The Haggard Herald

Jackie and I decided earlier this year that we would hike with our kids together this summer.  Our goal was once a week and I bet we went maybe 10 times or so.  Having friends to go with really helps to motivate little people to move along the trail.  And we picked short easy hikes for the most part so that everyone would love hiking and want to go each week.  It worked great. We hiked to the grotto falls, along the Nebo Scenic loop, in the spring.  The mountains by us got a lot of snow this winter and so the run-off was high in the spring.  It washed out a couple of the log bridges.  But Jackie is an adventurer and found a way for us to get to the waterfall without crossing back and forth at the normal spots.  It's a pretty short hike and the kids loved it!  I really want to take them back now, in the fall. We hiked along this cool little trail behind a campground in Mapleton Canyon.  There were a million butterfl...

One thing I am very proud of this summer is our garden.  Matt put in a drip line this spring.  It's amazing.  When you water regularly things are quite likely to grow well.  :) We got raspberries and peas in the spring.  And we planted two little peach trees this spring. And so far this summer we've eaten our beets, yellow onions, green beans, cucumbers, tomatillos, tomatoes, zucchini, orange cherry tomatoes, and first yellow squash.  The green onions didn't sprout and the peppers and broccoli didn't do so hot. The cucumbers are out of control.  I love having a crop that is so abundant I don't know what to do with all of them!  Matt helped me make one batch of refrigerator dill pickles and they are good.  I think I need to try canning pickles.  We've picked at least 75 cucumbers and it isn't slowing down... There's probably another 15-20 I should go pick right now.  :) We also did a few herbs this summer.  Sage...

I love Lucy.  She is three.  And she doesn't let me forget it--both in word and deed.  I think she got my strong will and persistence (which translates into she will fight me to the end on something she wants or thinks needs to happen).  Is it possible for some characteristics to be given, or handed over, from parent to baby when they are born?  I really think Maddie took a bit of my strong will out of me when she was born and Lucy took a double portion when she came along.  Lucy, you are welcome! It's served me well and will for you, too. Lucy is fiercely loyal, very protective, also nurturing like Madeleine, and is so so playful.  She wants to solve all problems and make-better all the hurts.  When Matt is telling her a story and the main character is hurt or has a problem (the height of the story) Lucy can't help herself and interjects: "I know what I could do to help her!" or "I could save her and do..." There is no problem Lucy doesn't have...

Playing with Christmas toys. Sunday mornings.  Riding the ski bus.  Skiing together. <3 Collecting worms off the sidewalk this spring.  Playing outback on a warm spring day.  This face.  This playful, teasing, happy face.  Jess and baby Tatum before they left us! This is all her.  She's two.  Starts for the garden.  Lucy and Grandma playing stickers.  A girl, her bunny, and her baby doll.  Lucy, Bunny (a half broken garden statue that both girls adore) and kitty (handmade by Alisa!) sitting on my lap out front this spring.