Webelos Hike

Sam needed to go on a 3 mile hike for one of his Webelos requirements.  We arranged a day with the other Webelos in the Pack and they hiked the Gorge.  Joel, Spring, Sam, Mary, Josh, and Gideon joined them on the hike.

Cub Scout Hike

We joined with the Cub Scouts on a 3 mile hike by the Gorge.  I love watching Sammy outside.  He loves to get dirty.  In fact he told me on the hike that if you aren't dirty then you aren't having fun.  If that is truly the case then Sammy ALWAYS has fun.  I was so impressed with Sammy on this hike as well.  We paired them up in the "buddy system" and Sammy's buddy was not nearly as quick or excited about hiking as Sammy is.  Sammy made sure to stay with and encourage his buddy the entire time.  There were even moments when his buddy would say he couldn't go anymore and Sammy would go to him, let him put his arm around Sammy's shoulders, and then walk with him up the hill.  Not a side of Sammy I always think of but a side that I am beginning to notice more and more.  Inside that rough and tumble all boy exterior is a heart that loves other people and wants to be a friend to everyone.

If there is something to climb...Sammy will climb it!

What These Kids do on a Day off From School

Thomas began working on the hiking merit badge last spring.  He tried and tried to get others from the troop interested in going with him on the hikes, but to no avail. So, once again, Joel gladly accompanied him for the first four 10 mile hikes.  Then summer hit which brought on his Eagle Project and life for the rest of us as well.  There were not spare weekends for his last 10 mile hike and his 20 mile hike so plans were put on hold.  The hold lasted longer than expected due to  our frigid and LONG winter.  Thomas was determined to earn this merit badge before the next Court of Honor in May. 

Last Friday he did not have school and he convinced Aunt Alanna to go with him on his last 10 mile hike.  She told him she didn't know if she would survive to which he matter-of-factly replied, "It's OK.  I've earned my 1st Aid Merit Badge."  Then he reassured her he would pack plenty of snacks for them as well.  Problem solved, in his mind!  Alanna agreed and Spring decided to accompany them as well.  They had a great time together and they all survived without any 1st aid assistance!

That evening Thomas and Spring decided they were going to use their day off school on Monday to do the 20 mile hike.  They mapped it out and were so excited.  I dropped them off at the trail head with their food, water, map, and smiling faces.  I sent a phone with them so they could check in with me throughout the day and so I could call when I began to get nervous too.  Throughout the day I would get phone call updates and each time they sounded chipper and happy.  About 7 hours later, I picked up 2 very tired and very happy kiddos!  I am so impressed with them.  To have the desire and the motivation to do something challenging is commendable.  For Spring to hike 20 miles in a day at 10 years old is amazing.  They said they have lots more admiration and respect for the pioneers now after hiking 20 miles in a day.  Highlights of their hike included almost stepping on a snake and seeing lots of deer.

Thomas has now earned the Swimming, Hiking, and Cycling Merit Badges.  I asked him which was the hardest of all and he still holds that swimming was the hardest for him.  

They were sunburned, sore, and starving, but full of smiles.  Grandma Powell asked me to take them out to dinner "on her" because she was so proud of their accomplishment.  They chose their favorite...Taco Bell!  I am so grateful Spring was willing and excited to go with Thomas...I don't know if I would have faired quite as well as they did!  So grateful for these two and the examples they are to their younger siblings, to their friends, and to me.

FHE Hike

Joel is with Thomas at 6th grade camp for the next few days so I decided to take the rest of the kiddos on a hike for Family Home Evening.  I struggle from about 4:00 in the afternoon until bedtime when Joel is not home because I miss him coming home and the break it gives me just knowing he is there to help me out.  This is the most difficult part of the day for me because we are trying to get homework completed, dinner served, younger ones occupied, bathtime, scripture reading, and finally bedtime.  So, when Joel is gone I like to plan something to help change things up a bit, more for me than the kids, so I don't dread these few hours as much.

 

After a quick dinner we drove out to the National Park.  I love how close it is and how much we enjoy our time there.  We went to a different part tonight than we have been to before.  Sammy, especially, loved it because there were so many rock formations to climb.  He is an amazing climber.  He climbs with ease and speed.  We all had a great time and it was really quite relaxing.  Gideon stuck with Spring the entire time.  Sometimes she gave him piggy back rides but most of the time he just wanted to walk right alongside her like a big boy.  It was a bit chilly but we had a great time and the kids came home ready for bed.

Backpacking

Last weekend Thomas went on his first backpacking trek.  He planned this trek so he could complete one of the requirements for the Camping merit badge.  They spent the last few patrol meetings planning the route, menu, etc for the trip.  He has been super excited for this weekend to come.  They hiked in the National Park for a total of almost 5 miles.  It was a short introduction to backpacking and Thomas loved it.  He wants to do more backpacking trips soon.  He said his highlight was the copperhead snake they found.  I am glad I was not there with them to find that!

Brandywine Falls

Yesterday afternoon we decided to take the kids into the National Park for a hike to Brandywine Falls.  We have not been to this waterfall yet so we seized the moment.  Although it was hot and extrememely humid we are so glad we went.  The hike to the falls is really short and fun.  Then we decided to continue on another trail for about 2 more miles.  Unfortunatley, our batteries on the camera died so we didn't get pictures from that part of the hike.  It was so pretty though and we were about the only ones on the trail. 

