Pioneer Trek Part 2

We had about 700 people in attendance from our Stake.

We crossed this creek a total of 3 times and it just kept turning into a slog hole.  Brig stayed back to help others through -over and over.

Ah- me and my pioneer man!  He makes that torn up hat look good!

Catching some shade.

We had some relay races and cheating aside- our family won. Pie eating contest.

As we were standing in line to head down a hill- we had some down time, so they took a rope off of the wagon and made a jump rope.  Our bishop even jumped for a bit.

Our family hard at work.

All of our Ma's- great ladies!

Our family carried a baby on the trek- he represented an actual child that crossed the plans.  I love this picture of Brig taking his turn- he also has a rope around him as he was the lead pull.  He was singing the baby a song as he marched along- something about how it was dusty and he would find a creek to wash the baby in- sooo cute.

On the final day- we read that two of the babies in our group passed away and we had to leave them behind. It was very emotional.  Our baby didn't die- but our Pa did (in the story)- it was heart breaking all the way around.

It was an amazing experience.  I am so glad that we got to go.  I loved being there with my amazing husband, walking along holding hands and experiencing it all with our two oldest.  They are great kids full of determination and fortitude.  Also loved being there with the rest of our youth and especially my young women- they are the best around.  We are very blessed!

Pioneer Trek

Brigham, Brig, Katry and I were privileged to join our stake for a pioneer trek.  We were so blessed to have my Dad, Mom and Grandma come up and watch our other kiddos so that we could go.

We got to be Ma & Pa with our own two kids and nine other youth.  We are very blessed with awesome youth in our ward.

This was the women's pull- where the men couldn't help because they had been called to serve in the Mormon Battalion.

Katry has the blue bonnet and I am in the green.  We worked it!

Brig caught two snakes.  This little one.

Which everyone held.

And this big one- which everyone ate.  It bit into a kids shirt and they couldn't get it to let go so they chopped it's head off, skinned it, and cooked it.  

It actually tasted just fine with a lot of salt and pepper.

Katry liked it too!

Brig helped out in our ward skit and was quite the ham.

To finish up the evening we had a great devotional.  The Spirit is the finest feeling!

Alaskan Adventure: Day 7 Victoria B.C.

We had a short stop in Canada- so we took a walk downtown.  We passed by a great park and had fun climbing this perfect climbing tree and playing tag on their big playground.

There were lots of street performers and street artists.  We love to watch them in action.

These guys were our favorite street performers.  Always looking for something to climb on, over, or under.

The next morning we were back in the port in Seattle and enjoyed a beautiful drive home through Washington and Montana.  Heavenly Father has surely given us a beautiful world to enjoy!  We are so blessed to have seen so much of it!  Alaska was a most excellent Adventure!

Alaskan Adventure: Day 6 Ketchikan

We had so much fun in Ketchikan.  Dad, Katry and Seth rose bright and early to head to their own zip line adventure.  They also had a ropes course to master.  They left so early we couldn't find the camera for them to take- but we do have video.  They had a blast.

When they finished up we met them in town for a fun Lumberjack Show.  The pole climb was our favorite.  He scaled up unbelievably fast.  Afterwords we strolled around the town.  There were so many beautiful sights- just wish we had our camera with us.

When got back on the ship- Tron was showing so we viewed a fun flick.  Another great day!

Alaskan Adventure: Day 5 Glacier Bay

The next day we spent in Glacier Bay.  You are surrounded on all sides by mountains and glaciers.  It was so wonderful to just take it all in and fill your soul with such beauty.

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.  ~George Washington Carver

Alaskan Adventure: Day 4 Skagway

Our next stop was Skagway.

Its a charming little town with wooden walkways.  Quaint and woodsy at the same time.  

Laini was clearly not impressed our little jaunt mercifully put her out. Travelling can be hard on the little tykes.

These guys are pros at it though.  They are always up for adventure.

We hopped on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway for a scenic tour.

It was breathtakingly beautiful.  We love the mountains.

We were also very lucky to have a train car almost entirely to ourselves.

So we could do things like this,

And goof off like this- with plenty of wiggle room and no one minded.

This is at the top of the pass where the train made a loop and went back down.

In front of a train.  The kids all put pennies on the track and picked them up later for a nice cheap souvenir.  Don't worry- we also got lots of sweatshirts, t-shirts, etc.  

Our home away from home and the beautiful mountains.  A perfect day!