Lower Palisades Hike

This last Saturday we FINALLY got out on a hike!! In the spring I planned out this hike, but then it didn't end up happening the weekend we thought it would, then ir rained for a month, then we had family up and a vacation. Anyway, I finally was like, we are going hiking as a family now! We rented a kid carrier and prayed the hike wouldn't be too bad for David. We left early in the morning along with some friends and started the easy 4 mile hike to the lower palisades lake. We would've loved to have gone all the way to the upper lake which is supposed to be way more beautiful and bigger, but we knew it was too far to go with the kids. And we actually saw another moose right at the begginning of our hike! David thought it was pretty cool.

I know this picture is blurry. I took it as I was walking myself. When we first started out it was still pretty chilly, so we wore coats even though we knew that we'd be taking them off soon.

During our first break to change diapers and feed Sydney a little(she'd refused breakfast before leaving)...
On the way up I carried David on my back off and on, but he walked at least half of the way.

Here is a shot of our friends with David. Sometimes we had a hard time keeping David's little leg pace. But he was SO cute. He wanted to point out everything and touch everything. It was so fun to watch him be so excited. There was however, the matter of the horse poop. I guess it was a mistake to tell him that's what it was in the parking lot, because on the trail he refused to walk over it(and I mean the several days old dry stuff) and even started kinda growling every time he saw it. Or say, "wow, poop." We had to guide him every time we passed some(which was quite often) or just pick him up and lift him over it. Ah, so funny.

Then the men pulled out their fishing poles so they could fish in the river we were passing whenever it looked promising, and David was extremely excited about it. Clay was very nice to let David hold it for a little bit as we hiked(as he held the tip up of course).

Scott and Clay fishing off one of the many bridges we crossed. They didn't have any luck with the fishies though.

For those of you who have commented on how I don't look pregnant. Look there! There is my belly poking out. =)

Our little family made it!

After we didn't find good lake access in any way shape or form we went back to where there was a nice place to relax in the tree's where we overlooked it.

Our cool friends. =)

Clay making David laugh.

Sydney had a blast walking around and exploring as well...

So, poor Sydney. We rented this baby hiking carrier and she was such a good sport. After not too long she had this look on her face like, "I'm resigned to wait this out." She even took a nap on the way up, and down. The really sad thing is that her face was rubbing with every step on the front of the carrier, and her chin got all raw. Now she has a scab on the left side of it while the rest is still just really red. =(

Everyone except me taking a break on the way down. David walked maybe half the way and Clay carried him on his back for the rest of the time. I think we were all ready to go at a quicker pace. =)

I'm so glad we finally got to do this. For me, being in the mountains is heaven. It doesn't matter how tired I am, I am happy and having fun being tired. I love it! We were so blessed that Sydney was such a good sport, and that David held up so well even after hiking about 4 miles(it was 8 total). We went out to eat at a little small town burger place afterwards and he was so hyper and jumping off the walls. That kid has so much energy. He didn't act like he was tired at all. He was just so enthusiastic about the whole thing that I'm even more excited now to take our family on hikes as they grow up. Though I have to say that the very next time we go hiking we might have to take a break from the kids and do it without them. =)