N8 and the 4 little backpackers!

Because the 4th of July fell on a Friday, N8's flex was on a Thursday. He decided to take the kids, all of the kids, on a little backpacking trip. They left Thursday about 1pm and headed toward Lone Pine to grab walk-in permits for the Cottonwood Lake trail. Luckily there were still 5 available for them.

Everyone carried a pack. Emma, Mo and Henry carried day packs that had their sleeping bag and water. Benjamin and N8 had backpacking packs, each with a 2 man tent, sleeping bag, food and other gear.

Apparently things got off to a rough start when Henry, who wanted to hike holding N8s hand threw off his balance and N8 got a good gash in his knee (luckily part of the great was a first-aid kit!).

Then the hike was on:

They hiked in 2 miles to the first stream crossing and made camp.

Dehydrated dinners of mac & cheese, lasagna and pasta were for dinner:

N8, Emma and Henry stayed in one tent and Mo & Benjamin stayed in another:

In the morning they hiked another mile to "Secret Lake"-it's unnamed, so they called it "Secret Lake". The water is visibly quite low due to the drought this year:

The water is typically up to where grass is. The kids are standing in the lake!

It sounds like Henry did a great job, but was burned out on the hike back down. Benjamin carried his pack and N8 said he took babysteps most of the way. But he did it!!

They made it back home around 3pm and quickly showered and got gear put away!

I enjoyed shopping with my friend Megan at Walmart & Marshalls, then dinner at Bernadinos and a movie. I slept in this morning and then watched Austenland while a made a baby blanket for a baby shower this next week!

Handlys take Zions 2014-part 4, the final day

Half of our crew woke up at the crack of dawn to head to the visitors center and catch the bus to hike Angels Landing. Nate and Benjamin from my family went. I think Emma could have done it, but she decided to stay back and play with cousins.

I put together a slide show from family reunions and it has been requested that Imagine Dragons "On Top of the World" be the song during the Angels Landing pictures. You are truly on top of the world from the looks of it!

The rest of us did some crafting, fishing and Slip 'n slide!

We caravaned back home with the Quain's again catching a family shot before we left!

I came home sore, tired and with wonderful memories. Building the bonds within the family is so important. I want my children to now their Aunts, Uncles and cousins. I can't wait to see where we go in 2 years!

Handlys take Zions 2014-part 3

Friday morning N8 and I made breakfast burritos for the family. Each family was assigned one breakfast or dinner. Lunches were on our own, or leftovers.

After breakfast we headed to Canyon Overlook Trail. This is a 1/2 mile each way, easy access and beautiful hike! We all enjoyed the beautiful views and the great picture taking possibilities!

 

We then headed to the checkerboard lookout for a cousin photo:

We headed back to the ranch for lunch and for my sisters family to arrive. Then it was off to what the majority of the family deems "Favorite Activity of the Reunion!" Zions Narrows!

Here's the crew before headed in!

Myself, sister, brother in law and 3 of the kiddos didn't venture in (next time!) and slowly made our way back letting the boys play in the water:

 

The rest of the crew made their way up the canyon enjoying the Narrows!

Once everyone made it back it, we spent the evening having dinner, visiting, more family pictures and some snake killing!!

Just as the Carlsons were getting ready to take a family picture Carol saw a snake in the grass. Mark looked for a shovel and found an ax, taking care of it. There was some discussion on what kind of snake it was, but either way I was happy it was gone!

 

While the parents had a little meeting to discuss the next reunion as well as working on our own family history, the older grand-kids got the fire started for smores!

And more playing and games!

The next morning would be our last and earliest for about 1/2 of the crew, leaving at 5:30am!