Battle Creek Falls Aug 2015

Amy invited us to go on a hike with her to Battle Creek Falls.  Sometimes I think she invites us because it would be too hard for her to do it alone with all her kiddos.  That and Sam thinks William is the coolest so he is always up for inviting us.  truthfully I don't really care either way.

This is a simple hike that all the kids can do with a rewarding waterfall at the end.  The day was warm and most of the kids were eager to be out.

Peter did complain the whole way up but once he got there he had a good time. Lucy took Peter's attitude toward hiking but miss Ellie is always there to help out the little princess.  We love our Ellie

Bridal Veil Falls in Autumn Oct 2014

My sister Amy and I decided to take advantage of these last days of fall to take a picnic up to Bridal Veil Falls and enjoy the last few golden moments before the leaves bid their final adieu.  The weather was perfect.  We let the kids bring their scooters so they could play around and ride up to the falls.  As we walked along the trail the air just shouted fall.  The crisp breeze, the sound of cool rushing water, and the smell of moist leaves and earth.  I do love this part of fall.  The kids had a great time running around, feeding the fish, climbing all over everything.  We purposely left at a time a little after lunch and then let them hike around so when it was time for lunch they would actually eat.  That way we didn't have to worry about them being too busy playing and then complaining they were hungry on the way home.  After a few years you learn how to plan this kind of stuff.  Its also works when you are going to restaurant with kids.  Don't! feed them before and don't let the server bring their food early or let them snack on too many appetizers.  If you take kids hungry they will eat at the restaurant instead  bothering everyone you sit next to.  We had some friends that didn't want to pay for a meal for their kids so they would feed them before.  I'm telling you its worth paying for a meal to have them eat and behave nicely.

 As we were walking along the trail Brennen came across this very UNexceptional tree and fell in love with it.  His exact words, "Oh look at this tree isn't it so beautiful!"  Oh my Brenny seeing the beauty in all things.  Don't let his demeanor fool you this kid is actually a deep thinker.  

It turned out to be a very relaxing outing.  I only wished I'd brought a book and then I could just soak up the sun with the sound of the river and my children's laughter in the background lull me into contentment.

Cascade Springs Oct 2014

As fall approaches I love to take drives up into the mountains.  It was a little early in the season still but I wanted to go to Cascade Springs just for the drive.  Although the colors weren't all there it was still beautiful.  I love that Scott drives so I can snap away and just marvel at this beautiful place we are blessed to live.  The temperatures were still quite warm so our hike around cascade was nice.  This time it was really busy. I felt like there were a ton of people on the trail, so much so that we could fully appreciate where we were.  Thankfully everyone was quite courteous when you were taking a picture I just felt like we didn't have any time to set up the pic.  I tried to get pictures with the kids but they were more interested in bugs they could find that cooperating with a picture.  After 14 years of parenthood I have learned to just get over it and keep the memory.