Rock Canyon Hike, Part 2: The Rest

So here's how the rest of our canyon hike/excursion played out.  Pipilo didn't really like being in the backpack carrier, but he'd pipe down as long as Unkey Dino kept a move on.  He also provided Daniel's neck with a steadily streaming spit shower as he raspberried his way up the mountain.  The older boys were wild and free, wielding sticks and making up games as they went.  Buddha boy wanted to always be at the front, blazing the trail for the rest of us.  He and Cash bounded along happily together.  My Buggster tuckered out easily and would fall behind with limbs drooping, calling for someone to help him up the trail.  As you'll see in the pictures, he found that willing savior in Uncle Daniel, who towed him along via stick.  Bugga also got in some rock throwing and was able to practice his (obviously) non-existent whistling skills.  Jude either shuffled slowly or, if encouraged to pick up the pace, really slowly (the little stinker).  He meandered contentedly, sucking his two middle fingers and soothing himself by rubbing his ear.  Eventually, he hitched a ride on his dad's shoulders. Bronson was an amiable, young chap; he just allowed himself to be carried along quietly by the wild current that is our family.  And then there was Ari.  Dear Ari.  I love this kid.  He hooked up the dog's leash to his ankle and pretended that he was being followed by a snake throughout the entire hike. We had our work cut out for us making sure that none of the other kids walked behind him, thus increasing his risk of being tripped up and face-planted.  At times, when the adults' attention had wandered, Ari would screech about so-and-so following too close to his snake, instigating a strident see-saw of "No I wasn't!" and "Yes you were!"  Ari and his antics kept a wide grin pasted to my face throughout our adventure.  He is a very funny, very smart, very creative kid.

P.S. I'll let the "fatal gases" photo explain itself. Oh yeah. I've got you hooked now, eh?!

Rock Canyon Hike, Part 1: The Sprint (x 300)

Six wild, little boys, ages six and under + one house that used to feel huge + six decrepit, old, worn out phogies = many, many, many, many, many, very necessary excursions in the great outdoors.

On this particular outdoor adventure, we substituted one six-year-old Bronson (Jarem's nephew), who fit right into the melee of boys, for one baby Gideon (Sara's baby), who wisely opted to tag along with his milk supply mommy. Also not to be forgotten, one very manly dog answering to the name of Cash. And with these odds, let's just say I was feeling quite content at my post behind the camera, documenting the testosterone fest from afar.

At the start of our hike, we happened upon this lovely, rusted-orange bridge and proceeded to run something like 352 sprints back and forth toward Aunt Ewizabef and her snapping camera. The following images are my personal favorites. I love that they absolutely ooze childhood delight and joy and reckless abandon.

Granny Jude

Here starts my record of our time spent in Utah. There will be many posts to come, but I will take them one event/experience/activity at a time. It's all I can handle at the computer anyway. :D

This is my darling nephew, Jude, who has the most gorgeous hair ever. I LOVE his curls and command my sister never to cut them . . . ever. Anyway, there he sat in the corner of the kitchen, all by his lonesome, eating his cottage cheese, wearing my mom's glasses, and *reading* the newspaper when I happened upon him and immediately dashed to my room for my camera. Since I had just newly arrived and he was still wary of me, I asked his permission to take a picture of him. He simply said, "uh huh," and returned with vigor to the business of consumption. We got along swimmingly and I heard him tell someone a little later that I was his "fwiend, Aunt Ewizabef."

I love him.

Miss Amanda's Birthday

The day before we left for Utah, little Miss Amanda had the gall, the nerve, to celebrate a birthday. Sheesh.  Seriously.  (We won't mention the fact that I had the gall to forget said birthday and had to be reminded.)  So I did what every self-respecting, properly-shamed best friend does.  I popped in at the very end of the day and embarrassed her with a bag full of kiddie party decor that I made her wear while eating a stale piece of Albertson's strawberry shortcake, opening a bunch of cheap b-day presents, and being photographed through it all.  :D

I had a blast.  And I think she did, too.




















Isn't she just beautiful?
Inside and out.
I love this girl.
Thanks for being my best friend, Amanda!!!