Halloween and a Hoogee Hike

Halloween week was so jam packed I am glad it is over. The kids had a tone of fun at our ward Trunk or treat on Thursday. Then Friday on Halloween Jonathan's a class had a party. It was also career day. Jonathan was lucky enough to have his daddy come and show his friends what he does for work. Here is a picture of Jonathan and some of his friends. These 4 boys became fast friends on the first day of school.

Then that night we went to the Sanders house and did our trick-or-treating. They had a fun set up in there front yard. They had Halloween cartoons playing on a projector on there garage. We had yummy food and great company. I think it was a very successful night.

Super Mario and Indiana Jones. Jonathan always has fun with Noah. It is funny because Noah doesn't always remember Jonathan's name so he calls him best friend. :)

Courtney swears these two are going to get married. They are pretty cute together.

Katelyn is a glitter witch I sprayed her hair black she loved it.

I was a last minute hippy thanks to my mom.

When we got home the kids and I went through their candy. They picked out a small bag of candy they wanted to keep. With the rest we put it in a big witch Calderon and left it there for the Pumpkin King to come and take. He comes to our house and leaves a small gift for each kid in place of their candy. They were way excited to wake up and see what they got. I am just glad the candy is away. We don't need anymore cavities in this house.

We got to bed pretty late then had to be up at 5:30am to get ready for our hike. I haven't been to Hoogee's in like 13 14 years. It brought back a tone of great memories that I was able to share with my family. We even planned our own camping trip while up there. we had so much fun.

Before we started the hike.



Maybe the only time he walked on his own for a long period of time.

At the camp site. The kids loved this spot. It was there own little fort. I can remember me and my cousins trying to camp out here. We were a bit away from the rest of the family. I know I chickened out and ended up back in my safe tent. :)


They are trying to build a pretend fire. Jonathan, Katelyn and Braden are collecting the wood.


I went down to the water to find some salamanders like old times. I remember them being easier to find. I could only find two. They are so easy to catch. Jonathan was excited to hold one.

Here is our group.

The kids were troopers. It is a round trip 5 mile hike. Jonathan made it all the way there and back with not much of a complaint. Katelyn made it there and 3/4 of the way back before some one had to carry her for a bit. Braden he was kind of a pain he sat on Papa's shoulders most of the way up and in Matt or my arms the way back. I had a little accident while holding Braden on the way back I slipped on a rock while crossing the water. I slipped on a rock with Braden headed right for a big rock. I turned and fell on my elbow. I took a pretty hard hit my arm is pretty sore still. On the way back Jonathan walked through the water without a thought of keeping dry. He kept telling us he was a real hiker walking through the water. All in all it was a great family day. We were even talking about doing a back pack trip this spring. We will make it an annual thing just like we use to. I think we will call it, "The Annual Memorial to Uncle Ron Hoogee backpacking trip" Who is up for it?