Dinosaurs and camping.

When the men take the kids hiking,  I don't want to know what happens. 

No animals were hurt in this picture.

Pink floaty.

Every year there is a, "Manly Hike" undertaken by the men, (I use that term lightly) in the Tipton family.  Actually, anyone over the age of 8 (sometimes 10, depending on the difficulty of the hike) can go.  I haven't gone, yet.  Maybe someday I will if it means I get to use the pink floaty!

Brain Freeze!

Last week, after our adventurous hike up to Thumb Butte, we stopped by Whataburger to fill our bellys.  Each kid ordered either a malt or a shake which required the brain freeze test/competition. 

I think Jake won.  He's the one holding his head.  This game was played over and over.  Simple pleasures.

Scott's Reservoir.

On Labor day we went to Scott's Reservoir up in Pine Top/Lakeside with Rick's other brother and his family.  We took canoes and canoed (is that a real word?) across the lake to and hiked for at least 30 minutes to a hole in the ground called the, "Ice Cave". 

On our way to the ice cave. 

Love the green.

Did I say how much I love the green?  I do, lots!

  Now this is what I call, "A hole in the ground!"  Even at the opening, the air was at least 20 degrees cooler....though no ice in sight. 

Truman climbing into a tight spot.  Who dresses that kid anyway?

My sister-in-law, Jamie, and I getting ready to descend to the muck and murk of the ice cave.

The happy group. Truman is holding his breath....I'm so proud.

Rick and Scott.

Walking back to the canoes.

Heading back from where we came.

Loved this trip!

Thumb Boo-tay anybody?

We took off to the north this weekend.  After the hottest August on record, we decided we needed some relief from the heat and headed up to Prescott and Show Low to visit Rick's brothers and their families.  On Saturday, we went on a "hike" to Thumb Butte.  Of course we couldn't say it correctly, and had to pronounce it Thumb Boo-tay.  It made the hike better that way.  When I say hike, I mean it in the loosest terms!  It was a hike for about 40 minutes, then it became a rock climbing adventure.  I much preferred the rock climbing. 

See what I mean?  Jay and Heather are figuring out how to make it up to the top.  There is no more trail. 

I found a mountain goat just above me.  His name happens to be Quinn. 

Rick and the boys made it to the top. 

Our group. 

Okay, come on, who would deny a boy his business from up top?  All boys under 18 in this group preformed this feat.  What can a mom do but take a picture from the back? 

Going down.  Serious rock climbing, I tell you.