 

Toward the end of the trail there were steps we needed to go up that raised in elevation about 180 feet.  I was concerned it would be hard for the kids since they were hot, tired, and hungry so I told them real quick, "Hey, everyone count in your head how many steps there are and we will see how close we all are at the top."  You would have thought that was the coolest thing ever so they all took off up the steps.  Joshie was in the back with Joel and I and he started counting, "1, 2, 3" and then his shoe fell off so he had to stop to put his shoe back on and then said, "Let's start over."  So he went down the three steps and started again from the first step.  Joel and I laughed as he started climbing the steps. The first 15 steps or so were gung ho and his counting was very energetic and his pace fast.  Then he started to slow a little and counting wasn't quite so energetic.  He got to about step 24 and he was really starting to struggle as his poor little legs were getting really tired but he kept going.  Joel and I started counting out loud as he went up each step and he would repeat the number.  At step 36 his shoe fell off again and we laughed as he was about to say he needed to start over.  We assured him we knew where he was in his counting.  They all made it to the top with smiles and great attitudes...all 44 steps!

Grandma & Grandpa Biggs' Visit

We were fortunate to have Grandma & Grandpa Biggs come to visit us.  It was fun to show them around a little and have them spend time with us.  The kids all enjoyed being able to spend some special one-on-one time with them.  Games were played, cookies and treats baked, stories read, piggy back rides from Grandpa, hiking at Ledges (our favorite place to go hiking), climbing up ropes tied to trees, kites were flown, campfire and roasting marshmallows, storytime attended, and visiting Kirtland.  It was a week of memories and fun.  Thanks for coming to visit us.

Cub Scout Hike

We took the boys on a hike to Ledges today for cub scouts.  Only the MacPhersons and our family came but we had a great time with Stefanie, myself, and 10 kids.  Fortunately, Ryan was our navigator and got us to where we needed to be and back even though we didn't start the hike where we thought we were supposed to start the hike.  We were there for over 3 hours hiking about 3 miles and Joshie walked the entire way!  They had fun climbing the rocks, throwing rocks in the streams, going into ice box cave, and exploring in general.  We were saying we need to do this again when husbands can come and then have a picnic afterwards.

Ledges Hike

This afternoon we decided to go on a hike in the National Park.  Joel took the scouts on this hike last night during their campout and he was excited for our family to go.  It is called "Ledges" because there are some areas where there are ledges formed from the rocks that drop down 20 or more feet.  You can hike down and then walk through the small spaces formed from the rocks.  There is also "ice box cave" where the temperature drops at least 25 degrees as you get to the entrance and go inside.  We all enjoyed the hike.  It was beautiful.  And, Mary, was such a trooper walking the whole way even though she is not feeling well again.  That little girl is strong and works so hard to keep going when she wants to do something even if she doesn't feel so well.  I am sure we will return to this area because there are lots of other trails we could explore.

Fun Together

I loved our time together today.  We went to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park for a couple hours after lunch today.  The rangers had a free program about frogs for the kids and then we went for a walk in the national park.  The river was flowing VERY fast from all the snow runoff.  Joshie kept climbing on the wood railings and scaring this poor mother half to death.  I would hold onto his shirt, which he did not like, but I was scared he would topple right over.  He, of course, had no fear of it all.  The park looks so different from when we went hiking there last summer when Alanna and Eric were here because the trees are all still barren of leaves but it was great to be outside enjoying the time together.  The railroad runs through the park and you can go on a scenic train ride through the park (about 2 hours long).  The kids really want to do this and we told them we would take them sometime but we would rather do it in the summer or even fall when the leaves are changing colors and it will be prettier.  They think it would be fun to do when family comes to visit us.   After our time at the National Park we headed to a playground to run off more energy and enjoy the outdoors.  It is amazing how warm 55 degrees feels to us now!  After coming home the kids spent even more time outside before coming in for baths, stories, and bed.  Days like today really make me excited for the fun activities we can enjoy as the weather turns warmer in the coming months.

Lazy Day at Home

We were all really tired from our day at Lake Erie. Joel had to work so we all just stayed home and enjoyed time together. In the morning I took the Cub Scouts and Webelos on a 3 mile hike at Adell Durbin Park. Alanna came with me and so did all the other kiddos. It was fun seeing the boys' excitement and awe while on the hike. Mary and Sammy loved finding all the wild blackberries and eating them on the hike.

Alanna and I also made cupcakes for Spring's "Unbirthday Birthday." She wanted to be able to celebrate her birthday while Aunt Alanna and Uncle Eric were visiting. She was able to open her present from them (blow dryer, fun bandz, handheld mirror, and fun hair accessories). Spring currently LOVES dolphins and is reading a series entitled, "Dolphin Diaries", thus the whale (ie. dolphin) cupcakes.

We helped Spring and Mary make cute flip flops as well. Spring and Mary also enjoyed getting their nails painted by Aunt Alanna. Sammy was sure interested in the whole process. Thankfully he refused to get his painted this time. We are making progress! Sammy and Mary helped Aunt Alanna make chocolate chip cookies too. It has been so fun to have Eric and Alanna here with us exploring our new area and creating precious memories together.

Morning of Hiking

We went to the National Park that is less than 25 minutes from our home this morning. It is beautiful and we are so blessed to live close enough to enjoy it. We were amazed that there was no entrance fee into the park. We hiked to 2 different waterfalls. At the first waterfall the kids took off their shoes so they could play in the water. The trails were all well shaded but we were dripping wet from the heat and humidity. Mary was a little trooper. She hiked the entire way all by herself. She would climb over big logs and make her way on the rocks that crossed streams. Following the hiking we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park before heading home for naptimes! I love that there are so many opportunities at our doorstep to enjoy the beauty our Father in Heaven has created for us.