Family Backpacking Trip

 Matt has been talking about taking a family backpacking trip all summer.  He grew up going backpacking and has been taking the boys for years.  The girls and I had never been.  I was....hesitant.  This weekend was finally the right time.  The weather was going to be beautiful and warm and soccer was over, no scout campout, etc.

We packed up on Thursday night and loaded the car so that we could leave as soon as Matt got off work Friday night.  We went up the Dry Creek trail in Alpine.  (toward Horsetail Falls).  Everyone carried a pack.  I was planning on carrying Ellie in the baby hiking backpack until we realized that Matt's pack was lighter than Ellie.  So we switched.  Even Sydney carried her My Little Pony backpack with two fleece blankets rolled up inside.

 The hike up was HARD.  I am not sure if Matt is trying to get me in shape, or he never wants me to go backpacking with him again.  It was a short trail, just over a mile from car to campsite, but it was straight up and super rocky.  Our kids were crazy tough and just kept going.  We were super excited when we hit the pine trees and the trail was cool and shady for the last third of the hike.

 We set up camp a little ways off the trail, close to a creek.  It was a gorgeous spot.  We set up and hauled water up the hill and got it all purified , etc and started to make dinner.  Re-hydrated food never tasted so good!  We had some pudding for dessert and then built a fire.  We read Little House in the Big Woods aloud around the campfire.  The photo below was taken right before a spark hit my pants and burned a hole right through them!  I love Little House in the Big Woods, but I had never read it before outside, in the dark, when you are the only people on a mountain.....there are some scary parts about panthers, bears, etc.  It didn't help that we heard a coyote that sounded really close by and would not stop howling.  Yikes.

 We read Little House until Austin fell asleep on a rock and Sydney fell asleep on the ground.  We had scriptures and prayers and headed to bed.  Sydney was not thrilled to be awakened to be forced to pee in the bushes.  Derek, Austin, the girls and I slept in a tent, Matt and Zack opted for under the stars.  It was a beautiful night and very warm, which was nice.

 Derek was stung by a bee earlier that day at school and his hand swelled up huge!  He kept talking about his "fat hand" and that fact that he couldn't make a fist.

 Good morning in the Utah mountains!  Ellie loved "packpacking"

 Brothers.

 Showing off his skills.  Austin collected Autumn leaves like crazy.  He said he needs them for homework.

This photo doesn't come close to showing the beauty and colors this morning.  We headed down the mountain and went out to lunch and then came home to watch BYU get slaughtered by Michigan.  Ouch.  Fun family adventures!