Huckleberry Hell.... I mean Hill

I have just learned that my family given Molly Mormon label is in question after writing that title for this post. My sister-in-law, Kristen, should be happy as she has been coveting this label for many months. I would have willingly given up this label for her so there would be no contention in the family, but alas, the decision is not mine to make. Kristen, for you, or if anyone else would like this label, I will gladly sit down and teach you how to make crocheted sock for your husband, matching shirts for 12 children, how to can funeral potatoes, and all while teaching your children the harmony to Love At Home.

Now, back to my post. For my dad's reunion this summer we stayed up at Schweitzer Mountain in Northern Idaho. Absolutely beautiful up there. It is a ski resort and had fun little shops and tennis courts, a lake nearby, a craft show, and of course, huckleberries-which we LOVE! Well, driving up to the cabin I saw people out of their cars on the side of the road picking huckleberries, so when Dad and Martha asked if we wanted to go pick huckleberries I was all over it! So we hop in the car with Max and Malia (Ally stayed home) just as is and drove down to the lodge, where it was a short hike to Huckleberry Hill. Kyrk and I were a little leery when we saw people coming down the trail in full hiking gear and we looked down at our flip-flops. But I'm not one to back down so off we go... and go....and go.....

This picture was taken about 1/2 way UP the mountain. I should've taken a picture after we got down- we were filthy! We think it was about 2 miles up the mountain- not along a nice, easy, flat trail mind you- up a mountain. We kept passing people along the way that were giving me the strangest looks. I just told them Dad better know how to deliver a baby. We had no water, no diapers, nothing!

After 10 hours of hiking we got to Huckleberry Hill and the rest of our party that had gone ahead were no where to be seen. We called them and they said they were a little bit farther where the huckleberries were way bigger. We had 4 conversations like that and after about another 1/2 mile we caught up to them. We picked and picked. Okay, so they picked while I found the most comfortable rock I could see to sit on.

Peter is going to love this one! It is really hard to resist all those juicy berries.

Malia ate so many huckleberries that her diapers were purple for days. We could barely keep up picking enough to keep her cup from being empty.

This is our view as we got about 1/2 way back to the lodge. It's the first clearing you come to that you can see the lodge. I was really hurting at this point- going down hill was actually a lot harder on my hips then going up hill- so when I got to this point my eyes literally started welling up with tears. I was ready to just stay there and they could send a helicopter to come and get me. Luckily (with Kyrk and Dad being my walking sticks) I kept going because about 50 feet from our car the heavens opened and it started pouring. So all in all, it was a crazy, hard trip but I don't think I would have traded it. We did end up with a TON of huckleberries and had the most delicious huckleberry pancakes the next morning. We did decide that the kids selling a gallon of berries for $30 on the side of the road would defiantly be worth the money.

Yes, that sign says Deep Fried Twinkies and yes, we bought some. Luckily no one had a heart attack. Kyrk really liked them but I could have done without, not worth the cholesterol you can feel coursing through your veins.

Tennis was a big hit.

Out to the Oggie reunion! The diving board was a big hit with my kids this year.

and Kyrk..

Hilary and Travis put on the hit of the week- a game of Survivor. This is everyone running with water balloons on spoons.

Up to Kyrk's family for his reunion. Shooting was a highlight for Max, I couldn't believe the smile on his face. Kyrk kept making fun of me because I looked really weird while I was shooting, I didn't realize at the time but I was using my left eye instead of my right because that's my good eye.

Grandma and Grandpa Wright with most of the grand kids.

Gramsy put on a princess party for all the girls- they were beautiful and had so much fun.

Max is "surfing" in Daddy's car giving the hang loose sign.?.? Good thing he is buckled in with the bungee cord!

Helping Mommy make sugar cookies. This is the sixth time Malia has frosted this cookie, she just keeps licking off the frosting.