Fall Weekend in Flagstaff

Jeremy got an elk tag this year and so went on his very first hunting trip. We all drove up on the Thursday before the season started. He dropped the kids and me off at his parents' house and took off for his hunt area--west of Flagstaff near the border of the Coconino and Kaibab forests.

Honestly, I was a little worried for Jeremy's safety as he was out there alone. He camped Thursday night and rose early Friday (the first day of the hunting season) to hike after elk. We knew lots of hunters would be out, and I don't know how careful they all are . . . . and Jeremy is a newbie at guns and hunting.

Anyway, I was relieved when Scott and our friend James drove out to join Jeremy Friday night. Unfortunately they didn't come back with an elk--but they did all come back safely!

Meanwhile, the kids and I enjoyed the gorgeous weather, outings with Grandma, and visits with the aunts, uncles, and cousins. Dortha took us up to Snowbowl the first afternoon we were there, and oh, those aspens were beautiful!

The kids pretended to be Robin Hood and his men or knights errant in the forest as we hiked around a bit. Grandma allowed them to bring the swords and shields Aunt Linda made a few years ago. They were thrilled to carry them around and fight imaginary enemies!

Lydia and Josiah

 Lydia

 Josiah

Abby

Grandma led the kids around to find these fun forts people have made of logs, moss, and leaves in the forest:

And did I mention the aspens? In this particular area the trees had already lost most of their leaves . . . but the white trunks, spray of yellow, and blue sky--

Clara liked watching everything from my back. She was a trooper, despite missing both naps that day. It's nice having a pretty easy-going baby!

Grandma also initiated a game of throwing leaves:

Lydia decided to test out different rest spots along the way back to the car:

All three enjoyed climbing the boulders under a huge, spreading pine tree:

 Lydia

Abby and Grandma 

Abby                                                              

It was such fun to spend some leisurely time with the cousins! We went over to Justin and Anna's house one night and Em and James' another morning. I got some sweet cuddle time with Cedar, who was two and a half months old that weekend. Clara was jealous and did not want her cousin monopolizing her mama!

Despite some rough nap times and nights, Clara had fun at Grandma's. She loved trying out the stairs every chance she got! We had to get out Pa's handcrafted barricade. She was startled by Shashy when we first arrived and so was quite scared of her for a while. But by Sunday Clara would crawl after her, laughing and trying to grab at her tail. So we ended up needing to protect Shashy from Clara (and from Lydia's over-zealous ministrations of guidance and affection; that girl is a dog-lover!).

Clara and Grandma 

Despite Jeremy's disappointment in hunting, we had a fun weekend with everyone in Flagstaff!