Attempting to climb Big Mountain

Last weekend we took the kids to climb Big Mountain. It is 3.8 miles up and then you can ride down on the gondola. Everyone was excited. Kellen was on Gregg's back, Lydi was in the front pack and Payton was going to hike. We knew it would take quite a while, so we had tons of snacks and of course a lot of water. To our dissappointment, when we got to the trailhead, there was a sign that said Chair One (the lift we needed to ride down) was closed. It also said there were bear sightings in the first mile of the hike. We decided that almost 8 miles round trip would be way to much for us at this point, so we hiked up a while and then turned around and hiked back down. I was nervous about the bear so it was probably for the best :) All I know is in the spring we are going to hike Big Mountain as soon as Chair One is open!

Here is Lydia in her hiking boots ready to hike!

Getting ready to hike!

On the trail!

Here is another failed attempt at a picture of all three kids where everyone is looking and smiling...we even bribed with suckers. Oh well...it was a cute attempt at least :)

Lydi's famous pouty face...she is working us already I think

Camping, big boy beds and lots of other fun

A lot has happened in the past few weeks as usual around here. Kellen started sleeping in the other bed in Payton's room. The first few nights were tough to get him to sleep in there. I wanted to move him to the other room thinking it might be easier if they weren't sharing, but Gregg really wants them to share a room. After a few nights of persisitance bedtime is running a little smoother. It is adorable to here them in there talking to each other before they go to sleep.

Here is what else we have been up to:

Payton has been practicing on his big bike! One of our summer garage sale finds!

Lydia all ready for our morning walk

More Lydi smiles

My short hair cut (picture by Payton)

A lot of messes = a lot of baths

Lydi tipping over

Will we ever have a picture of all of them looking and smiling?

We went camping over Labor day weekend with some friends. It was so much fun but slightly crazy. Between our family and theirs, there were 7 kids 5 and under :) The boys had a blast as they have never been that dirty for that long in their lives. We were right on Tally lake, so the kids all swam most of Sunday. It got pretty cold that night (37 degrees) so Gregg and I froze. The kids had plenty of blankets and slept through the night so they were just fine! Camping will definitely be happening a lot next summer!

Payton and our friends' daughter Julia swam all the way out to the dock quite a few times through out the day!

Gregg and the babies took a nap in the shade.

Payton was a huge help setting up the tent :) or at least he thought he was! and Lydi supervised.

Lydi (or Lydi Lou, or Lou Lou and Gregg and the boys often call her) started laughing the past few days. It is so cute to hear!


Have I told you how amazing of a sleeper she is. 8-10 hours STRAIGHT every single night. She must know that I need it :) In all seriousness...I couldn't ask for a better, sweeter baby. We are SO blessed!