fall in the mountains

Mountain trips are a highlight of our year. We love being in the mountains. It's a bit rugged the way we have to live--long stretches without showers. But we stay in a really fun hostel or hotel, and we all sleep in the same room, which I love. And we hike in beautiful scenery, which I love. This year, since we were there at the end of October, we were there while the trees are still changing colors!

Trees don't change in our city--they have to plant lots of evergreen plants to endure so little sun. But in the mountains...

This time, we went up a valley I haven't gone before. Johnny had. However, this valley has THE most vibrant colored trees. It helps me breathe deep breaths to be out in such splendor :)! I had trouble getting a picture, but you can kinda see it behind this one (an outtake of an attempt at photographing 5 two year olds on our hike):

And in the valley, we had to stop and throw some rocks--it happens every time we're in the mountains...

And feed some horses if they'll come close to the fence:

And hang with friends at our favorite hostel:

And snap a quick family picture. Imperfect? Yes. Real? Also yes.