Scout Falls

Another big adventure for us! This one was actually big. Like it was a real hike. And there was sweat. And grumpiness. And anxiety of toes. And lots of other things. But it was seriously beautiful. It was definitely longer than the information we read about, and not so kid friendly, but still fun.

The very beginning of the trail:

Starting out with gusto: 

Things getting a little hairy towards the end... losing my patience... sweating buckets...

In the midst of my grumbling and darting through the bushes to avoid swarms of bees, we saw something super cool. If you look reeeeeally close, you can see the face of a deer in the brush. Is was crazy, we all of a sudden heard loud thrashing nearby, like it was falling down the mountainside (I don't even know how a dear survives up that high on a mountainside) so we just froze and looked at it for a few minutes through the leaves, not wanting to know what would happen if it came out onto the trail and faced us (at least I didn't) but it was really neat. We were so close to it!

Taking a break and asking lots of questions:

Poor G just wanted to walk on her own but we weren't at a pace to ramble. 

There were 3 or 4 little creeks leading up to the waterfall that gave me false hope every time! But I stopped and cooled my feet finger toes and all was well. It's funny, I can literally feel my the stress and discomfort melt away when my feet are well taken care of :)

Nearing the end, but not quite at the waterfall. Here's a view on the canyon and what we had hiked so far:

Finally we made it:

I was almost in desperation at the end because you come to what looks like "the end" of the trail and there is a little sign that says "Scout Falls" and then you see the falls through the trees way off in the distance so it looks like you can't get to it and I was about to throw down cause at the thought of hiking all that way and having to peek through the trees at a waterfall. But then Zach did some exploring and figured out how to climb around the cliffside right up to it. Still kind of a bummer considering you can't just relax and your kids splash around on flat ground and dip your toes in, you have to really be careful not to slip down and fall to your death and watch your babes. But it was really beautiful and still neat to get close enough to feel it sprinkling on you. 

The amazing view of the canyon below us:

A sweet panoramic picture that Zach took:

We ate snacks like a big kid:

And I even had to sit on a rock and NURSE. Oh the joys... but all was happy in the end:

Then Zach decided to refill our water bottle with fresh mountain spring water since we have a filter camelbak and just decided to go all in!

He said it was pretty cold! And he tried to get Georgia up close to it but she wasn't havin it :)

And then Zach's new favorite tradition, selfies with his baby girl: 

Hahaha I love it so much.

And she ended up kicking and screaming with joy whenever he'd get her too close to the water, like it was gonna get her. She loved it!

Finally we packed it up and got going. I loved this site in front of me the whole time, a good beat to march to:

Baby boy, wide awake for most of it. He doesn't sleep on the go like Big Sis did.

Me & my crew:

Georgia was straight POOPED by the end of it! Just slumped over on daddy's head.

Oh my toes were aching by the time we got back from being smashed while going downhill! I need some new running shoes that fit my finger toes better.

Looking back at the canyon we just hiked: 

It was long and sometimes uncomfortable but beautiful, and reminded me of the good ole camping/hiking/exploring days with my family, which put an instant smile on my face. Wish they all could have been there! Better yet, I wish we were all hunting for Navajo hieroglyphs in southern Utah with my pops... 

Independence Day 2014

My first time going patriotic with my toe nails! 

Also, that was the worst pedicure I ever got and the first time I ever not tipped AND told them I was never coming back. A pedicure should cause that much pain! I am aware I have sensitive toes but this was bad. 

Anyway, we kicked off the morning at The Bay and got there super early with front row seats, shade, and the pool all to ourselves!

I only got harassed twice by the biggest jerk ever over a couple of CHAIRS... it was shocking to say the least and almost ruined my morning.

But I got over it. And it looks like I gave Georgia one of those edgy boy haircuts haha.

We tuckered her out nice and good for nap time (haha her face kills me).

 And she was out!

