Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Thanksgiving Point


I really wanted to do something earthy on earth day. I had visions of doing something to help out the planet, or raise awareness of some plaguing issue, or something like that. As usual, I didn't make it happen. Instead, Mae and I wore our earth day shirts (hers made from organic cotton "little tree hugger", mine from recycled coke bottles "rehash your trash") and we went to Thanksgiving Point. Every year Thanksgiving Point has a tulip festival, and I have to be there. I love it.

This year, because its been so cold, the tulips were late in coming out. They were only at 40% when we went, and it was almost the end of April! Of course it was still beautiful, and we had a fabulous time.

Even when there are no flowers, Thanksgiving Point is still stunning to me. I love the water feature, which I believe is the largest man made waterfall in the United States.


All of these next pictures might look the same to you, but I love each of them. I think they all show off different parts of Mae's personality.





If you ask Mae to smile, she will. But she also closes her eyes, like this.





We visited all of their individual gardens, but we had the best time in the Secret Garden, and had it almost all to ourselves (which is a miracle!)

Mae went in and out of the door about 17 million times.


We played for a long time in the water.






We also had to jump off of every high ledge there was. If you say "one," Mae will enthusiastically say "two" and then something that resembles "three/one/wee!" and jump right to you. She'll even jump right to you if you haven't said anything and aren't paying attention.


Jayson taught me a lot about my camera and taking pictures. I still have no idea what I'm doing.


Mae took a little spill when we were leaving. Even when she's mad, she's still the most adorable thing to me. Look at that face!

I tried my best to make her feel better...


But as usual, she didn't want me. She wanted this guy....



He has a way with her that I never will.




We had such a fantastic time. I loved this calm evening together amiss all of the recent craziness.

11 comments:

Sharalea said...

WOW.
Your camera is amazing & you guys are GREAT photographers!! The picture-journal from your day at Thanksgiving point is fabulous, I loved it! All of the expressions on Mae's face--they speak a thousand words, she is beautiful! You are looking gorgeous as usual, heidi!

buttercup said...

I love Thanksgiving Point. I used to take the kids all the time when they were littler. One year we even had a season pass. That was fun cause we could go to the gardens or the dinosaur museum or Farm Country! The kids always like to get an ice cream at their soda shop when we go. They used to have a sundae called the yellow submarine and it had 8 huge scoops of ice cream and we'd all share it--It was AWESOME! My favorite garden is the Secret Garden there. I need to plan a trip this summer when the flowers are in full bloom!

Your photos are awesome. I love the close-up of you & May near the end.

janae said...

Blast. I just commented but somehow blogger blipped and its gone. So if I write this twice, sorry! Samuel and I have always wanted to see the gardens at Thanksgiving Point, but now that we are leaving in less than two weeks, it looks like we won't get a chance. So, I'm living vicariously through your pictures. Thanks!

Ruth said...

What a beautiful family. I love the photos. Mae is a doll.

That Girl said...

Do you know I have never been to Thanksgiving Point? Do you know that that's ridiculous?

Your pictures are ... wow. That about sums it up. Can Jayson give me lessons someday?

And Heidi, you're gorgeous. Every time you look at your daughter and think about how beautiful she is, know this: she's got great genes.

Can we be neighbors someday?

Frankman's said...

Gorgeous! you look fantastic and Mae is adorable!!

Jolie said...

I'm glad that you guys got that nice evening to relax and be "one" with nature. The gardens are so beautiful, too! I'll have to check that place out next time we go to Utah.

And Mae is so so so adorable. All her little faces. ;-)

Sheli said...

LOVE all your pictures! Especially Mae's "smiley" face. That is an adorable baby girl. You look fantastic as well....keep it up. I guess I will see you in a couple of months when Amy gets to town.

austinamasandra said...

What a beautiful family and what a HOT mamma! You guys look great! I remember when you & I went, it's such a wonderful place!

darcie said...

Gorgeous pictures, Heidi! You look so awesome and Mae is the cutest! What a cute family you, Jayson and Mae are!

P.S. I love your hair and am jealous that I don't have your thick, long hair!

Kris and Kally said...

Love this post...all the pictures, flowers, tree hugging madness, etc... Your family is just the cutest!