Snow Shoe Trip with the Mahoney's

 Last week we pulled the kids out of some half days at school and took a snow shoe trip up to Copper Creek Hut with the Mahoney family. It was a little over 4 miles in, with packs and all......we knew we'd have to assist Morgan a bit.

 Off we went, and everyone had a "trial buddy".

 Korban and Deaven were total troopers the whole time and never complained once of the SLOW pace we had to sometimes take for the younger four kids.

 Both Jamee and Will had built sleds that could actually pull the youngest two kids up the mountain for periods of time.

 Morgan LOVED riding and did her part by "rowing" along.

 Malorie and Peyton did pretty great considering that they are only 9  and were carrying their own sleeping bags, pillows and all their clothes.

 On one break, the kids whipped out this snowman immediately.

 Jamee and Will pulling the little guys.

 Dennese tried to ride too......but that didn't work out so well. :)

 Our gang.  We love adventuring with the Mahoney's.  Perfect match.

 Morgan started to play dead......I mean, all that hard work of pulling pulled up the mountain.  She DID walk for parts, in her defense.

 Here is Copper Creek Hut, which was a welcome site after our 4 hours of hiking with little kids.

 It's nice to have a some-what furnished home to come into and relax in.

 The kids went back outside immediately to start working on a snow cave/tunnel system.

 It was a beautiful night and view.

 Will and Peyton playing some Uno.

 We played a ton of games while we were there.  Pigs, Speed, Rummy.....

 This was out little kitchen, with all our wet clothes drying by the fire.

 We all slept upstairs in the loft, which was some fun bonding too.

 First thing in the morning, the kids were back at work at their snow tunnel system.

 The weather was awesome and warm.

 You can see in the above picture that there were 4 different cave entrances being worked on by everyone.

 Love all the jackets hanging on the railing as the day warmed up.

 Kelton and Morgan giving the old trash bag sledding a try.

 Lots and lots of playing in the snow and sledding.

 With Mt. Rainer not too far away.

 More games up in the loft.

 There was a random game called Slamwich, that we all ended up enjoying.

 Will demonstrating his wax cheese tradition.

 This was in the morning, where you can see the snow is almost to the top of the window.

 Dennese and I busted out this puzzle in a few hours, which is something we both love to do, but NEVER take the time to do at home.

 All the kids in one of their snow fort entrances.

 The whole gang before we headed back out on our last day.

 Yay for the Hayes family!

 Heading back out to the car, the sun was even warmer.  It was a beautiful day.

 Peyton and Malorie were awesome the whole trip.

 At times......jolly rancher and tootsie rolls power shots were offered to the kids.

 Morgan and Mom outside of the Hut.

 Will built and incredible sledding run that was 200+ ft long.

 Me and my beautiful Dennese.

 Dennese enjoyed some good long talks on the walk in and out.

 Another Will creation.

Having lunch on the trail on the way back out.

It was an awesome trip.  So much fun!!  I really loved playing games with the kids and I just love that our 6 kids can run off and entertain themselves for HOURS.  I am grateful we have such good friends in the Mahoney's as we both try to teach our kids a love for the outdoors.

Here is one great video of Deaven on our sledding run.  This is only one portion of the run we built.