One of our must-dos for the trip was to see some real fall colors. Grammy suggested hiking around Cascade Springs, and it worked out to be the perfect fall color experience… at least in theory. Sometimes I wonder why we go to all the trouble to plan fun and interesting outings, thinking the kids will be overwhelming grateful for such cool parents and will therefore be cheery and pleasant the entire time. This rarely ever works out! Someone is cranky, someone is hungry (well, can’t really blame Meredith), someone’s stomach hurts, someone is bored in the car, someone touched someone else’s leg… it never ends! And yet, we carry on.

We enjoyed a pleasant drive up Provo Canyon, past Sundance and through the Uinta National Forest until we reached Cascade Springs. Everyone was happy on the drive and the views were breathtaking.

Cascade Springs was the perfect kid and baby friendly “hike,” with a boardwalk, colorful trees and babbling brooks and bridges galore.

S and A pretended they were bear hunting.

Meredith enjoyed views from the top.

One of the twins’ favorite bedtime stories recently has been the Three Billy Goats Gruff, and they kept peeking under the bridges, asking if there were any trolls lurking. 

30 minutes into our hike, S and A started slowly deteriorating, complaining they were tired and alternately hot and cold. The same scenario happened the last time we went on a short hike over the summer at Grotto Falls in Utah. Jake and I decided we needed to toughen these two up, stat!

A pleasant morning for a mountain stroll with a pleasant baby.

We didn’t make it all the way through the loop, but decided to head back before complete meltdowns ensued.

As I recall, S and A were fighting over who got what blanket and complaining about not being able to wrap the blankets all the way around them. As you can see, Meredith was still a happy camper.

I want luuuuuuunch!

There were signs prohibiting picnicking (???!!!!) at Cascade Springs, so we drove a ways down to a scenic outlook on the side of the road and set down our blankets there. The famished twins decimated the food in the cooler while Meredith had her first baby pooplosion in the wilderness. Jake held her bare bottom over the side of the brush and let her have at it.

Daddy and twins. 

Scenic place for a baby lunch.

The girls.

Amelia was giving me a heart attack.

Not sure what Samantha is trying to convey here, but it definitely wasn’t “Cheese.”

Classic Sammy pout face.

We’ve come to expect at least one bad attitude at any given point during our excursions, and once our expectations are lowered, things seem to work out better! Just keep swimming… just keep swimming…

Lots of love,