Easter Hike

I do believe for the past 4 years Rich and I have participated in our ward Easter Hike. We hike up telegraph pass. The only problem is that until this year, Rich has never made it to the top. One year I was pregnant and didn't want to finish the hike. Another year Ryann was too small and we didn't have a carrier for her. Another year we just didn't have enough time... but this year... WE MADE IT!

Even Pegasus made it... he spent most of the hike on my back in Ryann's backpack... that was too heavy for her to carry all the way.

There was some hand holding, and holding (of cara), and some coaching along the way, but the girls did wonderful. We had some help from some great friends as well. Here is Cara with her favorite person, Jason. Remember how much she loves Jason because he is cute and awesome???

Proof that we made it to the top.

I sure love my little family.

I also love this time of year in Arizona. I couldn't ask for better weather and the most glorious place to be able to exercise out doors for every day of the year.

My Loves

How did I get so lucky?

Rain!?

Yes, there was rain in Phoenix this weekend. The girls convinced us to take them hiking so out we went. Ryann snagged Cara's rainboots (Ryann left her's at a friends) so that she could jump in puddles.

Cara quickly found out it wasn't as much fun to jump in puddles without your rainboots.

She walked around for 10 minutes holding up her pants like this. Pretty cute little Nugget.

Hiking With Grandpa

Only my dad would come to Arizona, see a mountain with NO TRAILS and decide to take his 5 year old granddaughter to the very tippy top of it. (approx 4 miles)

She had a blast. When she got home 3 hours later she was stinky and begging for a nap. She dumped out a backpack full of pretty flowers and special treasures (rocks- go figure)

Thank you so much dad for helping instill a sense of adventure, outdoor fun, and sweet bonding with your granddaughter.

We love you more than words.

Hiking in Pictures

Yesterday we headed down for some major hiking in Tucson to celebrate my cousin's birthday. We were watching some friend's kids so we brought them with us. It was fun and exhausting and there weren't many major melt downs.

I love Cara's hair in the picture above. She was mid jump.

Everyone was very interested in uncle Bob and looking at his pictures.

Cara had a lot of the hike in style- on my back.

And finally the real reason we went hiking. To spend time with my aunt, uncle and cousin. It was a great day and we celebrated by having root beer floats after. Delicious.

Thanks for a great day!!

Hiking Boots

So I bought these hiking boots for $16 at big 5 about 4 (?) months ago. I figure that was approximately $1 a week to be able to hike every day, stay in shape, and do something I love. Way cheaper than a gym membership. That is like 20 cents a day (I mostly hike 5 days a week)

I was not sad to throw them in the garbage this morning and start fresh with a $19 pair of boots.

I will let you know how long these new ones last me. I can already tell that the sole is a lot thicker. There isn't as good as ankle support as these old boots, but I ran all the way down the mountain this morning and made it in record time.

So long $16 boots.