16!

 Our dearest Hershel Bershel Bear turned 16!  It's hard to believe that my sweetest baby is truly a young man.  Hersh is kind, smart, responsible, playful, hardworking, hungry, a true mentsch.  He is a delight to be with, and is all of our best friend.  His birthday hosted a slough of events--a BBYO Brotherhood bonfire, an Aplebaum Birthday Boys dinner, an evening at Red Maple, presents, cards and the #16 in balloons, even though Jacob tried his mathematical best to derail this effort.  This upcoming weekend we have Lu's spring concert and will see Book of Mormon as the final birthday event. Lu got braces--an official sign of being a teenager! As we enter May, the end of the school year looms, summer and the pool will be here so soon, and I just love love love these kids.

Grand Canyon/Zion/Bryce

 A memorable, epic, awe-inspiring trip--we flew to AZ and drove to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, then drove through Navajo Country and saw dinosaur tracks, Jacob ate a red pickle, we swung by Horseshoe Bend.  Onward to Zion--full of canyons and caves, the brighest night sky, an incredible bookshelf, rockshop and the Ungame/night time stories read by Hersh. Next was Bryce which featured my favorite hike of the trip--the conclusion being Wall Street.  Ending up in Brian Head for a late Spring ski day.  There was room sharing, snack sharing, giggling, helping, reading, hugging, hiking, and all the family love.  Sunsets and endless vistas, rock walls of every color, ancient stones, incredible hikes and the recognition by all that this is something we will all remember forever.  Fueled by core power and cool ranch doritoes, and thank goodness for my reused Starbucks cup.   To say the kids are experienced, flexible, hearty travelers would be an understatement.  Everyday is a gift, every new experience richer because we are together.