fall creek falls: camping, hiking, geo-caching

Last weekend we camped at Fall Creek Falls State park with some friends. Festivities included sleeping in a tent with three kids (which was a success), hiking to the base of the Fall Creek Falls waterfall (also resulting in zero casualties), eating tin foil dinners and s'mores, good conversation around a campfire, a swinging suspension bridge, geo-caching to find a hidden treasure (a huge hit with Pete), and finding a fire tower, climbing the 119-129 (we may never know exactly how many) steps to the top above the trees, and enjoying the view of the beautiful Tennessee landscape for miles! All this fun and our family of five came away with only one tick (located on Peter's shoulder). Not bad for one weekend.

Early Morning View of Cane Creek Gorge

Pete after successfully crossing the suspension bridge

Our family at the base of Fall Creek Falls

Pete finding the "treasure"

View from the top of the fire tower

farewell, little blue helmet

I think Jack (with the more symmetrically round head) will miss you!

come back again soon!

My mom came to visit us and was here for a whole week! She flew out today and was here for Peter and my birthdays! We had so much fun with her. She helped me with Pete's birthday party last Friday and then we went hiking in Big South Fork (pictured above at Needle Arch) on Saturday. She also went swimming with us on Monday and then she treated me to a haircut, color, and massage on my birthday on Tuesday. Plus she watched the kids for the whole day while I was off getting pampered. It was great!

So long mom! Thanks for a fun visit, and come back again soon.

Big South Fork

On Saturday, we drove about 3.5 hours to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in north eastern Tennessee. We hiked about 3 miles round trip to Slave Falls and Needle Arch and I think it was my favorite hike so far in Tennessee. It was so beautiful and lush, it reminded me of a tropical rain forest as we hiked down closer to the falls. Wade hiked to Twin Arches on his own while we entertained the tuckered out little ones. I didn't get to see much of the park, but from the little I did see, I would highly recommend it to anyone. Wade also said the Twin Arches hike was even better than the Slave Falls one (although much shorter).

Slave Falls (and my mom)

Needle Arch

Twin Arches

Twin Arches

al rescate

On Friday, we had a Diego birthday party for Peter. We had 8 of his friends come over and just went crazy! As they arrived at 1:00pm, I had them choose an animal mask (jaguar, chinchilla, or spider monkey) and color an "Animal Rescuer Badge" to wear.

Then we started to sing some songs and do some dancing. This always seems to be a blast with 3-5 year olds and these kids were no different. We danced to "Count the Animals," "Five Little Monkeys," "Freeze Dance," "Ring Around the Rosie," and "Goin' on a Bear Hunt."

The kids loved it and at the end I got a call on Pete's animal rescue radio that there was an animal in trouble! Baby jaguar needed to be rescued. Luckily, we had a room full of expert animal rescuers, so we followed the clues around the house, down the stairs, into the grass, and back up to the apartment to find Baby Jaguar stuck under the table! After a daring rescue, the animal rescuers got a well-deserved snack of finger foods: cheese and crackers, fruit and veggies.

Pete playing with his new toys

After Pete opened his presents (every one of which he absolutely loved), we played a game of "Don't Eat Pete," and then wrapped up the party by dining on Baby Jaguar cupcakes and ice cream.

The baby brothers joined in the fun too and thank goodness my mom was in town to help out. Pete and the kids seemed to have fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it as well- I'd say it was a success!

Later that night, when dad got home, we sang happy birthday to Pete and ate his Diego birthday cake as a family. My mom made this cake and I think it turned out pretty well.

4-yr-old pete

I am in denial that I could possibly be old enough to have a 4 year old, but it's true! Peter turned 4 today. We are the luckiest family to have this amazingly happy, kind, loving, and sometimes silly little guy in it!

Happy Birthday Peter!

Watch him grow over the last 4 years:

I'm going running tonight...

...because I need to get in shape and lose a few pounds.

...so I can use my comfy new running shoes. Which were a gift for my birthday last May, but haven't been used a whole lot during the last year.

...because the weather is currently that perfect combination of warm and cool.

...because I can't wait to listen to some good music.

...for my only "alone time" away from three crazy boys.

...because I ate two pieces of chocolate cake last night...and another one today.

...because the lady at the store today asked me when my baby was due.

flashback friday, some cute kids

Can you guess who these two cute kids are? I'll give you a hint: They are nowhere near as cute now as they were in these photos (But I think that's the general rule isn't it?)!

fall creek falls, take two

Pete's soccer game on Saturday was canceled due to wet fields after a downpour on Friday night, so we decided to take advantage of our day of play to do some hiking. We drove to Fall Creek Falls in search of the rare Pink Lady Slipper orchid found near the state park. Wade heard it was in bloom and hoped to use his macro lens to capture a few pics. We hiked about 3 miles, and, although we came up empty handed, it was a fun hike. Peter seems to be the happiest when he is outdoors and enjoyed collecting rocks, acorns, sticks, pine cones, leaves, and a caterpillar. He loved the water and wasted no time throwing his treasures into the stream. He hiked the whole way without complaining as usual (although I can't say the same for myself- it's hard carrying a 28lb 15 month-old on your back!).

After a hard day of hiking, all three boys fell asleep on the drive home.
(You can just barely see the top of Pete's sleeping head in the back.)

flashback friday, dorm 6

1997-1998 I was a freshman at Ricks College. That year was full of more fun and silliness than an 18-year old should be allowed. It was a blast. It was also a time of serious study and learning (yeah right!). A few of my memories from living in dorm 6 include:

Late night Craigo's, Hogi Yogi, Getting addicted to Ben & Jerry's (which I paid for with my dining card. I think two meals in exchange for a pint of BJ's is a pretty good deal!), FHE groups, Playing pranks on, and getting pranked by, the boys from Rigby Hall (Girls rule, boys drool)!, Ward activities/parties, Intramural flag football, Gettin' down at college dances every weekend, Tuesday devotionals, Cafeteria food (which I loved!), Crazy fun roommates with whom I did everything and who became my family away from home. Unfortunately, I haven't been in touch with many of them for quite some time! (If you're reading this, please drop me a line and let me know how you're doing), And great ward friends who also became my home away from home. Just don't ask me to recall any of their names (- I must be getting old)!

Enjoy some photos of us in all our teenage glory:

Our intramural flag football team

Ready for the Inaugural Ball (I'm in the blue dress)
(President Bednaur was just made president of the college)

My roommates clockwise from the top left:
Marcie, Lilly, Celeste, (George, Paul, Ringo) Debbie, Becky, and Moi.