Backpacking Adventure

Our family before heading up the trail up to Ibantik Lake in the Uinta Mountains.  This is not my favorite way to camp, but I wanted to be a good sport and go along.

On the trail.  The kidlets are amazing hikers and campers but this was their first time backpacking.  Sometimes I wondered if we were crazy taking 3 kids under the age of 10 with them all carrying at least some of their weight.  But at dinner time tonight I asked if they'd want to do it again and they all said, "Yes!"  I'd call it a success.

Da girls

Learning to use the water filter

The campsite we got was awesome and even came with a herd of mountain goats.  This was very cool.

The mountain goats grazed about 15 yards away from us while we filtered more water.  

Happy hiker!  Even with a head wound the day before and several scrapes while on this hike.  This is going to be one great scout!!

This little lady had probably between 12-15 pounds on her back.  She did awesome!

About a mile before we got to the cars it started to rain heavily and hail so we did not get an after picture of us all drenched and ready to get out of there.  It was actually pretty scary as the thunder and lightening cracked literally right over our heads a couple times.  Little bug had nightmares that night and came and snuggled me.  We're sure the storm was the main cause--poor little thing.  But she's still looking forward to next time.  On the way home we stopped by a yummy diner and had shakes & a bite to eat.  It hit the spot!

Project Reveal!

So, since moving in last August we have had project upon project here.  Literally several BIG, giant projects going on at the same time.  Finally we have (almost) finished one of our multi-task projects!  We just need mulch, which we may wait to do until next spring so I have to post this now in case we wait.  That way you won't think we're just lounging around here.  

Our south side-yard looked like this when we moved in:

It was a jungle!  Only imagine this being weeds--not so pretty, right?  No fault of the previous owners because our loan couldn't go through as quickly as we both wanted.  

Fast forward:

This spring we put in this retaining wall and started the path to the concrete pad.  I only wish I'd done a true before picture so we could have a greater sense of all the work it took to pull this project off!

My first real garden planted!  Tomatoes, 3 kinds of peppers, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots and zucchini.  All are doing very well and I'm excited I can actually, kinda sorta grow something!

And........drumroll...........

TA-DA!!

We started with pulling out weeds (which took up this entire space and were at least waist high), put the black finisher around the grass to outline it and make a definitive divider, built the stone raised garden wall, planted the garden, put down the stone pathway and built this shed!!  This project was A TON of work and we are very happy with the results!  And next spring even more happy with the dirt around the pathway mulched.  

Now you know how one of the several big projects turned out!  More to come as we finish them!  The end results make them worth it (at least, hopefully!)

It's the 4th of July!

Hanging out after a BBQ and before the Eaglewood fireworks.  Getting dark!

Pictures are fun while waiting for the show

Awww, we're red, white and blue!

Getting goofy while waiting.

Slip and sliding down the hill

Whee!!

96 degrees + water = fun July day

About the 20th time

This little even braved the slide after a couple times holding my hand

Little miss was a bit cautious today

Too much fun!!

Double slide

Little Miss Birthday Girl!

We hosted a water party for little bug's friend birthday party! 

 (I cheated, we did do slip and slide, but this photo is actually from a different day)

We made a water slide

We warmed up in the sun

We put fishies on buckets to take home

Isn't she the cutest?!

We played "Wet Rover, Wet Rover"

Let Bug-a-boo come over!  (this was not a favorite game)

We played the sponge game (this was a favorite) 

I've been curious about cake pops so made some with fresh strawberries for the cake

The cake pops were yummy and SO easy to serve to the littles!  But, hard to get a candle in the chocolate covering so the birthday girl held the candle to blow it out.  

We also opened presents, tossed water balloons, handed out water guns and searched for shells at the "beach".  All in all every kid loves a birthday party, whether it's their own or not.

And we absolutely love, love, love our little cutie pie.  Five years with her has just flown by and she has a very caring and giving personality and a giggle that melts us all to pieces.