Moved in and back to our hiking escapades

Ferguson Canyon - our new favorite trail.

After assembling a new kitchen table and waiting a month for a couch to arrive, we finally feel more settled in our new place in Cottonwood Heights. The move was a great opportunity to unpack and use some 3-year-old wedding gifts, read and try some decorating advice from Alvin's sister's blog, and let Miles graduate to sleeping in his own bedroom.

Things I love about our new home:

• a ward with lots of young families like us
• proximity to Big Cottonwood Canyon (I stuff Miles in the backpack and go hiking a couple mornings a week)
• we don't have to do yardwork! But we smile and wave at the grounds crew everyday when they drive around in their golf carts.
• the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center. It has 5 swimming pools and a couple acceptable yoga instructors. I don't think anyone can compare to the yoga instructor at our old gym; she was unsurpassably amazing.

Things Miles loves about this area:

• ~ climbing in parked golf carts
• ~ pointing at robins on the lawn and in trees
• ~ parks with swings
• ~ a neighbor who is only 30 minutes younger than him (but she can already touch her nose, eyes, and mouth and give kisses)

Things Alvin loves about this area:

• the beautiful mansions in nearby neighborhoods
• the freeway entrance is 2 minutes away, so his work is 10 minutes closer
• a new friend who shares his last name and hair color
• the plethora of pinecones on our sidewalks, which are useful for throwing at the basketball hoop, which greatly amuses Miles

P.S. We also recently hiked Notch Peak near Delta, Utah, heard Peter Breiholt perform at the Brigham Young park, and went to Ashley Ross's wedding. My highschool friend is now Mrs. Jason Eldredge.

Miles with cousins Mallory, Avery, and Sophia (aren't her natural ringlets precious?)

Miles in his element

Little Cottonwood Creek Floods

The Little Cottonwood creek reached record highs this spring due to a cool, rainy May and a couple hot days in June. It flooded several houses and parks in Murray and took out a trail bridge in Little Cottonwood canyon. We spent Family Night checking out the raging, chocolatey water.

Imagine the "thunk, thunk, thunk" of huge granite boulders clonking into each other beneath the watery torrent above. I held Miles' hand very tightly while we walked along the trail.

We're moving!

As you may know, we have been living in my mother's house with my sisters, Amber and Jeni. Three weeks ago my mom emailed us and said, "Clean up the house because I'm having a realtor come to take pictures tomorrow." She has been known to give sudden, dramatic announcements. Two weeks later, after a dozen showings (for each one I had to tidy up the house, collect myself and Miles, and leave the grounds for an hour), two buyers made offers, my mom accepted, and the deal will close April 27.

Now I have inserted the following into my already-busy daily routine: apartment hunting, throwing away old papers, packing, slating items for DI, and trying to talk Alvin out of saving the items slated for DI. Fortunately, as of yesterday, I can cross off apartment hunting from my list. We found a lovely 2-bedroom near Big Cottonwood Canyon. We're excited to move because we can ditch my sister's pets, Alvin's commute to work will be quick, we will be minutes away from hiking trailheads, and the Whole Foods store is within walking distance.

But what should I do with our big piano?

This is what Miles does at Oma & Papa's house

Who taught him to rock out like this? It's a mystery.

Do I fit?

Miles likes to explore spaces, especially spaces that are about his size. When he climbs into a new place, like a yellow box or magazine rack or the shelf in our bed headboard, he examines how snugly his legs fit inside, then turns to his audience with a big "Look at me!" grin.

More Scenes from Paradise

This is our happy family at the top of Waimea Canyon, safely avoiding the giant tsunami (which amounted to 3 series of 2-3 inch waves). The clouds are shrouding the Na Pali Coast.

Miles' new swim trunks are still a little big.

Laura, Miles, Alvin, Amber, Jeni (my sisters), Jim (my current dad)

Sand legs built by Alvin.

A Buddhist temple on Oahu. The grounds were serene and beautiful.

Miles can't waddle over the edge of the cliff when he is strapped in the mei tai. These clouds floated up the cliff and drifted across our trail along the whole hike. This was my favorite adventure in Hawaii - the Waimea Canyon/Na Pali Coast overlook hike.

Pineapple at the Dole Plantation (I slept and recovered from jet lag while Alvin drove his Mustang convertible around Oahu and visited the plantation); bamboo graffiti; one of the abundant feral roosters; carniverous rooster-eating fern of Kauai

Ringing the gong before entering the Buddhist temple is said to bring peace and serenity. I think it worked.

Aloha

20-40 foot (depending on how many times Alvin has recounted the story) waves at Queen's Bath

Surf's up! If you go to Kauai, you should stay at the Kiahuna Plantation condos in Poipu. Isn't our backyard beautiful?

Yeah, winter in Hawaii isn't ideal for swimming.

Near Tunnels Beach. Our last day, sigh. (That's sigh of relief for me. It was amazing to see a new place, and an exotic one at that, but I am devoted to my simple, predictable daily routine at home in South Jordan.)

The lighthouse near Princeville. Refuge to thousands of migratory sea birds that nest on the cliffs.