Backpacking

I was so excited to take the boys backpacking.  Robert has such fond memories of going with his family when he was growing up.  We love listening to his stories from the trips they took.  I had never gone before and Robert took me after we married.  I loved it.  Such a wonderful way to experience the outdoors, it gives you the opportunity to take in every little detail.  And it is such an awesome feeling to conquer a mountain!  We've hiked the same trail in New Mexico several times.  We even hiked it while I was pregnant with Asher.  Flooding had changed the trail so much and we could only recognize bits and pieces. 

Addison enjoys his cup of hot chocolate...love the smudge on his face.  Dirty camping boy!  Me cracking up because Asher picked up a stick leaned on it and said..."I'm Yoga"  (yoda)

the boys spent a good amount of time whittling sticks into spears.  Then practicing their aim...hoping that the local chip munk would stick his head out and we could have squirrel for dinner.  I love the little blessings you can find along a hike...like this little heart shape in the moss.  And Asher found this huge crystal rock...made his trip complete.  Addison enjoyed chopping wood with the axe and being the leader as we hiked.

as we were walking along the trail we would have to climb over large trees that had fallen down.  all the sudden we heard a loud crash, and just behind us a tree fell on the trail.  it was a little scary to think about how close we were to getting smushed!  The elk bugled during the night and that is an amazing sound!  We even inched our way along the edge of a drop off of about 30ft.  It was terrifying to watch my children stumble and slip....but we were so proud how brave they were.

The boys did such a good job, we were so proud of them.  They each carried about 15lbs.  and we hiked about 4 miles in and then 4 miles out in the rain.