Fall Camping in the Desert

Last weekend was our fall break.  We didn't have school Thursday or Friday so we took that opportunity to head down south for a fall camping trip.  We had gorgeous weather (with the exception of some wind Saturday afternoon).  Sometimes pictures do not do it justice and this is one of those times.

We took the kids to Goblin Valley and they had a blast!  It was hard to keep up with them.  The last time we were at Goblin Valley Abigail was only 1 year old and couldn't walk yet.  So, needless to say, she LOVED it!

The next day, we went on a 6-mile hike on Angel Point Trail.  The kids did awesome!

And we're off!

The trail was a combination of trail and rock.

Adam decided to join our photo.

We crossed the Dirty Devil River.

Shade!  Taking one last break before the last push up the trail.

Almost there...

We did it!!

 Our campsite had its own natural playground for the kids.

Here are the girls' bunk bed cots.  They were a hit!

Finally...

 Abigail's very good friend, Hailey, and her family moved to Wisconsin in July.  They were back for a visit and it was like the girls had never been apart.

 

Update Needed!

Well I was consistently updating the blog for a while there.  This is our family's digital journal, and it's what we love to look back on.  With so much to get caught up on, I'll get right to the photos.

We had some friends over for dinner one night.  We don't see them often but, when we do, it's so fun watching all the girls play together.  

hiking in Millcreek Canyon on a beautiful fall day

I love watching the girls explore.

Abby even walked around in the (cold) water.  This girl.  I'm still trying to figure her out!

A free puzzle in our teacher's lounge has turned out to be a huge hit with the girls.

just doing some exercises...

hangin' with friends at our Fall Festival...yes, Abby is wearing snow boots and no...it wasn't snowing.

We haven't seen many moose around this summer but, when we do, it never gets old.

Emma amazes me each and every day.  She decided to design and (help Andy) make her own stained glass.  Finished product to come...

We have had such an amazing and beautiful fall.  We take every chance we can to get out on hikes.

This girl and puddles...

Andy played in the No Name Saloon annual golf tournament with his 2 uncles (Jim and Rick) and a family friend (Bear).

We got our first snowfall...but it didn't last too long.

Emma loves having me pack her seaweed in her lunches.  This mama is not complaining.

We've had some chilly soccer games.

Proud mom moment right here...

I'm not kidding when I say the evening I ran my first half marathon Andy was asking me when I was going to do the next one.  In my head I'm thinking, "What?!" but my stubborn self got on the computer the next weekend and researched other half marathons in Park City.  There just so happened to be a half marathon on October 8th.  It was The Pink Series, which raises money and awareness for breast cancer.  My friend and running buddy, Amy, has been through it twice so we both signed up!  

It was a chilly morning at the start line--28 degrees!

 We felt amazing!!  (And we took 20 minutes off our time.)

fort-making time

Luckily, Emma's last day of soccer was a beautiful one!

Emma wanted to use some of the money she has saved up in her piggy bank to buy herself a cot for camping.  We ended up getting the kids' cots that can be made into bunk beds (picture to come).  She helped purchase the cots (online) and then we counted out enough money so she could pay for half.  She is so proud of herself (and Andy and I are two very proud parents).  

She was so excited about it that she wanted to sleep on it the night we got it.

Andy and I got out on a hike together.  It was a little windy but it was so fun to go on one of the hikes we used to always take Cooper on when we first moved to Park City.

It's pumpkin-picking time!

We had our annual pumpkin carving party last night.  It's always such a fun time!