Girls' camp

Bekah and Ana both got to go to girls' camp this year, so we spent a quiet four days (July 23-26) at home while they went to Camp Cumorah. They did miss the stake pioneer day dinner, but you've got to go camping when there are camping spots available!

Miriam, Winnie and cousin Oakley walking in the children's pioneer walk at the St. Leon building. It was nice being able to reuse the older girls' trek clothes.

I rode on Seth's coattails and got to attend bishop's night with him. It was great seeing our girls (both from our family and from our ward).

 Seth braiding Sister Bare's hair. "It's okay that I do this," he announced to all the Young Women. "Sister Bare and I went to kindergarten together." (Sister Bare is a very good sport.)

 Rebekah playing a game with the young women.

Ana and Bekah during the game.

Couple selfie at girls' camp.

Summer hike #3: Bannock Trail

The girls worked hard cleaning out the shed in the back yard and completing other chores in order to earn their lift ticket for this nearly 4-mile hike at Grand Targhee on Friday, July 19.

Seth was on a work trip, so my parents, the girls and I drove to the ski resort, purchased our lift tickets, and boarded Dreamcatcher. On our way up, I realized that I had done us all a disservice by neglecting to check the weather forecast. Whereas our other hikes were on sunny, warm days, this hike would take place on an overcast, cool day. And when you're riding a ski lift, that becomes quickly apparent.

Miriam was the only one who had thought to bring a hoodie. She shared it with Winnie on the way up, but reclaimed it at the top. We turned right at the top of the lift so we could see the Tetons and Tablerock, but everyone started complaining about how cold they were. It's a good thing we brought Grandma Scott along, because she was actually prepared. She divvied out her Hot Hands, jacket and space blanket to the girls. After everyone was more comfortable, we hiked from the top of the lift back down to the parking lot.

 Andrea comforting Miriam (who doesn't like heights) and cuddling Winnie (who was freezing).

Another view of us on the chair lift.

 Checking out a rock chuck during a group photo.

 Bekah, Ana, Grandpa Scott, Winnie, Miriam and Grandma at the summit.

 Hiking back down the summit. Grandma had lent Ana her jacket, and Andrea was trying to share her body heat with Winnie.

Then Winnie borrowed the jacket. 

Ana's thorough space blanket coverage. 

 Hiking down through wildflowers.

Ana making lips out of a peach ring while eating lunch at the bottom of the trail.

Summer hike #2: Beaver Pond Trail

After our successful first hike, we knew we couldn't wait too long for the next one. It had been six years since we did the 5.2-mile Beaver Pond Trail in Yellowstone, so we headed north on Thursday, July 11.

Seth was working, so we filled the van with my four girls, my parents and me.

 Grandma Scott, Bekah, ana, Andrea, Winnie and Miri at the trailhead by Liberty Cap in Mammoth.

Clearing a rock out of my hiking boot. 

Winnie taking the road less traveled. 

 Sweet sisters holding hands when the trail is wide enough.

Lunch break photo. 

 Coming back through the sagebrush.

Enjoying well earned ice cream.

Summer hike #1: Lake Marie

We had wanted to get both sets of our parents to hike this 9-mile trail in Island Park for years. Finally the stars aligned and we got everyone together on Saturday, July 6. We wanted to hike this one early in the hiking season so the lake (completely fed by runoff) would still be there. We needn't have worried; many parts of the trail were still under snow.

We left Miri and Winnie home for this one, but we brought our four-legged companion with us.

 Coming to a patch of snow.

 Frozen water in the trail.

 Peach saw/heard/smelled some kind of critter by this tree. It was driving her crazy.

 Stopping for a snack and a view.

 Susan and Dennis.

 Peach, Andrea, Ana, Seth, Bekah.

 Seth falling in the snow.

 Ana "skiing" (?) down a patch.

 Grandma Scott and Bekah.

 Some fossils Ana found.

Dennis, Susan, Annette, Andrea.

 Ana and the lake.

The place where we usually sit to each lunch was completely under water/snow. 

The fossils/crystals/cool rocks Ana found. 

 Bekah and Peach stopping for lunch by the lake.

 Our dog is so patient while the girls torment her.

Putting our feet in the glacial creek to see who will withdraw first. Seth did. Followed by Dennis. (I think they were humoring me.) 

 Ana sliding down on her backside after losing her footing. Poor girl landed on the little stream at the bottom of the hill.

On our way out.

Trek

The Idaho Falls East Stake held a pioneer trek this year, and they invited all youth ages 12-18 on it. I was quite jealous that my older two girls got to go, along with my parents who were in the history committee (hence all these great pictures). They left Thursday, June 27 and came back on Saturday, June 29.

From what I heard (and saw), the girls worked hard and had a great time. And I'm trying to figure out how to get on the list for the next trek four years from now. 

Ana working with her group to get a marble to the bucket.

 Ana with her friends.

 Rebekah playing the recorder; her friend Sam playing the melodica.

 Ana during the women's pull.

 Bekah during the women's pull. The men weren't allowed to touch the carts, but they could push on the girls' backs, hold their hands and pull them up the hill, etc.

Ana and her friend during the square dancing. 

A sisters' grand finish. 

Ana and Grandma Scott. 

 Bekah at the dancing.

 Ana hauling bedding.

Bekah pushing her family's cart.