hiking, slides, and loads of smiles

wednesday of camp was a family free day.  our family decided to hike in the national park to a waterfall.  we did a little research and thought it would be an easy, stroller friendly trail!

and we are OFF!!

 the kids got a nature guide to check off, making the hike a really exciting experience.  allie searched for all sorts of animals, plants, and insects.

there were also plenty of fun adventures to be had... like taking a rock path rather than a bridge.  ;)

about half way into our hike we were stopped by the park rangers and informed that strollers were actually not allowed on this trail... oh, boy... lots of holding for the next few miles.

there were so many beautiful spots to wonder at God's amazing creation! i'm going to make them bigger just so you don't miss the splendor.

this was our final destination and our view during lunch... alberta falls

caleb sisco - chipmunk hunter extraordinaire.

the kids were amazed at how cold the ice melt was and all took turns feeling it.

i don't know that a sisco has EVER fallen asleep in our arms before.  this is definitely a first in our family.  poor baby... long morning. 

at the end of the hike, the kids turned their book in to become jr. rangers.  they had to take an oath and make it all official.  it was pretty funny.

after the hike we made the most of our trip by driving to the top of the mountain in search for snow.  they were tuckered out and slept (except for caleb) all the way there.

another beautiful view when we got to the top and just enough snow to say we played in it.  ;)

see that little patch of snow that they are walking towards.  that is where they played.  it looks smaller than it really was. 

griffin and i waited by the road and stole a sweet picture.

we ended our whirlwind day at the big slides in town.  how can you drive by these and not slide?  don't they look like fun?

you slide down on burlap pieces... so tall, so fast, so fun.  we did this for an hour and 1/2!

look at those faces...

don't let this one fool you!  he went down on dad's lap several times. 

sheesh!  what a day.  i'm tired just re-living it with you!  

more to come...