Snow Today, Gone Tomorrow

It was officially one of the warmest Februarys on record here, and March was turning out much the same, until it snowed today.  :(  I think because it is spring break!

Anyway, looking back at sunnier times, the farmer decided to sell the field behind our house, and the developers are building a road soon to be filled with more houses.  While we're a little apprehensive about the encroachment on our space and view, the kids have been enjoying watching the construction just over the fence.

And of course we go for a closer look on our evening walks.

We also broke out the hiking backpack for our annual trip to Cress Creek Trail. It's not the most exciting hike, but it's a good one to warm up for the season since it's close to home and pretty easy.  Owen hiked the whole thing and has already planned many more hikes for the summer.  

At a little more than the halfway point, there's the option for going up to the top of the hills via a steep trail.  We've done this back when O was in the backpack, but the backpack was nearly flat while the carrier was on all fours in the loose gravel, so the boys veered off and made it to the top...

while I took over the backpack and found a good snacking spot for Hadley.  Did I mention that the way to her heart is snacks?  Just like her brother!

See?  Energized again post-snack to finish off the hike!

Another cool place that we spent an afternoon is the sand dunes about 10 minutes from our house.  The kids loved it!  We brought some sandbox toys and just let them have at it for a couple of hours.  (We even loaded up some sand to refill our own sandbox.  Don't worry - it's legal!)

Here's Owen making the steep ascent to the top, and Hadley wondering if she can get up there, too.

I actually went up top myself this time, and my glutes were burning!  This is looking back down to our "base camp" and Hadley is about halfway up.

Once we made it up, it was a vast expanse of nearly pristine sand!  The kids were in heaven.  It's kind of random that this exists just outside of our town, but I guess it has to do with the wind we get.  Also, see the horses in the upper left?  It's adjacent to the horse track.  Also random.  Anyway, if we have another wind-less sunny day, we might be back here!

Lastly, another funny picture from our rubber-faced boy.  The greenbelt has some artistic benches, and the kids hopped up here, half-expecting to pedal off into the sunset.  C'mon summer!  Can't wait!