Hiking to See the Salmon Run

 Since we moved to the valley I have been wanting to go see the salmon run but I keep finding out to late and by the time we could go it is over. I saw it on the Ogden Valley Moms page that they were running currently and I wanted to make a plan to go. Matt hadn't been feeling well but said to go without him. So we loaded up and headed for the mountains I figured it would be good for all of us to get some fresh air and for Matt to have some peace and quiet. 

It was pretty warm to start I was more than ready to get into the trees and cooler air. The kids were all really excited to be outside and hiking...we'll see how long that lasts.

We stopped to take quite a few breaks and get drinks to make sure everyone stayed hydrated.

The views of Causey Reservoir were beautiful from the trail although it is so sad how low the water level is right now.

The colors were just starting to change. You could tell the different types of leaves by the color they currently were. All the aspens were yellow that day and so pretty. The kids all did a great job staying together. The trail is a 2.5 mile hike each way so I was a little concerned they'd get to tired but they didn't.

Yay! We made it. Initially as we looked at the stream/river there were very few fish and I thought in my head...was this really worth it?! But after we ate and had more water we ventured further up the stream and found many many more there. Their bright orange skin made them easy to see and so fun to watch them, There would be an occasional fish that would get stuck and die. The kids decided to get sticks and free all the fish that were trapped in a n effort to try and save them. I just enjoyed watching them play and put my feet in the water.

Liam mostly enjoyed jumping on rocks in the river

Just as we were getting ready to leave I heard a lady slide down the hill that dropped into the stream. When she fell she hurt her ankle badly...it looked like it might have been broken. No one had cell service so her husband stayed with her and the kids and I said we could run back and call for help. It gave the kids the umph they needed to get back I think. About 1/2 way back we ran into another group of hikers and asked if they had cell service...amazingly enough one of them had enough to make an emergency phone call. After we knew there was help on the way we lessened our paced briefly before the girls wanted to run again to make sure that help was coming. Shortly before we made it back we passed a sheriff and 2 paramedics. They asked us if we knew what was going on so we told them and they called in the rest of the info so they could get more help because they were going to have to carry her out. Just as we got back to the car we saw 2 more paramedics with a stretcher on a dirt bike tire that I assume they were going to haul her out on. We were all pretty relieved to be back to the air conditioned car and to more water. We had run out shortly before we got back. Now it was time to go home and take a good shower. It was such a fun experience and the kids did so well.

Manti Side By Side Weekend

We were excited for this weekend to come. We had been planning this most of the summer since our Island Park trip. We met at Nic's unfortunately Kimber's family got sick and couldn't come. We got there Friday night and got set up. Nic had made us yummy enchiladas and sides. The kids loved running around with their cousins and just being together. Grandma even got in on Liam's lego building.

Once we finished dinner and got everyone bathed we settled in and watched the new Cinderella. I love how much these kids love to be together. Then we headed off to bed. We brought our stackable cots so we put all the kids in their extra bedroom on them and Matt and I slept in Rigs bed.

The next morning we got up and moving but not to early. Nate was driving down to meet up with us to go side by side riding so we weren't in to much of a rush. The boys played Legos while we got breakfast ready.

Then we headed to the rental place to get our side by side and a 4-wheeler for Nate. Of coarse all the kids loved the 4-wheeler.

This time we all got to ride in one so that was nice to be together.

Our first stop was a potty break. There was a small creek and Matt enjoyed showing us his balance beam skills...we all got a kick out of it. I took Gracie to go potty behind a tree and just as she pulled her pants down a snake slithered by and she no longer wanted to go potty.

Just as we went to leave I found this jar in the end of a dead branch. It was a time capsule of sorts that had some cool and weird things in it. We found a pencil in the jar and left a few treats because we didn't have much else. I thought it was so fun although the rest of the adults were anxious to get on the trail.

We took turns trading off where everyone was sitting.

There came a point that we lost my parents and pulled off to the side to wait. Ultimately Matt and Kyle went back to find them and shortly after came back. Luckily they weren't having any issues just further behind us than we thought. While Matta and Kyle were gone Nic and I played with the kids. There were a million crickets/grasshoppers everywhere. They were huge and gross but the kids started catching them. Our kids chased them but didn't want to touch them. I love Griff & Kinner's faces when they got one.

The trail we were on wasn't supposed to have any restrictions for width but when we got to this point my parents couldn't get in with the rest of us. So they improvised and snuck it through very carefully. They positioned rocks to build a ramp up and over the barricade. It made my mom so nervous she couldn't even watch.

Luckily it worked great and after not to long we were on our way.

We decided our destination before heading back would be a small reservoir where we could eat lunch and visit. The water was cold but the kids still enjoyed rolling up their pants and playing in the water

On the way back we mixed the kids and riders up and off we went. My parents took Nate's 4-wheeler so he drove the side by side with Grace.

It didn't take long after lunch for everyone to get tired. I was tired as well. Liam was the first one to catch a nap.

Then Gracie

then Emy

Once we gassed and washed the side by sides we dropped them off and headed home. We ordered from a yummy pizza place near Nic's house for dinner. The kids enjoyed their picnic on the floor

While we ate my parents went to a neighboring town and picked up their new puppy Tucker. They had been a little unsure about getting another dog after Sophie died but they have missed having one so they decided on this one. Why are things so much cuter when they are smaller. I guess we'll see if he stays cute.

After dinner and puppy cuddles we headed for home. It was such a fun weekend getting out with our family. It was also fun to see Nic's house all put together and them getting more settled.