Our Annual "Mile Hike"

We discovered this "Mile Hike" back when Tyler was 6 months old. We loved it so much that we have made it a yearly traditional hike for our family. Its been fun looking back on the photos of each years hike and notice how much the kids have grown and still how much they love the outdoors. Tyler is beginning to remember the hike more each year and we love listen to him reflect back on the previous years. It's located up the Mt. Rose HYWY. Its so pretty up there and it seems to be just the perfect little hike for our family. With all the tiny little legs trotting behind us and walking our 5 month old puppy this "Mile Hike" took us 2 hours to hike. We try to make the most of it. Let the kids climb the rocks, pick a collection of Pine Cones, enjoy the rushing water under the bridge, and search for Butterflies in the near by bushes.


I LOVE my little men!!!







Daddy took some time to sit down and write in his journal. It was cute to hear him read parts of his journal to Tyler.



Bradley did really well. He loved being with us and was very protective if anyone else walk by us. I think today we really discovered his protective bark. His bark is quit deep and bold for a little puppy. I cant imagine him being full grown. He did so good on the leash and was super eager to get back to the car for a good long nap. This hike was a little much for such a low active kind of dog. But for him to be with us we noticed was worth all the effort he devoted in this hike. He LOVED it. It was so cute to see him whine and get really worried and protective if I and the kids ever got off trail. He did not like that. He had to be aware of us the whole time. I just love him to pieces, such a great family dog.


Partners in crime. It cracked us up as we discovered both younger boys watering the bushes together while pretending to put out an imaginary fire. Boys will be boys. Every year we come here... we always find them somewhere along the trail marking their teritory. Good thing Tyler can hold it a little longer hes beginning to be a little old for this clever little game.



A terrible attempt for a nice family photo. The angle was terrible on Perry and I and Bradley our puppy kept falling off the rock and clobbering us. This was about as good as it got this year. Theres always next year right!

You know you're comming to the end of the trail when daddy has one of the boys on his shoulders and someone always trips and face plants it in the dirt. This year it was Trevor's turn to eat dust. Poor little man he got all scratch up, but daddy was able to make it all better with a great big hug and words of comfort. Its not a "True" traditional hike if there isnt some kind of drama along the way. But like always Perry and I work good as a team and have learned to just embrace the chaos and enjoy the experience. Our favorite family line is " It's all part of the experience" we got that off of the classic "Christmas Vacation" Movie. I think we tell the kids that more then they like through out all our family adventures. But it sure is true.


Next year our littest man will join us in our "Annual Mile Hike" We cant wait to introduce him to our summer tradition.