birthday climb

It was about 9 years ago, just before my 30th birthday(holy cow!), that I last climbed this beautiful mountain that looms in the skyline of our town. As my birthday surprise Mr. Bejos hired a sitter and we hit the trail to do it once again, this time together.
It is a deceiving climb. The mileage is not impressive, per say, and the first 3.5 miles aren't too bad. But then the rocky scrambling begins and the two false summits dash one's dream of finally reaching the top.  I was ready to give up, almost, but not quite hoping that the clouds moving in would bring down the rain and we could turn around and call it a day. Oh how glad I am that it did not rain and that we pushed on to the top. The views were stunning.

Almost sweeter than the ascent was the post-hike beer and removal of hiking boots. Thanks Mr. Bejos :)

in the woods

A common past time of our previous (before kids) lives, was hiking. We got out, most weekends, for one or more really good hikes. A good hike used to be defined somewhere within the 8-10 mile range, 4-6 if we were feeling a bit lazy.

These days a good hike is in the 1-3 mile range because of those shorties we share our lives with. The biggest boy is a trooper and will peter out at about 3 miles, which is not bad at all. We are thrilled with the simple fact that he enjoys the outdoors as much as we do, and that he has some considerable stamina for his age and size. The littlest guy still doesn't have much of a choice, being strapped to us or in the stroller, whether he likes it or not.

Today, Mr. Bejos secretly arranged for a sitter and chose a trail that we had not yet set foot upon. We covered over 8 miles, yes that's right, over 8 miles, in just a short 2.5 hours. Paired with a beautiful spring day it was perhaps the very best outdoor day that we have had in a very long time. We were sweaty, tired, and felt like we had accomplished something. Oh how we miss that feeling, and how good it is to be reacquainted with the subtle aches and stiffness that comes with the feeling of properly challenging your body outside of the walls of a gym.

6 years

This is the best we can do these days, getting both of us in a shot. 

Happy anniversary.

5 years

April 5th was our 5th wedding anniversary.
As second time parents we bravely left baby for a quick lunch date.

my gardener

Earlier this summer, on a day devoted to yard work during bejos boy's nap, mr. bejos and I went our separate ways to tackle projects. I stumbled upon him weeding my herb garden telling me how good gardening was "for the chi". Of course his good chi was ripping out my baby zinnias, all except for one lone survivor.
This single pink bloom.

date night

Taking full advantage of the very generous offers of childcare while with family in NY, Mr. Bejos and I finally got to the movie theater to see Moonrise Kingdom. It was a cute film in typical Wes Anderson fashion.
The best part was that we had the entire theater to ourselves...for real! Of course there is only about 25 seats in theater 3, and the film began 10 minutes late because, we assume, they must have forgotten that they sold any tickets. The funny thing was that the computer system wouldn't allow the young cashier to sell us tickets early because the theater was being "cleaned". But when we arrived to our private screening room there was no evidence of any cleaning crew having been though this particular theater in a few screenings. Small town movie theaters. What can you do?
Mr. Bejos was kind enough to shoot some footage

We passed the time with phone pics

Reboot

Mr. bejos and I hit the trail recently for the first backpacking trip that we have been on since bejos boy came into our lives. Thank you mama and papa bejos!! After much debating we finally settled on a trail. We knew we wanted a not-to-long trail, water, and warmer weather to avoid the situation we had last time we tented. Have you noticed the patterns of decision making difficulties that we have endured around these parts recently...jees, make up your mind already bejos clan.

It started out a very hot and dry hike, but we knew that there was water just a mere 4 miles down the trail. 

And the oasis below made it well worth the trip.

A good dose of dis-connecting, sweating in the desert heat, and swimming in the hidden gems of Arizona wilderness make mr. and mrs. bejos happy people.

Birthday Outing

After a day of hiking in the warm high desert with Cooper

and a beer

 mr bejos had his first trip to a teppan yaki bar.

Pasta delight

For  Christmas mr. bejos got this lovely shiny pasta maker from yours truly. 

 

nom, nom, nom