Great Falls then (July 2004) and now

Hannah (5), Eizabeth (3), Leah (9 months)

2004: We took a 30 minute hike out, ate lunch, and hiked back. Leah started out in the backback and the other two walked. By the time we turned round to go back to the car I heard, "I'm tired," about 100 times from my little Elizabeth and ended up making the treck back wearing Leah in the frontpack AND Elizabeth in the backpack while dragging Hannah behind me. A great memory - if only someone had taken my picture.

Hannah (8), Elizabeth (6), Leah (3), and Andrew (9 months)

2007: OK, so I thought it would be a great idea to take the same hike again with the kids at about the same ages. I was prepared for the same end result and brought the front and backpacks. Well, I should have remembered that Leah is a CRAZY woman. Thirty minutes out, one hour climbing on the rocks and peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sanwiches, and thirty minutes back and I hear, "Let's color in the visitor's center" from my three year old. I also brought my pack animal (Hannah) to carry all of the coats in a backpack after everyone got hot. Wow, what a difference a few years makes.

Sisters

Andrew found lots of good, clean dirt and sticks to eat at lunch time.