Through the Woods and over the Mountains...

...a hiking we will go!

I really wanted to get outside this Summer and check out the beauty we have right in our own backyard. Since I have gotten really out of shape and pretty overweight, I knew we had to start out easy. So I called up my sister since she has lots of little ones with very short legs and thought they might be at about my hiking level. My sister Julie, is a hiking beast and has hiked the likes of Half Dome and Timpanogos...but lucky for me she has recently had a baby that she now has to pack. So on Monday, we tackled Battle Creek Falls for our first hike. It was just perfect! It was a hot day and the falls were a nice reward.

 All good hikes require a proper walking stick!

 Wish I could hike in such style (Sinjin & Julie)

 Some of our hikers - Zachary, Julie, Braxton & Brooklynn

 The kids found a fun little cave to crawl into

(L-R: Braxton, Ivy, Zachary, McKenna & Brooklynn)

 

 Finally the falls...it was so cool and misty, very refreshing

 

The beautiful view from the top

A little photo op on the bridge on the way back down 

(L-R: McKenna, Ivy, Brooklynn, Braxton & Zachary)

Thursday we drove up Provo canyon and attempted to find Buffalo Peak. It was a slow start as we took the wrong trail initially and had to head up a little higher to find the trail-head. But boy, was it worth it! It was a pretty short hike but the last 1/2 is straight up so that was a little grueling, but once you got to the top, the views were stunning! And the scenery the whole way was just beautiful. It was so nice to be out in nature and enjoying all that God has created. The kids did fantastic! We took Harley this time and he was a trooper as well. I can't wait to go again! And, it has been so fun to hike with Julie and her kids too.

 Most of our hikers...on the right trail

 

We saw some wildlife along the way. If you look really hard you can spot the head of a wild turky. Ok, maybe not, but I promise it is there. There were a few but I was near the end of our group and they had mostly run away by the time I got up there. We also spotted a deer and a bunny, lots of butterflies and tons of insects.

Beautiful meadows and flowers...EVERYWHERE!

 

 McKenna and Ivy picked some flowers and made a little bouquet for the next group to pass by.

We finally made it to the top

Some of the spectacular views from the top. 360 degrees of mountains, meadows, Utah Lake and the city below. 

This little pup was pretty pooped by the time we got home

Spring Break 2014!

Backyard Campfire

While my parents were in town last month we wanted to head out to the middle of nowhere for foil dinners, shooting, gazing at the stars and S'mores. However, the weather looked as though it wasn't going to cooperate for the day we picked. So we improvised and set up camp in my backyard. The boys all went shooting earlier in the afternoon and then we met back at my house later. The weather turned out all right but with the weather we've been having lately (4 inches of snow of May 24th!!) we just couldn't count on it.

Our pool spot made the perfect place to have a campfire...aka...Weber Grill.
(Julie, McKenna, Lauren, Brooklynn, Tyler and Quintin)

Brooklynn and Zachary enjoying their S'Mores.

Grandma and Uncle Bob played hoops with the kids.

Later, Chris and Grandma checked out the telescope...

...while these folks told ghost stories!

I thought that it was pretty fun given that we had all the elements of an evening outdoors while enjoying the luxuries of home. And, luckily, none of my neighbors called 911.