lit tree

Started like this...

 

 

Then 1 down...

 

Then 2 down...

 

Then 3 down....

 

...

 

?...

Tree Decorating

Not only did my kids help take all the pictures

but they also helped put lights on the tree

this year. So glad to have this

revolving door of little photographers.

I get so many interesting images.

images....by Sibley, Gaitz, Render and Me!

Btw... The lights went on one day but decorations

had to be postponed. Our whole family was

At each other, cranky, NOT IN THE SPIRIT!

So I let the night do it's job... 

The job it does so well...

Reset the mood. 

The next day ... There was joy! 

Great things are worth the wait.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

#optoutside

When you come rolling up with 4 kids,

monster sized packs and a dog, people give you

that wide-eyed crazy look.

Yes, people... we know!

Except for the sweet old man with a terrier on

leash that gave me the approving nod and smile that made my

heart swell and the hardships melt.... like we might be ok after all.

 

Providence canyon backcountry on

Thanksgiving 2015.

 

First off, I apologize for the lack of quality pictures but

I decided to travel with a different lens...

was not happy and it won't happen again!

 

 

 

Gaitz has really been stepping it up

by carrying his own back.

What a huge help!

 

Sibley and Gaitz were troopers on this trip,

the other two were really into

whining and bickering but

sometimes it goes that way.

 

Breakfast

 

He is getting use to this backpacking thing!

For a 2 year old he has done perfectly

on trail. Now we need to outfit him

with a vest to carry his own food

and bowls.

 

Kid entertainment when backpacking

pocket knives, cloth Frisbee and UNO cards.

 

Her favorite knit beanie and smartwool socks.

 

 

When you are a daddy to 4 little kids

sometimes your life ....

 

and backpack look like THIS!

 

 

Merritt's perspective... Good shot, cutie!

 

 

Although the ranger said tennis shoes would

be fine on the canyon floor

rubber boots would have improved our mile time!

 

Of course, soft sand to dig in didn't help our

travel time either!

One thing to learn is NOT to expect a lot

of actual forward movement when hiking with little ones.

Trust me... That's a statement I didn't handle well this trip!

 

 

Sibley ALWAYS carries the map.

 

 

I wondered if that van full of college kids were

worried we would set up camp next to them...

Haha!

 

 

 

 

 

Dance party turned wrestle mania

New Christmas music on the radio