Escape

Do you ever have those days when you just want to escape reality for a while? Maybe it's completely irresponsible of me, but I love having a flexible enough schedule that the kids and I (and sometimes Ty) can just throw schedule and routine to the wind and go with the flow, make up our minds as the day or our moods determine, and just LIVE. Thursday was one of those days. I knew as soon as I woke up that I was going to escape the humdrum of life and go have an adventure. Carter and Taylee were most definitely on board with me and it didn't take much persuasion to get Tyson on too.

Carter is ALL about exploring and adventures, so we decided to head into the Uinta Mountains via the entrance to Timpanogos Cave National Monument (which opens in one week!) From there, we just went where the wind and our whim directed. By late afternoon, we had hiked four trails, stopped for two sack lunches/snacks, filled 2 bags of treasures, and crossed innumerable bridges (Carter's favorite). The fresh mountain air and space to breathe and be alone was just what we needed. The season doesn't officially start until the 9th, so it was pretty much just our little family everywhere we went...us and nature...what a perfect day. So perfect, that as we left we decided to buy a year pass to National Parks.

And he's off...
As soon as we parked and he could get his seatbelt off, Carter was out exploring

Bridges
and trails with streams running throughtall forests
and big rocks shaped like pirate ships
secret hide-aways that double as forts
and a spot to rest in the shade
islands that you can only get to
by crossing over a stream on a log
and long windy trails with great walking sticks
turns out Dad has better taste in walking sticks than Mom (and Carter's becoming quite the photographer...)

Dads like to explore as well

Secret pow-wow with Daddy
skipping rocks
Climbing mountains
that end up being a little too steep


Getting use out of new shovel and rake for another favorite pastime...digging

And lots of sightseeing...
"What do you see through your backwards binoculars, Taylee?"

"Bears"

Lots of treasures

All tuckered out...
sweet dreams, my little explorer

Random pic...but just too darn cute to not include. I just love these two SO MUCH.

Thanks, Carter and Tay for filling our lives with so much joy and excitement and reminding us of life's simple pleasures.