Annie's Canyon & Home Alone 2

On December 27th, we hiked Annie's Canyon. I've seen pictures of the place and wanted to check it out. It was super crowded - largely with families we know from the Oceanside 4th Ward. We saw the Foulgers, Moffats, and Clarks there, as well as another family I've met through them. Pretty funny.

First up was this crazy toppled tree on which Ever would have liked to play all day. (She's in the hat toward the top.)

I wish I'd gotten more pictures up the canyon, but things got rough for a bit.  I had to get Tiny up, and Tutu needed a boost. Then Wrenzy started freaking out when she had to go up a giant ladder. She did great and got all the way up the ladder, but then she fully lost her mind and refused to go any farther, even though we were nearly at the top and the rest was easy. I stood off to the side on a little ledge with her while she cried. Eventually we made it to the top.

We realized that Ever wasn't with us. I figured she must have gone ahead and kept thinking we'd spot her as we headed down the hill, but we didn't. I was quite sure she was fine but became increasingly nervous. I texted Lauren Foulger and Rene Clark and asked if Ever were with them, but I didn't get a response right away. At the bottom of the hill, Wrenzy and Tiny did some log walking and tree climbing. 

I left them with Tutu and Papa and ran ahead to find Ever. Of course she was back at the toppled tree having the time of her life with all the friends.

Back at home, we had dinner and watched Home Alone 2. Wrenzy was intrigued but also terrified. She could only watch while peeking out from behind the island.

Agua Hedionda

The day after Christmas, we did a little hike on the Agua Hedionda Trail in Vista. In the morning before we left, Tiny donned the new dress she got for Christmas and sat down with some treasures in the middle of the kitchen floor to read to herself.

Once we hit the trail, Bear Bear took off running. She's way out ahead of Tutu and Papa here:

I took a ton of pictures of her running.

We stopped for some boulder climbing near the creek.

Papa challenged himself to jump up onto this big boulder. I was pleased that after several attempts, he managed to do it without falling backward down the cliff even once.

Tiny, trapped in the hiking backpack, took it all in.

Papa, Bear, and Ever playing mountain goat.

The biggers tried out their new sunglasses (briefly).

Tiny jumped into the frame while Zoza made a call on her walkie talkie.

Then Tiny got in on the running.

We found more rocks to climb but had to make it quick, as it was getting late. These girls would be happy to climb around on rocks all day.

Lovebirds in the afternoon light:

For much of the walk, Bear Bear was being Owlette from PJ Masks ("Amaya becomes ... Owlette!").  It really made her speedy. She was very cute running with her arms out.

It was nice to get outside. Pod made a comment at one point about how all the hikes here are the same, and it's true. The landscape is what it is. None of the trails in the area are spectacular, but they're better than nothing!