I have been trying to sit down to the computer for days but one way or another something or someone gets in my way. This afternoon was finally quite so here I am with pictures of our super fun weekend.

I have to start out by saying that last week as I drove around town, I saw so many boats and RVs pulling out for the weekend that I was simple discourage about our no-plan-weekend. You see, I’m a girl who just wants to have fun… so I am cheerfully reporting that we managed to have a very decent Memorial Day weekend without packing up and traveling somewhere.

Our first adventure on Saturday was a very small local canyon that not many people know of. I read about it in a climbing book and expressed some interest to the hubby about exploring it. We did a quick Google search on it and found out that it was a very nice hike worth trying out. We could even take our hike-loving dog (which is rare in these parts).

It didn’t take us long to fall head over heals with the place.

When I snapped this photo Jer said that he felt like he belonged in an REI magazine.

It was such a pleasant hike. It’s just a little trail that runs along a stream. It is gradual enough for the kids to keep up on along as we stop and throw rocks a little bit.

The bonus for us was the climbing walls we discovered. There are some awesome climbs, quick enough access (15 mins from the house with a 10 min hike (adult hiking pace)) and totally kid friendly, which is something we are always looking for. Loved it! We are definitely planning a climbing trip back there.

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Our next stop was Rock Canyon in Provo. We must have been bitten with the climbing bug because on Monday we begged our sister and brother in law to come along with us climbing. We were a bit insane thinking that we wanted to fight the crowds at the crags (there were tons of people up there) but I made sure to pick out a climb that required a bit of hiking. In fact, the trail that led up to the cliff looked sparsely traveled. We had our doubts about the accessibility with the kids in tow but after a bit of exploring we were trilled with the outcome. Completely secluded, perfectly shaded and totally kid friendly. We were over the moon happy.

This was our first outdoor climb of the season. We felt a little bit rusty but had a great time. I climbed with my camera because the view at the top is always so gorgeous and I wanted to capture the feeling of hanging from the top of a mountain.

This next shot was my best effort of trying to get the feeling of being so high above the trees. My lame camera focused on the trees instead of my face but I guess you get the idea.

If you look at this next picture you can see our secluded and lovely tree covered deck below. Can you see Jeremy belaying me? If not, I put notes on the photo at flickr.

Emma and Isaac almost always complain when we are going to go hiking or climbing. They’d rather stay home and play with friends. But ya know what… they were happy as clams playing in the trees. They informed me that they were secret spy agents on a mission and I wasn’t allowed to find their super secret fort. It’s a lovely feeling to watch them play in the dirt and rocks. It’s truly good quality playing and I believe that every kids needs time in the dirt.

Sticks can be anything imaginable. I think Emma’s is a gun or sword but as for Isaac’s…?  A super secret spy mustache?

Leah on the other hand had had enough of the dirt and rocks by the time I started my second accent. Even the blow pops we brought for bribery stopped working. By the time we packed up we were all dirty and exhausted.

We had a lovely time though and made sure to drive past the cemetery and show the kids all the flowers there. We talked to them about remembering our loved ones that have past on. Emma was touched and Isaac shot spider webs from his wrist.