A hiking we will go

July 9 is always a bittersweet day for me.  That is the day we said goodbye to our sweet baby Ethan.  He has been in the arms of God for two years now.  It was a lot easier this year since we were on vacation and had a lot to keep me busy. 

We didn't think the Park Rangers would appreciate us releasing balloons in the mountains, so we didn't do that this year.  I wanted to take a hike to Dream Lake, so we packed some snacks and drinks and headed out.  It was such a great day to spend with family in some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen.  The kids were so good.  They did the four mile hike with very little whining!  I couldn't have asked for anything better. 

Here we are at the start of the hike at Bear Lake.

 Nymph Lake or as the kids called it, the Frog Lake because of all the lily pads.

Some of the views along the way

 Dream Lake! We made it.  We had to walk across a lot of snow.  It was really worth it and since we made it this far...it was just over a mile to Dream Lake, we decided to go a little further and see Emerald Lake.

 Emerald Lake, there was still  snow in the water!  It was windy and cold, but being surrounded by the mountains was breathtaking!  It was great to be surrounded by God's glory that day.  Just what I needed.

The kids did so good.  They took it all in!

And rested when they needed to!

 Do you see the red speck in the middle of the photo?  That is me!  Tim hiked even further up some rocks...not a trail!  When he got out of my view I began to worry.  Every once in a while he would show up and wave to us.  All I could think about was him falling off the other side and no one knowing it!  Thankfully, he made it back down safe and sound.  He did get some good pictures of Emerald Lake and the surrounding mountains.

 Glade learned that he loved climbing the rocks.  While they were climbing these rocks a deer walked right across the trail!

We hiked back down and made it to our car.  I am so proud of the kids for doing such a good job on this hike.  We went back to the campground and put the kids down for a nap.  Tim and I went on a date later that evening, but that is another post!