We met up with my friends this year in Sandy behind the Target for good eats and a firework show. I love these two baby friends and their matching facial expressions!

Obviously Georgia had a beeline to the bounce houses which she was not allowed in so mass meltdown ensued. 

Be and Bai:

 And then Jess showed up:

And then I asked Bai to take a picture of my family and I found these on my phone:

haha! She's so funny. She was hoping I wouldn't see them until she had left for St. George the next week but I'm too quick for that.

Poor Bos was not havin it for picture time.

 So this is what we managed to get... someday we'll laugh at all the mishap pictures where someone is crying! I just hope it's not me :)

 After getting over the bounce house shut down, G spent most of the afternoon climbing into her stroller and jumping off the foot of it. Over and over and over. She thinks she's so clever!

 And getting lots of tickles from Bai.

 We found Heidi just as we were settling down for fireworks. Londy always dotes of Miss Georgia and these two strolled hand and hand all the way down the street to the blankets. I was surprised since Georgia doesn't usually let people hold her hands. 

While waiting for the show to start, the kids threw about 5,000 of those firecracker popper thingies at the passing cars and hyped up on Tummy Yummy drinks and fruit 

  Our view of the fireworks:

It was actually kind of sad... I didn't realize it until halfway through the show, but they never played any music and that was sad to me. I love laying out on a blanket and watching the fireworks as the patriotic music tugs at your heart strings. None this year :( but plenty of friends to share it with. 

Jess & Jackson: 

 Georgia & her second mommy:

Georgia was completely enthralled with the show and didn't move a muscle. Zach was getting jealous so he stole her back and cuddled her up.

 Not a bad evening!

 At the end of it, both babes were sittin pretty on Derek's lap. 

 As we drove home, we pulled over along the side of highland road and looked out over the amazing view to see hundreds of fireworks going off everywhere! It was seriously amazing. You can't tell in the picture but that little light on the right hand side - there were hundreds filling the horizon and it was awesome. You won't find that in California!

It was a fun, hot, sweaty, sticky day filled with friends and family and that's good in my book!

Lisa Falls Trail

The first of many hiking adventures. 

Fact: I only hike in sandals. Which gives you an idea of the level of hiker I am. But really, my finger toes hold me back from my true potential.

Fact: I only hike to waterfalls or other water sources. My finger toes must be appeased and rewarded. 

Lisa Falls is the EASIEST hike of all time. It's like step, step, step, BAM waterfall. And that's just the way I like it :) You have to climb a tad but even a few feet into the hike, you can already hear the water running! There it is at the top of the rocks:

 Love these hikers.

 Zach took her around closer to the waterfall so it could splash on them.

 And then took these amazing selfies hahaha

 I actually thought it was the cutest thing ever, given that Zach is totally against selfies/most pictures in general.

Her face just kills me. 

More forced kisses:

 Then he was off to conquer. He saw others way up high and wanted to go as far up as he could. 

Where's Waldo??

Then he gave my high strung heart a race by sliding down a sheer drop of the last 15 feet just so I could get after him for almost leaving me husbandless.

 Georgia had a ball just dippin those baby toes in the creek and throwing rocks on rocks on rocks.

 The entire time.

 And shrieking loudly. 

For full effect, press play.

I am all for escaping the heat of Utah and a beautiful landscape.

 At the end of the hike, I realized that it was indeed July 3rd and baby boy was 2 months old! I love him so. He did pretty good on the hike. 

We packed up just as a storm rolled in and the first drops fell & a sweet rainbow crossed the sky. 

 A happy day! Aside from some minor battle wounds. I only slipped once. Dang sandals. All saving & fatal at the same time. They provide the air my toes need to breath and guard against mass anxiety from cramped finger toes and provide zero protection. I don't have feet issues at all. 

 Georgie wasn't done playing when we got home so we rolled through the neighborhood.

 And picked up the mail.

 She was hunting for a coupon. 

A successful adventure day and tomorrow is Independence Day which = more fun!