunt" was comical but fun, and the climb up "R Mountain" was a nice way to spend the afternoon. Adults got to spend quality time together as well, and we talked long into the night catching up with each other's lives. It was a good trip, and ended too soon.

Everyone in this good looking family made it to the top! Also, Maren's face got attacked by her hair in this picture (it was a bit windy), but it was the best one we had of the group. Sorry Mare : /

Here's a cute one of Maren

But in this one, she kind of looks like the girl from The Ring. We have got to figure out that hair!

Addy likes the view

This morning Rachel and I had our usual Monday morning breakfast date, and then went rock climbing at some nearby cliffs. From the breakfast table to the top of the first climb took 17 minutes. I love where we live!

Rach crushing it on her first climb of the year

Well...

       ...Have a good week!

Note: Most of the pictures here are worth clicking on for better resolution.

Nick: I'm trying to get a short notice climbing trip out to Vantage this weekend...Interested?

   Me: Yeah, I'd be down for that. Details?

Nick: I don't have it all laid out yet...I'll keep you posted.


Two days later we were on the road. It was pouring rain.

I had never been to Vantage before, but I had definitely heard a lot about this oasis of climbing in the middle of an otherwise mundane desert. Tall columns of basalt were said to provide infinite opportunities for short, high quality routes, and most of my climbing friends spoke highly of the area. The only hang-up might be the weather, but we were confident that things would work out.

Several hours later we pulled off the freeway onto a forgotten street marked with a dead-end sign. A couple miles further and I was maneuvering my Toyota minivan into a glorified road turn-out that could have been mistaken for a used Subaru dealership, each car competing with the next for the number of stickers on the back windows. Vehicles were scattered haphazardly along a makeshift dirt road with bearded men and crunchy women wandering to and from the two latrines stationed at the far end of the climber's camp. The cool air smelled of woodsmoke, dirt, and weed, creating a unique laid-back atmosphere that falls somewhere between Camp 4 in Yosemite and an outdoor music venue. The rain was still falling, but only lightly, and we were cautiously hopeful as we set up our camp.

Once our site was established, we hefted our packs and aimed our sights toward the cliffs. As we meandered around small boulders and sagebrush the sun started to make its appearance, further stoking our optimism while at the same time creating out of the sky a dramatic composition of clouds and light that, in itself, could have made the trip completely worthwhile.

After about a quarter mile we came to a narrow cleft in the ground, almost invisible if you don't know where to look. We squeezed ourselves into it, and at least one member our our group had to remove his pack to fit through the narrow notch as the walls closed in around us.

Descending deeper and deeper into the earth, the notch seemed almost like a secret passageway of the kind I used to write about as a child. Back then, they opened up into other worlds, with dinosaurs or tropical jungles for my imagination to explore. In this one, however, I was met at the end with an equally fantastical scene, not of mystical creatures, but of an endless wall of gorgeous climbs, their bolts and chalked holds spaced closely together, its continuity broken only by a great sea of fleece and down jackets packed even closer together, each with a small set of legs protruding out from the inside. This, I reasoned, is what sport climbing heaven might look like, the occupants sharing beta and mimicking moves as their fellow cherubs worked their way up and down the various routes.

As for the climbing itself, there isn't much to say. It was lovely. The weather cleared and we were able to do enough in two days to keep my hands stiff for the next week. We did a nice mix of trad and sport, crack and face, mostly on pretty moderate level routes. The highly featured cliffs led so some interesting moves and positions that you don't see very often in other types of rock, and I'm pretty sure that we were all happy to be out again after a long winter of climbing on nothing but wood and plastic.

*****

As for our activities closer to home, it was a pretty normal week. Rach and I went to a high school production of "You Can't Take It With You," and went out afterwards for appetizers and good conversation. Also, Rach had a girl's night out with her friends while I was away climbing, and although I haven't asked her about it, I'm assuming she had a good time catching up with people.

The kids are enjoying the nice weather and spend more hours playing outside now than they do watching tv- a nice change for everyone. They participated in a North Idaho Easter egg hunt by hiding eggs with gift cards in them, and then posting clues in an online Facebook group for people to find. Afterwords, they enjoyed ice cream sundaes at the resort. This next week we are preparing to head down to Rexburg for Easter, and are looking forward to seeing family down there.

Life is good.

Have a good week!