Fernwood hike

On Tuesday after visiting we to lunch in Bountiful at.... you guessed it..... Cafe Rio.  We met Vance's parents there and had a great time.  Ethan and Aidan were excited to see them.  If you ask Ethan "Hey Ethan where does Grandma and Grandpa Hodo live?" He will say "Disneyland!"  It's pretty darn cute.

After lunch we headed back up to Layton and I took the family to a place I used to hang out a lot.  On the mountain there was a house we called "The Castle" I failed to actually take a picture of it, but it really looks like one with pointy roof tops all over.  I was more into the view that looked over the mountain side.  

This is in front of the Castle looking out towards Layton.  The road you see is called Antelope drive and it actually goes all the way out to that little Island in the far left called "Antelope Island".  Back in the day when I was like 13 or so a bunch of us including my brothers, my best friend Brooke, her brother and cousin and my cousin Russ, all rode from my house in Layton clear to that Island.  It was a total of 15 miles.  The ride to the point where we road across the water which is called "The Causeway" was 6 miles.  The remaining 9 miles was riding on the causeway and was EXTREMELY boring!! It NEVER ended and by the way if you don't know already Antelope Island gives off an insanely stinky fish smell.  I know I'm not helping Real Estate right now, but it can stink pretty bad.  We eventually made it there and home, but this picture is what I'm reminded of when I took it. 

This is a little more south looking at the Great Salt Lake. 

This was looking North towards Hill Air Force Base. 

Aidan ready to go on a hike.

Just past the castle there is a picnic/hiking area that is state owned which is called Fernwood.  So we took the kids on a little hike.  I haven't been here for a long time and they have cleaned it up immensely.

 

Ethan discovered these small purple butterflies and was obsessed over them. He caught quite a few of them. 

Only about 100 feet from the start of the trail was a small creek.  Naturally the boys flocked to it. 

Vance and I enjoying each others company. 

This is my boys heaven on Earth.  A small amount of water that they can throw as many rocks in as they want!!!  

They even threw rocks down the pipe that lead to a faster running river. 

Vance hanging out observing the curiosity of the boys.

Just enough water to put your feet in.

The stream coming down the mountain.

The stream continuing down the pipe.  Don't want anyone going down that.  

Me and my crazy Tator Bones taking a break with two hands full of rocks. 

Ethan exploring.

Ethan attempting to show me the butterfly he caught.

Aidan so gracefully pushing Ethan off the rock. Hmmm I wonder where he learned that Ethan. 

All I want for Christmas is sticks and rocks.  My boys Christmas List.

Lovely self portrait.

We now continue on the trail. 

There were a lot of beetles running along the trail.  Ethan says this is the Cranky Beetle.

Nasty Vance for picking it up.

Boys checking out the water below.

Heaven forbid Ethan take a picture. He was fighting it.

More butterflies.

Hold it steady Ethan.

He was impressed with himself.

Aidan and Vance being silly.

Pretty flowers along the way.

The way we came up.

Vance my not so shy husband needed to "tinkle" and went off the trail to do so.  I normally don't take pictures of my husband peeing, but when my 2 year old follows and rips down his pants and diaper to go pee is pretty dang funny and cute as well. 

A golf course way off in the distance.

I know I took a lot of pictures of Ethan and his butterfly, he was so happy with himself.  Plus lately with not wanting to take pictures I took advantage of it. 

The flowing river below the bridge.  

I forget how grand and wonderful the mountains are until I've been away from them for so long.  Just amazing to be so close to them.

After our hike we stopped back at my brother Davids house to hang out.  

Here I am with one of the twins.  He was so cute and cuddly.  

Me and my boys hanging out at Lara's before bedtime.   It was fun hanging out with family and staying at my sisters.  I love knowing how many people out there that love and care for us.  We love and care for them just as much.