One More Year!

When I started on this journey called motherhood, I never realized how hard it would be to let my kiddos grow up. And had you told me 14 years ago that I would cry at the thought of them leaving home, I would have laughed. Of course, that was in the thick of the diaper/temper tantrums/painting the carpet red stage of parenting. 

But now that I am past those early days of motherhood, I am finding the ones ahead to be equally as challenging, only in different ways.

We reached another of those stop and reflect milestones when Leah turned 15. She wanted to spend her birthday doing something fun, so we went camping to Hayes Lake. It happened to be Memorial Day weekend, and as we are often last minute planners, we failed to realize it would be a busy camping weekend. 

Needless to say, we ended up in the group campsite, as the site we planned to go to said it was reserved (of course no one came that night, as we found out the next day.)

We had a relatively mosquito-free trip (for Hayes that is) full of softball, fishing, canoeing, smores, and just plain getting away from the world and relaxing.

I'll have to post the rest of the pictures after I grab them from Steven's phone.

We went home and finished the celebration with cake, ice cream and presents.  Leah's favorite present was her cowboy boots. She now wants to be a rancher and own a billion horses to spite her parents who won't even get her one.

She also actually enjoyed going out to eat with her parents for her traditional birthday dinner.

Oh wait...(she really enjoyed those fries) 

Happy birthday Leah, you are amazing!

Southern Utah!

As we do each year, we made our trek out west to visit family in Utah and Idaho. 

First we went to some special cousins' weddings, both on the same day.

 

 

Then we set out for southern Utah

for what turned out to be a family reunion of sorts. 

On the way we couldn't help but climb the first bit of elevation we could find.

 

We then traveled down to Blanding to bring back some childhood memories for Steven and his siblings.  From there we headed to Natural Bridges, a favorite spot to hike for them in years past.

There was plenty of hiking, camping, splashing, laughing and cousins and red mud everywhere!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just in case you're wondering, taking my own self hiking 5 miles a day in 105 degree mountainous canyons with thick red mud is hard enough.  But doing it with a big bunch of littles is not easier -- it took some serious water, apples and granola bars to get us through!

 We found amazing arches, huge cliffs, Indian ruins, and our own private swimming hole.

I was too slow on the draw on this one - cute cousin Sam WAS looking at the camera for a second. 

 Aunt Canon and Elle from South Africa even came and made everyone even more sad they live so far away!

 

  And there was one really tan brother, and one not-so-tan macho brother from Roseau.

Alex supervised from up above -- or maybe he's getting ready to throw that water bottle at someone?

 And though you might not guess it, Olivia is a big fan of creeping things. 

She was SO very happy to have Alex catch this lizard for her to hold.

More awesome cousins 

and the three amigos! 

After another night in Blanding with an impromptu supper at the park in the dark, using a pallet for firewood, chili hot dogs, watermelon and ice cream cones with a stray dog who cleaned up the table when we were done.  If only you could have seen the spectacle we made.  Blanding just isn't the same without the Ericksons living there.

Next we moved into Canyonlands, finding this really cool Indian hieroglyphics wall on the way.



 There's something about kids and holes in rocks...

 and crevices.

 Another 3 mile hike

 with all kinds of cute cousins

 and princesses.

 

And then we moved on to Arches

 This place never ceases to amaze me.  It was another 105 degree day, and we were pretty worn out from the week of hiking.  Olivia and I started out on the hike to Delicate Arch, but after 1/2 mile she was done.  So we turned back and went to the lookout instead. Secretly I wasn't too upset.

The kids and cousins had the 'best time ever' and want to do the exact same thing again next year.

Cub Scout Day Camp

Ethan had a terrific time at Cub Scout day camp. Well, it would have been super terrific if his mom wouldn't have forgotten about it until after it started. 

First off was an obstacle course and three legged races. Apparently kids now-a-days think that you hop for three legged races, but they had fun anyway.

Next was the archery range. Ethan did great, even when it started sprinkling.

The boys all had a chance to plant a few Black Spruce trees amidst all the poison ivy.  And they all got a few from the DNR to bring home to plant also!

The much anticipated visit from the fire department left everyone much wetter than when they began, but they couldn't have had more fun. 

Next up were the water bottle rocket launchers. They could have done this one the rest of the day! Man, I was surprised how high they could make those things go!

The last part of the day was thwarted by a massive thunderstorm that dumped even more water than the firetruck! And the lightning was the final straw to call it quits for the day. But we arrived back home wet and happy. Ethan can't wait until next year.

 

Eli's Seven!

Well, despite the fact that Mom wrote 6 on Eli's cake when he was really 7, he was very forgiving.

It's just that I can't really believe he's 7 already!  It seems like yesterday he was 2.

But he is just too cute isn't he?

We celebrated with a 'party' at the park, complete with all the junk food he never gets the rest of the year; hot dogs, chips and juice boxes.  Dad made a fire and the kids threw the football, and made fun of Mom because I throw it like a girl.  Well, what do you expect?

Then we had cupcakes, ice cream and presents.

The next day, which was his real birthday we finished it off with another cake. 
He requested Wild Kratts, but this was what he got.  He thought it was fine - good thing he's only 7!

Love this bud.