Our Ward Family Campout

On Sept. 21st, we drove up to Payson for our yearly ward campout. This was actually the first time I have ever camped with Curt and the boys. He usually takes them while I stay home because either: A) I'm pregnant (which I am NOT right now!)
B) we have a wee baby that I don't want to camp with
C) or because I need some "mommy" time and a break
from the two older boys
I decided it would be fun to go this time and make some memories with my boys. Our first camping experience as a family of five was pretty much what I had expected. I had a feeling that Jake wouldn't sleep very well in the tent, which he did NOT. He woke up several times during the night screaming his head off, while in the meantime, waking up his brothers, who then started crying because he woke them up. Sounds like great fun, eh? That was a loooong night, but once the sun finally came up, we were ready to go hiking and explore a bit. After the men cooked up a yummy breakfast, we packed up and headed to the service project. We have a kid in the ward who is working on his Eagle, so most of us pitched in to help that morning. We were to dig up this plant called Star Thistle (I think) which is actually taking over the other wild plants in the area and causing a lot of problems. Luke and Ty had fun playing in the stream alongside the pasture that we were weeding. I'm sure I was a sight to behold. I was so sore the next couple of days from digging up those weeds with the shovel, all the while with a 25 lb. brick (aka Jake) strapped to my back. It was a lot of work, but very fun and rewarding. As always when I travel, I was glad to be home.

Our tent was nestled in the trees just above the stream.

On our drive home from Payson, I looked back to find Luke holding Jake's hand as he was falling asleep. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen! Luke is such a gentle and loving big brother to Jake...and Jake thinks the world of Luke. His little face lights up whenever he sees Luke.

Awww...