Our stake has this awesome thing where every second weekend of the month is Family Friendly Weekend – no meetings or activities except for church on Sunday can be scheduled on that weekend to encourage families to spend more time together. As a result, we decided that these Saturdays would be our outing days.
Right now we’re having lots of car trouble so we chose to go someplace close to home – an nice little county park about fifteen minutes away. They have a few nice nature trails, plenty of picnic areas, a park, and lake – when the weather warms a little more we’ll take our canoe out.
This time we decided to go on a hike – the longest one was 1.6 miles so we did that one. It ended up being perfect for James who was on his first “walk on your own” hike. For just turning three at the end of December I thought he did pretty good. We’re hoping to have him up to close to three miles by the end of the summer. Though it was a short hike, we had all the kids wear their backpacks (except James) and pack their own water and snacks, so as we get ready for longer hikes, they’ll be accustomed to it.
One of the favorite things about hiking is finding the perfect walking stick – All the kids quickly become obsessed with finding the perfect stick – in fact, James was often carrying two or three sticks. 🙂
We love bridges on our hikes! Especially because trolls can often be found lurking around them.
“Fee Fie Fo Fum!”
“Who’s that tromping over my bridge?”
And this bridge is infested with trolls!
Then there’s the ever so popular activity of racing ahead and hiding behind trees to spring out at the unsuspecting hikers still to come. My dad did this with me when I was little, and so the tradition continues. The kids pick up the activity quickly – unless this tree just happened to sprout arms, feet, and a backpack!
Another favorite hiking tradition is tree hugging. I suppose it all comes from being the kids of a botanist, but this started when I was little. As you can tell, I am teaching my kids well. 😀
I thought they had been attacked by the trolls, but they informed me they were napping while waiting for James to catch up.
Little legs give up.
And stubborness sets in.
Finally I tell him he can be the troll at the next bridge we find, and miraculously it gets him moving.
Wait for us Dad! The boys hiking together
Back at the parkinglot/picnic area
I looked over while eating my apple to see my five oldest kids lined up by age hanging out the little windows of our picnic shelter.
Robert and Dad couldn’t be left out!
Fun and Flawed 
Yay! What a fun day out!
Oh my! That looks so fun! I love hiking. I wish my kiddos would be a little more excited and cooperative about it, but I can see why yours are with all those fun games. That close up of Robert is so cute. In your other pictures he has always reminded me of James or Jacob, but in that one he looks like his own little person.
That is the coolest picture!
That looks like great fun! It’s been so nice to have the weather warm up a little so we can all get outside 🙂 I’m impressed your 3 yr old made it on the hike, way to get him started young!!
You guys are such a cute family!
So much fun! Love it!
Cute, cute photos. For such a big family you look like you all get along and have lots of fun!