Okay, I've decided I'm going to blog about our summer! I'm going to start with Colorado. This was the one trip that Gabe had been looking forward to since Sadie was born and I had been dreading since he first mentioned it. Gabe loves the mountains and he loves backpacking. Real backpacking! He has wanted to take Sadie since we found out we were pregnant (he was actually snowshoeing when I found out!) so I knew I wasn't going to get out of it. I was very anxious about it and nervous, but God totally took care of us and I am so glad that I went.
We ended up going with a pretty big group. Our friends Les and Jenny and their girls Hannah and Sarah went. Then their friends Leslie and Kristie went. Then Leslie's brothers Jimmy and Corbin, and then their friends Ross and Reagan. Whew! Did you get all that. Anyway, Leslie rented a BEAUTIFUL cabin outside of Pagosa Springs. Words can not even describe it so I'm not going to try, but it was breath taking. We left on a Saturday morning and drove up there. About 20 minutes outside of Pagosa Springs, our car broke down. That was the not so fun part of the trip, but we got it towed and it was fixed by the time we left so I'm not going to dwell on that. We spent Sunday and Monday at the cabin just hanging out, reading books, going on hikes, visiting with each other, and eating great food. Jenny is a great cook and planned out all of our meals. Gabe is a great cook too and helped out in the kitchen. Leslie's mom also made very yummy breads and baked goods. It was so great. I trully believe that God put us together to go on this trip and to spend time with each other. I was so blessed just to sit and listen to wise people. It was a very relaxing trip, but at the same time, I think I was thinking the whole time. Just comments that people would make or conversations that would go on, I know God was at work in me. I don't think I have figured out exactly everything that was going on yet, but I trust he will show me. Maybe that's the big thing I got from the trip was that God WILL show me what he wants me to know. I just have to trust that he will and listen.
So, on with the backpacking. We headed out early Tuesday morning. We all drove to the trail head. We went to the Weminuche Wilderness. (Hope that is spelled right.) We started out on the trail and had an almost immediate detour. I never thought there would be a detour sign in the wilderness, but there was. We headed down this different trail and it was very muddy and steep. I was trying not to think about the fact that we were going to have to come back up it to get out. I was so worried and nervous about how Sadie would do in the backpack, not getting naps, a little off her schedule, etc. Of course, she did great! She absolutely loved the backpack. She loved just looking out at everything. She also liked looking down at the ground. She would eat whenever we stopped and fell asleep when she was tired. I think she also liked all the sounds, but also the quietness of it. Gabe kept saying that he really thought that there was just something about her being in nature that was just calming. I have to agree. All of the people that were with us were so great too. They just loved on her the whole time and were so encouraging.
The hiking for me was pretty good. I loved seeing everything and being able to be with Sadie. I'm not going to say that it was easy. It definitley was not, but I survived and now that I have had time to think about it, I would do it again. And just to let you know, going out (up the detour) was not good, but Gabe was a great encouragement to me and got me through it.
Camping was an experience with Sadie. She was tired, but couldn't get comfortable so she didn't sleep very good which means that we didn't sleep very good. I was glad that we decided to stop before everyone else and camp because she was not quiet during the night and I don't think anyone would have slept good near us.
It was just a really great trip and I am so grateful that our family was invited and that I didn't let my apprehensions keep me from going. I can not say enough about the wonderful, Spirit led people that God has brought into our lives and has put in place to have an influence on me and Gabe and also on Sadie. I just continue to pray that God will work in me and help me to really hear him.
I've posted a few of the pictures. Hopefully, I can post some more later. We had some great photographers on the trip so I'll share some of those a little later.
Sadie and Daddy, hanging out in the tent!
Sadie and I are both worn out after the first day of hiking.
Our family posing in the wilderness.
Hannah and Sarah with Sadie eating breakfast before we headed out.
Sadie and Gabe cooking breakfast in the cabin.
We were also visited by our good friends Ryan and Angela. It was so good to see them.
Okay, I know this is a picture of the back of her head, but I just love her little curls. 
She has a little book that has a picture with a mirror on it where she can see herself. One of her new favorite things to do is to give herself a kiss.
Sadie is also fascinated with cell phones. She will put her hand or whatever she is holding up to her ear like she is talking on the phone if she sees anyone talking on the phone. She has the camera case in the picture, it's kind of hard to see. 
Sadie playing on the floor. I just love her big smile!
We tried on a hat we found. She was modeling for us! Actually she was trying to take it off. She does not really like to leave things on her head or bows in her hair. We are working on that because Mama loves bows!
Our friend, Rachel, bought Sadie a "cowboy yo-yo" at the fair this week. It is actually a water balloon with a rubber band attached, but she LOVES it. Almost as much as she loves the remote control ,which we don't let her have, so she is very excited when she gets to play with the 
Gabe and Rachel with the kids!
Gabe and Sadie with the corn dog!
All of us together!
