back to school and gorgeous hikes

I've decided hiking is my new favorite family pass time.  And really, we live in a great place for it.  These mountains, this sunshine, these souls that are so precious to me---all combined, I really almost burst with happiness.  This first set of photos was the hike to Cecret Lake that we took as our FHE activity the last Monday of the summer, right at dusk.  We had missed the wildflower explosion, but it was still breathtaking.

Hope's tiny hand found one of the many wildflowers still lining the lake and the trail.

See how happy these hikes make me?  ;)

We had our lesson on this rock above the lake and talked about being a leader.  On a hike, a good leader chooses safe paths, encourages those with him/her to stay safely on the path, warns them of slippery spots, stays positive, points out beautiful details and keeps going even when tired.  Then we talked about how they could use those same qualities to be good friends and leaders at school during the coming year.

Ryn and Elle started a few days before Eden, so here is their first day:

Ryn starting third grade and Elle starting second.

Ryn w her good friend, Annika

Ryn with her best friends after a fun first day

Eden was over the moon to get to her first day of KINDERGARTEN!!!!

Can you see it in those eyes?  

Walked to her class by her big sisters.  Lucky girls, so blessed to have each other.

Labor Day Bell Canyon hike with our little Super family and Spencer and Mary--our first time to meet her!

We made it to the reservoir where Kevin started heaving huge rocks into the water to splash the kids.  

Their facial expressions were priceless.  And so was Darren trying to protect Eden.  

When splashing wasn't enough, Kev decided to throw them in....  Just kidding :)

Love this youngest brother of mine.  He was about Darren's age when I left for BYU.  Now look at him....all grown up....

...and finding this beautiful girl to love.  

we're all kind of excited about that

jumping for joy, really

can't keep from dancing!

Happy happy days.
"You can look right through the leaves straight up to heaven, you can almost hear the voice of God in each and every breeze.  You've got to stop and smell the roses.  You've got to count your many blessings every day.  You're gonna find your way to heaven is a rough and rocky road, if you don't stop and smell the roses along the way."