Let's face it…there are some outings that are just downright difficult with babies and toddlers along. When our children were younger we would sometimes avoid certain places and not go do certain activities with our children because it was just hard and exhausting. We now have children ranging in age from 21 down to 4 months. If we had continued putting things off until we were done with babies, we would have missed out on so many awesome experiences. And to be honest, I think having everyone, big ones and little ones, along, has made everything that much more fun. Doing things with the whole family, with no one left behind is so worth it to me.
Earlier this month we took everyone to Provo to hike up to "the Y" up above BYU. This is the first time we have ever attempted this as a family. We do a lot of hiking but are pretty careful to choose hikes that are doable for our younger children. The "Y" is a pretty steep climb but we were feeling adventurous and decided to tackle it. We drove our van up to the trailhead, parked, then began to unload. Of course, first thing we had to do was change David's diaper. We got out the Bjorn for him. Then we unloaded the baby backpack for Sophia. She needed a snack right off the bat. That ride from Tooele county seemed like forever to her and she needed a little sustenance. Ok. Now let's get babies in the carriers. Benjamin (17) carried Sophia on his back. Jerry carried David in the front pack. We were getting a few looks from other hikers on their way to the trailhead. I think they thought we were nuts. Babies are ready. Now, let's get a diaper and wipes just in case we need them. We'll take a size 4 diaper with us. Sophia wears that size and David won't mind swimming in it if it happens to be him that needs it. We're ready….well, maybe not. Three of the kids need to use the bathroom before we get started. Good thing there is a facility at the trailhead. Now we are really ready. (It's only been twenty five minutes since we parked.) Seven kids, Mom and Dad, babies in their places, we were finally going to hike the "Y." We started out. It was a pretty warm day and we worked up a sweat quickly. David was an angel and was content the whole way. Sophia was happy too which doesn't always happen. Sometimes she wants to walk when we hike and that slows us down considerably. We usually let her out to walk if she wants to and just slow down. That is part of the experience. But today she just wanted to ride. We saw a couple of children with artificial legs hiking down as we hiked up. Emily and Olivia were inspired by that. They had renewed energy to make it to the top. Emily hitched a ride from a big brother for maybe, oh, 25 feet at a particularly steep stretch close to the top, but she hiked the rest of the way on her own two feet. At one point you get to choose whether to take the path to the bottom of the "Y" or the path to the top of the "Y." We opted to go all the way to the top. After making it that far, we figured, why not? The view from the top was breathtaking. We took pictures, sat on "the Y" and climbed down the "Y." We stopped at the top long enough to eat carrots sticks and apples and to enjoy the satisfaction of our climb. Our only regret of the day was that our two oldest could not be there…but Kyle, on a mission, and Brandon, busy with college activities had to be excused.
Sure, the hike would have been easier without the little ones. But these kinds of activities bring our family closer together. It takes every one of us working together and encouraging one another to make it happen and that unites our family and builds our love for one another. Our children will never look at that Y on the mountain in the same way ever again. They will say every time we drive to Provo. "There's the Y Mom!! And I sat on it!" The memories we create when we do activities together as a family are priceless. They are what our children will recall when they remember their childhood. They are what they will reminisce about at family reunions in the future. They will forge bonds between us as parents and our children, and bonds between brothers and sisters that will be eternal.
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