We had an exciting and eventful Memorial Day. As I've said before we're trying to get out and discover more of Utah. On Monday we decided to officially initiate ourselves into Utah Valley and "hike the Y". I don't think you can say you live here and not have hiked it. We went with our good friends/neighbors the Short's and were intrigued to see what it was going to be like hiking with 5 kids up the side of a mountain. Their kids were champs and only grumbled here and their. Our normally hike-loving kids on the other hands were MISERABLE.
A big part of the problem is they weren't well rested and really should have been sleeping rather then hiking. After about 3 minutes of hiking Tavita started saying he was tired and needed to be carried. Finally about half way up I loaded Kalei onto the front carrier and Tavita hitched a ride on Juniors back. Brayden was great on the way up and he and Carson led the way the majority of the time.
On the way down they both started out strong which was great because Kalei zonked out in the backpack so they had no way of getting a ride. After about a 1/4 of the way down Tavita started saying he was tired and Brayden was complaining that his knees hurt (I'm really starting to wonder if he has knee problems, it's on my list of things to ask the doc at his next well check)
Long story short after a lot of tears and prodding along, Junior wound up with Kalei on his back and Tavita in his arms and I piggy backed Brayden (Though he insisted I set him don the last 50 yards so he could say he walked out). It had potential to be a lot of fun and I think we'll do it again when our kids aren't so tired. The next hike on our list is Timpanogas Caves which is longer and steeper and we've already informed the kids that's going to have to be postponed a few years until their a little stronger hikers. We're keeping our eyes out for more simple hikes.
As for me, I felt life coming full circle as I had a "I'm turning into my mom" moment. I remember growing up thinking my mom was such a killjoy for always telling us not to go so close to the edge. We'd be standing there enjoying ourselves only to have our mom steer us away. I've jumped from planes, cliffs of all heights, buildings etc, but my heart would not stop pounding watching our kids meander as they walked along the switchbacks. They'd be running around having fun and my heart would bottom out as I yelled, "Get away from the edge NOW." and as they were having fun racing down the mountain I was yelling "When you run downhill, you don't stop, NO RUNNING." I kept laughing at myself in disbelief because I truly sounded JUST like my mom. Amazing how much more understanding and appreciative we become of our moms as we go through the same things they did.
The kids rearing to go (Brayden, Carson, Emma, Tavita)
Best Buds helping each other along
Daddy and LeiLei trucking along
Jandy bringing up the two little ones (The advantages of being the photographer...note I had NO kids)
The whole crew with the "Y" in the background
Tavita once again used Daddy as a salt lick!
The moms and the kiddos relishing in the fact that we MADE IT!!!
Carson has developed a fetish with "bunny ears" and Brayden is becoming an eager student.
LOVED the view, gave me a whole new perspective of Provo. I have to admit, it is kind of pretty! Plus, look how high we hiked, no wonder the kids were whining
Oh the trouble these 4 rascals have conglomerated on!
We are now 3/3 in having this exact pic. That pack must be comfy because they all fall asleep in it.
After the hike the boys came home and napped (both were asleep within 5 minutes of being home) while Junior did some yard work and I did some cooking for our cul-de-sac BBQ. It was a lot of fun. We blocked the circle of, pulled out a couple grills, everyone grilled their own meat and brought sides to share. We sat out, let the kids run wild while we gabbed until it got dark. After living in a cul-de-sac I can't imagine living anywhere else (if nothing for our kids safety, they know NOTHING of street caution). I think it's going to have to be a requirement for all future houses!
Sidenote, FINALLY was warm enough(a whole 70 degrees) to bust out the summer stuff. The boys were so excited they instantly jumped into their suits, sprayed on the sunscreen and begged to fill the pool.
I had to boil a few HUGE pots of water to mix in so it took the edge of the iciness but they had fun none the less.
