Sunday, October 21, 2018

Fall Break Activities

We decided to do a little "Stay-cation" this year for Fall break. We had a great time during the whole weekend. The weather was great and perfect for outdoor activities. Tiffany and I had a great morning we ran a lot and I did a lot of leg workouts. Then we decided to go for a hike. Since moving to Logan, we have wanted to check out the Wind Caves up Logan Canyon. So we packed the hiking pack with waters and snacks and up the canyon we went. 
The hike was a lot of fun and we had a great time as a family. The kids got to get out and be with nature and learn things. We got to see the red leaves on the oak trees. For those of you who don't know about the Wind Cave hike it is about two miles straight up with switch backs. Not to complain, but it was a bad idea for me to do a leg workout and run 3 miles that morning. My legs were jello by the time we got done with the hike.  Let's just say the hike was a lot longer than we expected.

But finally we made it to the top YEAH!!!! It was worth every step to see the Wind Cave. As you can tell from the pictures it is an arch looking over the Logan Canyon. The wind goes straight through the arch and up the canyon. The kids did an amazing job during the whole hike. They were as excited as Tiff and I were when we got to the top. I'm glad Tiff and I made the decision to start doing these hikes with our kids.

Our family is so photogenic. We had a fun photo shoot while we were on top. The view was amazing and as you can tell the kids are having a great time while were up top. 

Even Charlotte did a great job. While we were hiking she passed out asleep and I was wishing I could trade her places in the hiking backpack. While we were on the way down, she kept telling me, "Dad out, Dad out." So I let her out close to the end of the trail and she was the happiest girl ever. She thought she was so big hiking like her big bothers and sister. 



We loved the view from the top.  We could have stayed up there all day and just enjoyed the scenery.  I think we would have stayed up there longer but it was getting late and we didn't want to hike back in the dark.  The hike back down the mountain was a lot quicker and easier!

After the hike, we went home and I passed out on the couch hoping no one would touch my legs. Talk about charlie horses and tight muscles. Everyone slept good that night so we could get up in the morning and go to the Fall Harvest Festival at American West Heritage Center. This has been our family's tradition since we have moved into the valley. The kids love all of the activities as well as seeing the animals. Speaking of animals here is a pictures of our little animals while were playing around.

The Heritage Center has fun pioneer activities that the kids can take part in and learn how the pioneers lived and worked. And what is the festival without the animals that you can pet and see. Charlotte loved the animals and wanted to see all of them.  Emily and Logan even got to milk a cow!

The kids also got to shell corn and see a steam engine thresher.  The favorite part of the festival for all of the kids is the pony rides. If we don't do this ride then the festival is not complete.  Once they see the ponies, all of them start chanting, "Please can we ride the horses? Please?!" I think we rode them two or three times that day. Tiffany and I love all of it except the helmet part. Ever since our lice break out in our house, we always get nervous when our kids put on hats or head gear that other kids have worn. We do not want to go through that out break again.

Selfie time with them family. Love Colby's smile. Toothless Joe. Here we are riding the train.  This is also one of our favorite things of the Festival.  
One of the activities while were there was a shoot out in the street. They had actors come out do a little acting and at the end they starting shooting each other and finally the good guys kill the bad guys. The kids love going up after and getting one of the bullet casings that the cast shot. 

Some of the other activities we did was candle making, and corn husk dolls.  We also learned about mountain men and Indians.

Then it was time for the corn maze and trying not to get lost. 

It was Emily's turn to lead us and she did good with getting us through the maze. This year it was a horse and carriage with the letters AWHC.  Mostly the kids just loved running around in the corn.  They had a great time.  After making it through the maze, we decided to play some of the yard games.

Logan totally won Tiff in Connect 4.  He was pretty happy.  After playing the games and bouncing in the bounce house, we decided to pretend we were Indians and throw some tomahawks.  The kids were pretty good.  It was harder than it looks though and they couldn't stick any of the axes in the wood.  They had a good time trying though.

We loved the Fall Harvest Festival and always have a good time with all of the activities.  For fun and a little extra spending money, Tiffany started working at American West Heritage Center during October.  She had a good time getting out of the house and working for a few hours each week.  The people were really fun to work with and the customers were really friendly too.  We don't know if it will turn into something permanent but for now, it is seasonal and just while the Corn Maze is going on.  She will be done on October 30.  

The next morning, (Saturday of Fall Break) we participated in the North Logan Pumpkin Run.  The starting line was at the Pumpkin Walk and we ran through the decorated pumpkin scenes to start the race.
Russell and the kids ran the one mile race while I ran the 5K.  It was a really good course and it was fun to be racing again.  I think this was my first race since getting back into running.

The kids had a blast and Russell said they did so well on their mile.  The best part of the race though was when the kids saw me coming to the finish line and started cheering for me and running to the finish line with me.  I totally love their support and enthusiasm.

After the race we decided to do another one of our Fall traditions and walk through the Pumpkin Walk.  This year's theme was "Where in the World?"  There were a lot of fun and different scenes but these were our favorites:

Winnie the Pooh and the Incredibles!  There were a lot more as well but my camera died so we couldn't take pictures of them.  One really good one was a whole scene that was just like the "It's A Small World" ride at Disneyland.  It was pretty cool.
My camera came back to life at the end and I was able to get a picture of Charlotte and Logan saying hello to the Pumpkin Walk Witch.  Luckily she was a friendly witch.

And no Fall Break would be complete without a visit to the pumpkin patch for some pumpkins.

We actually did this after hiking the Wind Caves.  The kids love picking out pumpkins and finding their very own pumpkin to carve.  We also pick one out to cook and eat later.  Charlotte pick a baby pumpkin for herself because it was just her size.  She carried that thing around the whole time because it was her favorite.  I love how cheap the pumpkins are so it doesn't matter how many we pick out.  

We had a great Fall Break stay-cation.  I love fall here in Cache Valley.  It is so beautiful with the changing leaves and so fun because of all of the festivities.  I hope it stays Fall for a while though because I am not looking forward to winter...

Happy Fall Y'all!

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