Juliet is SIX

My sweet baby bunny is growing before my eyes. On her birthday we decided to head up the mountains for some lunch and an impromptu photoshoot. Juliet has been very invested and taken with fairies and nature as of late, and I thought like it was the perfect time to let her pretend to be a winter fairy in the woods. The day was so mild (even in the mountains) that she braved a few photos without a coat.

Yosemite Valley

We spent some lovely days in Yosemite Valley when we were in Yosemite last week. But first some perspective, Yosemite National Park is huge, over 1,000 square miles. But most of Yosemite's 3.8 million (!!!) visitors only visit the seven square miles in the valley.

While all of Yosemite is stunning, Yosemite Valley is a bit like the Garden of Eden. A huge deep green river winds it way through the center of the valley, and waterfalls on both sides of the valley (over six falls) tumble to join the Merced river at the bottom. Granite cliffs reach skyward and the famous Half Dome, El Capitan, and countless more granite cliffs circle the small valley.

Because 3.8 million people visit the valley every year, the most popular trails are crowded (think Old Faithful in Yellowstone). But only steps off some of the busiest trails in the park, we found many small hidden gems. This river the kids played in for over an hour, and we were the only ones there, and literally were within one minute of the busiest trail in the park.

Yosemite Falls is very special (we were married in a meadow that faced this waterfall), and what you see behind James is only a small portion of the falls! This lower fall is only a 320 foot drop (still HUGE) while the upper falls is over a 1400 foot drop (about the size of a 140 story building)! Enormous! 

James, who is the waterfall expert, spotted this tiny frog first thing. Can you spot him? He's perfectly camouflaged.

Our secret river spot was our favorite though. Although the huge waterfall has its appeal, the crowds don't.

Goof.

Another morning we headed into the valley early and stopped at this lovely historic church that we almost tied the knot in. Instead we decided for an outdoor ceremony, but isn't it stunning?

The morning light always captivates me.

Bridalveil Fall is another gigantic waterfall that plummets to the valley floor below. These photos really don't show you scale, because they are HUGE. (This one is about as tall as a sixty story building, which is three times larger than anything we have in Salt Lake City.)

I got the kids some new clothes for this trip, and this shirt (that read: Yosemite is always sunrises, a glitter of green, and golden wonder) felt especially apt.

As did the "America, Explore the National Parks".

Man we loved that river.

Near the old church we found a hallow log. Both kids had their new stuffed animals and played and played. The light was so beautiful E and I couldn't stop taking photos.

 So much of the wildlife is tame. Lots of guests taking this guy's photo.

Upper Yosemite Falls from cross the valley. We are always trying to get photos without a million people, because trust me, this park is packed.

More posts to come!

This photo isn't mine, but a Yosemite Valley post felt incomplete without showing the scale of Half Dome (source). 

Yosemite for our TEN YEAR anniversary!

Wow, I've really fallen off the blogging wagon, haven't I?! We've been SO BUSY this summer, lakes and rivers and hikes and swimming lessons. The gym and the garden. By evening I just want to relax and read, so alas, my blog has been pushed to the back burner. The far far back burner.

But we went to Yosemite last week with the kids and had an incredible time. I want to blog more of the days because vacation blogging is something I do often read and look back on. 

Until then, here are a couple of my favorite photos. Ahh, Yosemite, you are good to us.

Thanksgiving Point Tulips

One thing is certain, we love the tulip festival in our family. We go every year, and even with the crowds (the crowds are insane!) we have a really nice time. This year we bought waffles from a food truck and sat on the lawn in the sun and laughed and laughed.

Both kids have been earning allowance and saving their money for toys. James goes to the Lego store every time he has the minimum amount to buy something, but Juliet is much more like me, she saves and saves. Finally she decided she'd like a camera with her money. The entire time we were there

Juliet loves taking pictures of flowers, much like me.

She's so funny, she totally gets down low, gotta get on the flowers level. (And in case you were looking up her dress, she always wears bike shorts under her dresses. It's great, because it means that she can play and climb and never worry about underpants peeking out.)

Gotta check that photo, make sure the exposure was correct.

Most the time she's willing to give me a smile and a pose.

This little girl is looking less and less little by the day. Isn't she just the sweetest?

This one is hard to corner for a picture, glad I got one!

And the mama and baby owls are back! Woot! Watching them is the sweetest thing ever.

Farmhouse in May!

The farmhouse in May and October is beyond my wildest dreams. In the heat of the summer and the dead of the winter, the farmhouse holds little appeal, but in the first warm days of spring, when things are green and alive and beautiful it is just divine. We now have kids that are old enough to stay the night (woot woot!) and keep themselves somewhat entertained (woot woot x a million). So while they color and play in the dirt, E and I relax, read, snack on unhealthy things, and read and relax some more.

A favorite farmhouse tradition is lots of bikes rides (all four of us are on two wheelers!) and evening drives into the country.

 All the lilacs were at the hight of booming, and the entire town smelled of their sweet scent.

Our very favorite Spring City home has taken so well to the full renovation within the last five or so years. Back, before kids, E and I loved this home (still do) because of it's haunted history and derelict appearance. It was abandoned for years, and we were lucky enough to tour it twice. Now it's stunning and sitting on the most beautiful plot in all of Sanpete County.

Evening light that is gold! I saw it and Ethan pulled the car over quickly so we could catch this magical moment.

The cotton from the cottonwoods was heavy in the warm air, and catching little breezes it almost looked too pretty to be real.

 Oh farmhouse days, you're my favorite.