hiking fever

since hiking in sedona was oh so fun, we decided to utilize the good weather down here in the valley and go hike south mountain. we were able to go with grandma and grandpa johnson, aunt lynae, aunt kitty, and cousins cole and rory. we took a back-route that is near phil and lynn's old home. the hike was easy and flat, but when we got to the base of south mountain these beautiful rocks jutted out for us to play on and rest against. and that meant time for a picnic and playing!


while we pulled out lunch, ken and otho decided to climb up onto the boulders. images are much higher than they appear in this picture. we could barely see them...they were a small speck. and they thought that was totally awesome to be so high.


ellie and lynn eating lunch.


abe and cole eating lunch...although i must admit that half of their lunch ended up in the sand because they distract each other and stop eating.


after lunch ken climbed the rocks with all three boys. they spent most of their time up on that boulder, throwing large rocks down and watching them smash into smithereens. that gives a new meaning to the title: smash lab.


rory and ellie did not want to be left behind, so they went up on a small boulder. they're so stinking cute.

we sure had fun climbing on rocks and hiking as a family. i wish phoenix weather would never change so we could do this all year long.

and i never thought i'd say it - but i think the desert is one of the most beautiful places on earth. i have fallen in love with the arizona landscape.