Backpacking!

Another epic trip up the mountain...this year was Ben's first!  We hiked 6 miles in to the Wallawa mountains the first day, camped, and then day-hiked into Lakes Basin, 3 miles straight up.  We played there all day, and then headed back down to camp...the next morning it was up and out of the mountains.  A total of 18 miles.  My kids were little troopers!  Sara and Ben were wearing regular backpacks without any waist support so they had less weight, but were still packed solid!  Kayte started out with a 14 lb. pack (before water, and the tent that she packed all the way back down the mountain), and Will's weighed in at 22 lbs, before we added water and some extra food.  They were crazy-amazing!  I was so proud of them!!

Bustin' it.

Rock climbing!

Camp!

Grace under fire.  Cooking food.

Mom pre-made all the dinners for us, Hawaiian chicken and spaghetti.  I cannot tell you how good that stuff tastes after hiking up a mountain.  Five Stars.

It was pretty warm.  We used the fire as a shield from the bugs, rather than the cold.

A little Patrick McManus by the fire.

View from my tent the next morning.  Sunrise on the mountains.

One of the "bridges" on the pathway.

The kids were pretty excited to not have to carry a pack the second day.

Lakes Basin.  So beautiful!

 

Very very cold water...but this girl loved to play in it!

Joe and Will had headed up to the lake before us to catch us some lunch...success!

 Sara wanted to get in on the hair washing.  It was insanely cold to the head.  I was the guillotinist.

Lunch.

Aunt Julie and Cousin Bobby came along with us this year!  We loved that!

Cup o' noodles.  Eating light food.

Learning to fly fish.

Lunch on the edge of a cliff.

Chef Joe.

Ben found a shady place for a nap.  He was out cold for at least an hour.

More fishing.

Sleeping in the pine needles.

Digging for snacks.

These are the moments that nearly kill me.  Sitting on the edge of a cliff looking over at a waterfall.  This pic still makes me feel like my insides are gonna fall out.

Grape koolaid.

Hiking out.

Another "bridge".

Dinner.  So. Good.

The whole crew. The last morning.

Will's pack.  So insane!!

This guy packed in over 40 lbs. this year.  Including my pillow and a can of Diet Coke just for me.  Two sleeping bags, an 8 lb. tent, Ben's clothes, and dinner food.  Along with his own gear.  And all the fishing gear to cook us up some fresh mountain fish.  He's the best.

What a good year!



Grill-off 2014

Started several years ago, as a contest between the Sawyers and the Casebolts, this thing has gone off the hook!  Joe and I got to be judges this year for the first time ever, and I tell ya, that is the best seat in the house.  

A little sampling of our tasting menu:



Judges.

Winner.

Friends.

The Dessert Contest.

The Organizer.

Thanks to Heather for another amazing event!  And the Casebolt family for hosting it on their beautiful lawn.  It was unforgettable!!

Just another mind-blowing sunset....

Pictures never do it justice.



Just the facts, ma'am.

Kayte:  Ben, you are soo cute!!

Ben:  Yeah, I know!  ....everyone I have ever met has told me that.

Winner Winner, Jamm's for Dinner

Last week was the LAX tournament and the wrap-up of the season!  We were super-pumped.  Ben had a preliminary game on Thursday and it was a crushing loss, but we got up on Saturday ready to win!  Ben had a consolation game, and Will had a championship game, so we started our day with a little Queen.

Ben's team walked away from the field with a 6-1 win, and Will with a hard-fought 5-2W.  This was Will's first trophy since his first year at age 6, and I'm pretty sure I wanted it more than he did, if that was possible :)  And the upside to winning a consolation game:  you might be third place, but at least you get to end the season with a win.  And at 6, I think that might be all that matters :)

Little Ben:

The victors!  :)

 

Will's team was pretty much awesome.  There is so much talent on that team, I cannot wait to match it with the talent on their opposing team when they get to junior high....I'm pretty sure it's gonna be epic.

 

My girls always entertain themselves by selling lemonade and brownies.  Since we moved to the country, it is their one opportunity at this little bit of childhood Americana, and they never miss a game.

To the victors go the spoils.  So proud of my little athletes!!