Last Thursday (two days after returning from California) we packed the car up again, picked Ben up from work again and drove up to the Tonto National Forest for four days of cool weather and fun times with friends.
It was so beautiful up there! The temperatures ranged from low 60's to low 70's. It was a nice break from hot Phoenix!
It rained almost every night. The first night we were there we had an incredible thunderstorm. I have never heard thunder this loud! We all sat in the Sitton's trailer and tried to distract the kids by playing Bible trivia.
Emma does not like thunder!
The next morning the sun was shining bright so the kids woke up early (5:45 am!) So we went for a bike ride before breakfast.
Travis, Randy & Susan made breakfast. We had bacon, eggs and biscuits and gravy.
The girls made some new friends and played with them all weekend. Their grandma had brought lots of crafts for the kids to do.
On Friday we went to a nearby lake. We intended to hike but it started to rain so we just walked around the lake then ran back to the car.
We sat in the car and chatted with our friends, Travis & Sarah, until the rain stopped. Then we walked out to the Mogollon Rim to have a very quick picnic lunch (it had started to rain again.)
The views were amazing!
That afternoon Emma was tired so she laid down in Susan & Randy's trailer to take a nap. It didn't last long and within 5 minutes she was up and playing with all the kids again.
That night we had chili made by the Shelbourns. I've never had chili that good before!
During dinner another storm rolled in so we went back to the trailer again for games. The kids laid in the bed and watched Princess Bride.
Saturday morning Emma slept in really late! Within the first 5 minutes of waking up she had a cup of milk and a piece of bacon in her hand. We do not go hungry when we camp with the Sittons!
Later that day we went for a hike to the Sinkhole. Charis & I thought that curvy tree was funny!
Emma yelled, "Mom! Take my picture!"
Then she fell. (I think it was on purpose.)
It was such a beautiful sunny & cool day.
We made it to the Sinkhole. It was very cool!
Becky, Sarah, Charis & I.
(This was after Travis tried to push me into the Sinkhole. But that's another story.)
We hiked down to the bottom where we saw these great big trees that had fallen down.
Everyone had fun climbing on them
We also saw some wild raspberry bushes.
We started to hike toward the rim.
But the clouds quickly rolled in.
And before we knew it, we were hiking in a downpour.
That night we had a steak fry and then gathered around the campfire to sing worship songs together. Our friends, the Sittons, have been camping with these families for 30 years or so. It was sweet to see the friendships of their generation and the new friendships of their children and grandchildren.
Emma found this beetle at our campsite. She put her in a cup and named her Amy. She tried to feed her cucumber and kept poking her with a stick. I think two of Amy's legs were broken so it was touch and go for awhile and she didn't make it though the night.
Sunday morning the kids helped to make yummy pancakes.
Emma was thrilled that there were so many dogs this weekend. She LOVES dogs!!!
Charis & her new friend Abby made a Minnie Mouse pancake then shared it.
One of the men led us in a devotional Sunday morning then we took communion together.
Ben helped to wash the dishes after breakfast. I had to snap a picture of Ben doing dishes with a nine millimeter strapped to his hip!
On the way home we saw these dark clouds rolling in. You just can't beat Arizona skies!
We drove through a little rain.
And the kids fell fast asleep!
We had such a wonderful weekend! Both girls asked when we could do it again!
