Maroon Bells & Hanging Lake

There are so many beautiful places in Colorado we haven't been yet. So, in an attempt to see two in one trip, we planned a camping trip to Aspen so we could hike the Maroon Bells and then stop at Hanging Lake on the way home. I waited too long to get reservations, so we crossed our fingers in hopes of getting a campsite. There are only a handful of campgrounds with limited sites in each one. At the very last campground, we finally found three spots left. We picked the most secluded and set up camp. Much to our suprise, a deer wandered through our camp, checked things out, and then continued on her way. Regan was in awe. To stretch the kids' legs before we strapped them back in the car to head up to Maroon Bells, we walked across the road to the the Lostman Trailhead and hiked up to the reservoir. The kids loved finding the fish in the canal and throwing rocks into the lake. They both protested when we headed back to camp.

The Maroon Bells are absolutely beautiful. We weren't able to hike much up there because it was getting late and cold, and the kids would have declared mutiny. Hiking with two ornery kids does not exactly let you enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

When we got back to camp, Regan insisted on roasting marshmallows, and then we had to bundle up for bed. The next morning we packed up and headed for Hanging Lake. I had read about how beautiful it was online, but nobody really mentioned the trail to get there. It was one of the steepest and most technical trails I have ever been on. Not to mention, hauling two kids up! The view at the top is definitely worth all the work it takes to get up there, though.

There was a log sticking out into the lake that Regan begged Clint to take her on. I was rather surprised; Regan is hardly the adventurous one of our kids.

With Clint's help, she didn't fall off and then bragged about how brave she was the rest of the time. Because she was such a good little rock climber, she wanted to climb to the top of the falls. You can go behind the waterfall and, once again, the view is amazing. We got to the top and both kids were nervous because of the loud noise the falls created. Regan wanted to take our picture

and then Haden wanted to take a picture.

On the way back down the mountain, Haden fell sound asleep in Clint's arms, despite Clint having to maneuver around all the rocks on his descent. Regan was getting tired and asking to be carried until I suggested that we beat the boys down the mountain. On our rest break, Regan told Clint to look at the water. She then grabbed my hand and started running down the trail! Clint was very good to fall for her line every time. We eventually made it down. I thought both kids would be sound asleep on the way home, but they talked, sang, yelled, and entertained each other all the way home. We all slept very well that night!

Idaho

We spent the last half of July in Idaho. We had to take "Zoe," my 1990 Toyota Celica that I got in high school, to Blackfoot for my 15 year old brother. Clint finally got tired of driving "his wife's high school car" and upgraded. Because she was so old, I wouldn't be able to get anything for her, and I was so sentimentally attached to her, I couldn't sell her to just anyone. So, Dale was thrilled to inherit her. When she isn't driven for a while, she has to be jump-started. So, Clint and Dale jump-started her the night before we left for Idaho and drove her around a little bit so she would be ready for the 650 mile drive the next day. Everything was going fine, until we hit Laramie. Clint had to stop to rearrange the welder and the half way finished window well covers (another story...)in Zoe and turned the engine off. She refused to start again. He and Dale had to push start her to get her going. But then about 5 miles west of Laramie, she lost reverse and 5th gear. When you can only go 65 miles an hour, Wyoming takes forever to cross! Although Clint had to be careful where he parked, because he might have to be push started to get going again and his reverse didn't work, we luckily made it to Blackfoot with no other problems! At least my mom won't have to worry about Dale speeding!!

My family had our first family reunion. It was the first time in nearly 4 years that all ten of us were together, and with one sister moving to Japan next summer, it may be the last time in a long while before we are able to do it again. It was fun seeing everyone and Regan LOVED playing with all of her cousins and did not want to come home. She has since asked several times, "when can we move to Idaho?" So here we are all, in birth order, Spencer, Michelle, me, Andrea, Jessica, Theresa, Savannah, Natalie, Suzanne, and Dale.

The next morning, my mom's stake was hosting a 5K fun run for Pioneer Day. Several of my siblings are runners, so a handful of us showed up to run-the slackers slept in! ;) Despite the race organizers saying that only members of the stake were allowed to win ribbons, Savannah placed first in her division, Clint won second place in his division, and first place in the stroller division--there was only one other person pushing a stroller. It was Suzanne's first 5K and she did an excellent job!

That night was Natalie's wedding. Regan couldn't wait to go, but I think it was because she got to wear her new dress, not becuase Natalie was getting married. I made the wedding cake and it was beautiful, until the heat got it. I neglected to take any pictures of it when it was just finished, but just an hour later, the frosting had melted and I didn't have any time left to fix it. I don't think the horizontal lines on it helped much. Luckily, Natalie was a good sport about it. So, now I only decorate cakes in climate controlled environments!Here is Natalie with all the nieces and nephews on our side.

Overall, we had a wonderful time. Regan loved jumping on the tramp and playing Barbies with her cousins. Haden chased every animal at my mom's house. He has since come up with his own "sign" for goat. Very entertaining... They both had to be persuaded to ride the 4 wheelers, but then didn't want to get off. (I don't think I have ever gotten a picture of Dale without him making a ridiculous face...BLACKMAIL!!) The ride home even went much faster because we didn't have to go 65 mph!

Happy Independence Day!

Since both of our kids are terrified by loud noises, we decided against doing any fireworks and instead did sparklers in the back yard. They loved playing with them! I was a little apprehensive about giving one to Haden, but he refused to be left out and did very well holding onto the handle and didn't once get burned. Regan enjoyed turning us all into various undesirable creatures, frogs, toads, pigs, etc. with her "magic wand." For some reason, our "wands" would never work when it came to changing Regan into anything! Since it had been rainy all day, it was rather cold outside, and Regan insisted that she needed her scarf to keep her warm...