Spring Break - the 2022 Edition

One of the perks of living relatively near Billings, MT, is easy access to the airport with its direct flights to Mesa, where my family lives.  Over the past couple of years the kids and I have taken advantage of this perk to fly there during Spring Break.  This year was filled with epic adventures with the fam, including a trip to the zoo, a viewing of the FABULOUS Van Gogh Immersive exhibit, a rocking Chris Tomlin/Hillsong United concert, antiquing with Kim and a rollicking time at a trampoline park.

Then we got even more exercise during our trips to Joshua Tree National Park (the kids 19th national park) and the arid Usery Mountains.

Of course the highlight of our trip was the time spent with our beloved family:  Jon, Kim, Cody, Lukie and Nathan:

 We can't thank my parents enough for hosting us - thanks for the cozy beds, fabulous food and great conversation.  

 

Spending time with you all is one of the best parts of the year!

Spring Fever

I don't know about you, but we sure are ready for some warm weather!  Spring in Wyoming this year has been inconsistent at best, with temps in the 70's one day and below zero the next.  We try to get outside on those good days.  A few weeks ago, Jordan and I headed up to the Tongue River Canyon for a 6.5 mile hike along the river to the back side of Steamboat.

 

Then last weekend the whole family headed out to some nearby state land to go shed hunting.  

 

 

It was a bit more chilly, but the views were beautiful. 

 

 

Thane and Jordan were especially on the lookout for critters.  We spotted a bunch of deer, a handful of antelope and several enormous jack rabbits.

 

 

 

Of course, there was a bit of friendly competition to see who would find the most sheds.  Annabel won this day with 2 white tail deer sheds.  

 

Freya is a loyal companion on all of our hikes. 

 She loves the great outdoors!

 

In typical fashion for this neck of the woods, we had several inches of snow with two days of intense wind that created bare ground literally within feet of 3+ foot snow drifts.  Warmer weather can't come soon enough!