Birthday Getaway

This afternoon we returned from a remarkable weekend just over the Idaho border at the Malad Summit Guard Station. Chris orchestrated the entire weekend down to the smallest thoughtful details: planning and shopping for meals, sneaking the few gifts that arrived by mail into the car, packing all we needed except Finn's clothes and my clothes, and keeping all plans a complete secret until we pulled up to the gate leading to the cabin. I was pleasantly surprised by a weekend getaway to a rustic cabin (just Chris, Finn, Hudson and I).




























Chris and Finn warming their hands by the "Hot" fire.


We had a memorable time taking frosty morning walks with Finn to hunt down the "water". The creek ran along both sides of the cabin and through the surrounding riparian areas. Finn couldn't get enough of it, constantly asking to go outside to see the "water, water...". If it was up to Finn, we'd have spent the entire weekend walking along the creek or running through the grass.
-Lucky me, even the traditional carrot cake!

We spent a few hours Saturday hiking the Indian Mill Trail. The wind had a chilly bite when it wasn't countered by the sun. There were sections of snow and mud and water to cross and all and all, it was beautiful to be out together.
I couldn't have asked for a more perfect birthday celebration!

Fall Leaves

Even though there are still a good number of leaves in the trees, it is that time of year to begin to rake, rake, rake (before the snow falls).

Finn got to come to work with me for the morning - for the Realms annual Leafathon fundraiser
















Using his new skills learned at the Leafathon, here's Finn raking at home with Daddy









..............................
and undoing the raking by jumping into the piles












Good Times!