Utah Autumn

We love living in Utah for fall! I tend to get a little panicky around autumn because in the past, we've only lived in whatever state we're in for 2-3 years. Fall is my favorite season and it's fleeting as it is, so knowing that I'm only going to get a few chances to soak it in has me feeling like we need to go explore ALL the leaves in ALL the nearby places. Washington was especially gorgeous in the fall, and I didn't get to enjoy as many PNW autumns as I would have liked. But we're here in beautiful Utah now, and I'm reminding myself that we are here for the long haul so I don't have to drive up every single canyon to see every single leaf changing. But it won't stop me from hitting a few of the greats. 

Over the weekend we drove through Big Cottonwood Canyon to do a little family hike around Silver Lake. What an experience! I don't think I've driven up Big Cottonwood Canyon...ever? before this? Which is shocking but of course it was so lovely. The leaves were perfect. The little .9-mile hike along the boardwalk going around the lake was amazing with kids. 10/10, would recommend.

Because Alice is skipping her nap so frequently lately, I don't have much else to report. Free time is fleeting. If I ever happen to find extra time I usually spend it mulling over which of our pictures to put on what walls in our next house. Something that feels fun but also somewhat productive. Speaking of our house, they started putting sheetrock up! Now the rooms are really starting to take shape. And now for some pictures from our week:

^^My little jaunt up American Fork canyon on Saturday morning. This is my ideal way to spend a morning.

^^Alice got her hair cut last Wednesday. She did really great holding still through the whole trim--three months ago when she got her first haircut she couldn't do that. It's wild how much she's grown developmentally in just 3 months. After her haircut we went to the park to play with cousin Aspen. Not only were the girls matching in pink dresses and silver shoes, but it turns out Aspen tried to cut her own hair that morning and then needed an emergency haircut as well. They were both darling with their short hair. 

^^More fall hikes, near Three Falls in Alpine.

^^This is how naps are going lately. Alice naps maybe twice a week now, but on the other days she is SO grumpy all afternoon, so we keep attempting the daily nap anyway. It's usually pretty clear if she's not going to fall asleep, and then we abandon and attempt some quiet play time downstairs. 

^^She packed lime juice for a picnic, and after taking several swigs from the bottle she told me it was "great."

^^The drive down Guardsman Pass after visiting Silver Lake. I took lots of pictures at the lake on my DSLR camera. I will get those uploaded and post them next week. I hoped to get them uploaded during naptime, but alas, no nap. Maybe tomorrow!