fall hike #4 - october 4

It had been years since Justin and I hiked Lake Blanche. The last time is when Corbin and Taylor were little boys, and I was possibly pregnant with Levi. I remember it being gorgeous and I remember my knees hurting coming back and that Justin carried both boys a lot of the way back. He's amazing. 

I'm not sure what made me decide to go back this year, except that I love Big Cottonwood and I remember loving that hike. Justin took a day off and we left right after the kids left for school. Adeline came with us and she was an incredible trooper for half of the way going up, then she got tired and we traded off carrying her the rest of the way up. (mostly Justin did)

It was suppose to rain that day, but we were determined to go. We brought rain jackets and just planned on getting wet. It held out the entire time. We got a small drizzle a time or two, but it was perfect weather! It got pretty cold when we made it to the top, but we bundled Adeline up and the scenery was distracting in a glorious way. The mist covering the tops of the mountains with yellow aspens speckled all over was my favorite scene...next to seeing Justin and Adeline together ♥♥ But really, every turn and every step was GORGEOUS!

This was one of my favorite days! (Next time we need to bring the boys. I think they will be able to handle walking the whole way this time!)

:: the sun even came out for a minute ♥ :: 

:: water drops on the leaves ♥♥ ::

fall hike #3 - october 1

My friend called me Monday morning and asked if Adeline and I wanted to go with her and Zach to hike Green Pond. There's always lots to do on a Monday, but these fall days are way to short, so it was a pretty easy yes!! It was beautiful up there!

:: I love those dirty faces! ::

our september at a glance

:: Levi's birthday present came in the mail (he's loved dinosaurs forever!) + chocolate milk fan ::

 :: the 1st phase of garden cleanup ::

 :: the harvest!! ::

 :: puzzles in Adeline's room (notice the artwork she's added above her bed) + playing doctors ::

 :: ♥♥♥ + turkey dinner in september (I really did cook a turkey, it had been in the freezer since last November. The best part: it was one of the best turkey's I've ever made. The sad part: it wasn't even Thanksgiving! I think since the pressure of making a perfect dinner was off, it turned out just right) ::

 :: dinner at Aunt Alayna's and Uncle Jeff's ::

:: their view is AMAZING!! :: 

 :: Sunday reading + Sunday games ::

 :: I was disappointed with the flowers this year, but than I saw this happy spot + our hanging pumpkin ::

 :: found a great solution for the kids to pack their own lunches + Rudger is rocking the 1st grade ::

 :: scout awards ::

  

 :: cousin time is the best time! ::

 :: when the kids saw this jeep in the church parking lot, they were extremely excited! + I loved my september runs early in the morning ::

 :: picnic and cupcakes with friends! + Adeline and her grandpa Packer ::

 :: she's in a picking flowers phase ::

 :: I'll never stop taking sunset pictures ::

 :: daddy was going to the temple so he told us to go buy a pizza and play at the park ♥♥♥ ::

 :: that happy face ♥ + that lipstick face ♥ ::

:: *sigh* the way the light is touching her ♥♥♥ ::