November

It has only been a couple of months since I hiked from Grove Creek to Battle Creek. It was like a completely different hike.

                                                 
                       Still pretty, but a different kind of pretty. It's officially November! What a great month.

I love it when we make it to this part of the hike. The climb is over and we usually run through this meadow. It is so Beautiful!

 Just a Cowboy, his Horse and Dog. I am pretty sure he was scrambling some eggs, the smell of them was making me wish I had eaten breakfast before I left instead of a bunch of Halloween candy.

                                                                   
                                                                      Indian Springs

                                         

                                                           
                                                                  Such a pretty day!

Battle Creek has changed too! A heavy rainstorm made all sorts of new streams and waterfalls.

                 
                            Everything was looking pretty dead but there was still a little bit of color left.

                                                          I am so blessed to live here!

Hiking

 Almost every Saturday for the past year my sister Cassie and I have either been going on long runs or we go Hiking. Lately and throughout most of the summer it has been Hiking. I love it. I find myself really looking forward to Saturdays.

 For the past 4 years I have either been pregnant or nursing so Hiking and long runs don't exactly work. I am sure Cassie probably gets sick of me saying "I can't believe these trails have been in my backyard my entire life!" I love that we get a great work out, we get to enjoy SO much Beauty, and we get to spend sister time together!

I sure do love this Sister of mine.We were meant to be Sisters. Cassie is just about as tough as you can get. She is physically strong, mentally strong, and spiritually strong. I learn so much from her and I enjoy being with her, she is a good teacher.

                        This was our hike to Cedar Point. The leaves were just barely starting to change.

                                                                My Favorite Temple

                Cassie and her friend Tracey. She has great friends and they are a lot of fun to be around.

All of my friends are family. I really need to get out more... I know. Not too many girls can say their mother in-law is their friend, but I can honestly say MINE IS! Cheryl has been through just about everything and she still manages to stay positive and happy.
Sometimes I feel like she is my age, she can do everything and is in the greatest shape.

 

She is a lot of fun to hike with, I love a girl that can take a Snickers break.

The blue skies are quickly fading, hopefully we will be able to get a couple more hikes in before the winter.

Family Night

 

 We all had our shoes on ready to go when Beetle got off work so we could head up the Mountain for Family Home Evening.

 It was pretty much a last minute decision, our kids were more than ready to get out of the house.

 Simon was determined to hike the trail on his own, absolutely no hand holding for him. Beetle did a good job guarding the edge of the trail.

 Benson wanted to climb to the top of this mountain. Maybe one day when your like 30 I said.

Simon thinks he can do anything with his sword in hand.

                                   Pretty much this is as blonde as it gets with our little Brigadoon.

 We have got our $3.00's worth out of Gerry, he has packed a lot of cute BeetleMindySmart Babies, I will be sad the day we retire him.
                           
                           As much as Brig was loving Gerry he wanted to give hiking a try.....

                                                Weeds in my face, I have weeds in my face(:

             
               When Maxwell gets tired, he just sits down right in the middle of the trail.

      Speaking of middle of the trail, we saw this little beauty carrying babies on her back. Yucky.

 Our kids really could have kept going, but we were running out of day light so we stopped and had an otter pop break. This was the first family night in a long time where it was actually quiet and our kids weren't fighting.

                               Don't ya think these little beauties are a sure sign of a good time?

  It was a peaceful night, I loved having this little family of mine all to myself, away from any distractions.