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quick update. we’re back. over all, the trip was great. we love canyons. makes us want to move to utah.

camping was great. we stayed at valley of fire at a walk in site just under a hundred yards in. pictures coming soon. decided not to go to zion since we didn’t get to vof until late monday night and getting everything set up with the girls was a tad stressful (30-40 mph winds). explored the park all day tuesday. e loved climbing on the rocks and exploring the little caves. fi slept most of the time, riding in the sling. no sunburns!

wedding was very nice. we are happy the aunt karen is now officially an aunt. the girls had a wonderful time visiting with relatives. ella also had fun playing w/ cousin chelsea. had fun swimming in the pool. thought about going to red rocks for a day hike on sunday, but opted for rest before our day of travel home.

so, morning we were to fly out, i was leaning over to pick something up off the floor, and bumped the floor lamp. glass table attachment of the lamp shattered and i ended up with lots of small glass cuts on my leg and arm…and a 3 inch laceration right under my left butt cheek. hurrah! 3 hrs before we were supposed to fly out, i was in the las vegas ER getting 15 stitches (6 subdermal, 9 dermal). big bummer, but at least it wasn’t one of the girls. er doc said i should still be able to run and swim, but should take a break from biking, yoga, and hiking for at least a couple weeks.

pictures soon! [update: here they are! the Las Vegas trip pictures]

autumn here, well, its april and i’ve been slacking in my monthly report of how the girls are doing. typing one handed here, since fi is nursing.

fiona is growing up so fast. sitting up w/o assistance, pushing herself around on the floor pre-crawling, and expresing strong opinions about what she likes and doesn’t like. she is ticklish and full of smiles and laughter. she is sleeping pretty well, nursing a few times a night. she continues to adore her older sister, and is also developing an interest in the pets. she has gone on her first burley rides and really seems to enjoy it. no new teeth besides the first two, but maybe soon…

ella has been being very helpful, being better about cleaning up after games and projects. sometimes she still say ‘no, you do it!’, but we’re working through the bossy edge of the 3rd year. yesterday she helped plant seeds in the garden, as well as starting some lima bean seeds indoors in a container. she still devours books, but really loves being outside (that’s our girl!). ella is just getting over a case of impetigo. not sure where she picked it up, but it has not been any fun. she has been very cooperative through daily face washings and applications of tea tree oil and antibiotic cream (her first use of antibiotics in her whole life).

as bill posted, we’re trying to get out for more rides this year. bill has been biking to work a bit, and who can blame him…it has been beautiful here lately. cool and sunny, just right for biking. he has also been busy designing websites for two of the organic farms we frequent. i’m training for a mini-triathlon. i’ll be doing the brewhouse short course aug. 1st. i’m training as though i care about my finishing time, but really i just want to finish without collapsing. april so far i’ve logged 42.75 miles biking, 9.39 miles running, and 3 miles swimming. i’m hoping to double the training i did in march, and a, pretty close, since i only did 26.60 miles biking, 31.74 miles running (which last month included almost equal parts running and walking), and 3.25 miles in the pool last month. i’m sneaking in the swims by getting up at 6am while the girls are still sleeping. i run after bill gets home from work, or go with the girls in the double jogging stroller. all my biking so far has also been with the girls in the burley trailer. they get sunshine and fresh air (and often a nap) while i get some much needed aerobic work.

we’re also still busy with house and yard work, gardening, api, farms, and planning trips (including our trip to las vegas for uncle mike’s wedding!!! just 2 weeks now!). its going to be a fun but busy year!

I’m just doing the biking part myself, finally back on the bike commuting to work fairly regularly. Getting the bum and legs back in shape. The MB4 is still chugging along just fine, 13 years and counting.

Autumn, on the other hand, is serious, getting ready for a short triathalon. She found a nice training regimen and is making great progress only two weeks in to ‘official’ training.