This and That

August, September, and October went by and we took only a few pictures. It's sad really, we did some fun things. In August we went camping on the coast with some friends. They have a son the same age as Eli and they are good buddies. Even though it was August, the weather was not very warm and the water is always cold but they didn't seem to mind. We camped only one night, but it was a great time with friends.

The only decent picture from the camping trip. 

Josh missed the next adventure because of work, but a few weeks after camping Eli and I went to my parents house in Idaho to spend time with my family. We were camping for most of the time there as well. All of Eli's cousins from the Mendenhall side of the family were there and most of the aunts and uncles.

Ginger, Eli, and Kimberly getting the last of the whipped cream from the mixing bowl.

Hanging out in the back of Grandpa's truck. (L to R: Andrew, Susan, Ginger, Kimberly, Lilly, Eli, MaKenna)

This was the view from our campsite. There was a river running right by the campsite, which was really wonderful as most of the days we spent there we over 90 degrees. The haze in the photo was caused by a huge wildfire. We went rafting while we were there (5 adults and 6 kids in one raft for 2 hours...) and from where we put the raft in you could see where the highway was closed due to the fire. 

I didn't get any pictures of all the fun we had playing with family, watching two musicals in an outdoor theater, sleeping in grandma and grandpa's camper (Eli loved the camper), rafting the river, floating another, smaller river, or riding four wheelers, but we had a great time. 

In early October Eli and I went on a hike to Snow Lake. It is just over 7 miles round trip. The longest hike Eli had done up to this point was 5 miles, so I wasn't sure if we would make it. I was ok with not making it all the way, I just wanted to see what we could do and still enjoy our day. This was one of the best days of parenthood to date. Watching Eli enjoy doing something I love was incredible. We stopped along the trail to throw rocks, we saw some pika, ate some snacks, and enjoyed one of the last sunny days on the trail before snow and weather shut us down for the season. There were a few times when he required a word or two of encouragement, but I was also completely willing to turn around before the lake if he started getting too tired or if he wasn't enjoying it anymore. That was the amazing part; he was loving it as much as I was. We were singing and exploring and laughing as we hiked. It was the best.  

Enjoying some sandwich at the lake.

The only thing that could have made the day better was if Josh could have joined us. 

Snow Lake from the top of the ridge.