Family Fun

After our reunion at Eden, we went back to Orem to stay at my mom's house for the next week so Jason could work from her home and everyone else with jobs could do their thing. Since I'm not working right now, that meant I could still play!

I should clarify; only some of us stayed at my mom's house. Austin and Victoria stayed at Karina and Dan's house, up the street. Remember, Austin and Peter were inseparable and Victoria was usually with Mariah or Natalie, or both. Karissa was at my mom's for part of the time but went to Derek and Missy's in Draper for a few days to hang with Layla. Erik still got to see cousins for many hours most days, but it was fun for him to get some alone time with Grandpa and Grandma and have some downtime, which he usually needs.

I visited with Karina when she wasn't studying for her class or working at the hospital. We got to exercise together in the morning a couple of times and chat at night before she had to turn in early for her early shifts. When I wasn't working out with Karina, I swam or rode bikes with my mom. The bike path there is so nice!

The only two times that Peter and Austin were apart were Saturday, the day after we returned from the cabin, and Monday. On Saturday, just us six Mercados went to visit my dad's sister in SLC and her oldest son with his family. They're still being very careful in the Salt Lake area in terms of limiting numbers of people in a group for social events, so we kept it small. Since I didn't get to see my dad this trip, it was fun to connect with his sister.

We stopped by East High, where High School Musical was filmed. It's also where my Grandpa Gordon went to high school.

With Karen and Bill

On Monday, my mom paid for the tweens and teens (middle schoolers and highschoolers) to go to Lagoon. Derek's oldest, Jake, did all the research so it could work out. There was a super good deal going on for students ($35/ticket) and for teachers (me!). So I took the group of 7 and we went at the designated time we were given, with face masks and all! It's a small park, but very fun and Austin's first time at an amusement park with mostly roller coasters.

It started as a wet, cool morning.

Sometimes we wore our masks on the rides, sometimes we didn't.

Natalie is in the white sweatshirt.

Austin really enjoyed his day!

The other activities during that week included eating amazing sourdough waffles and french toast at Derek and Missy's on Sunday, a few hikes, swimming in the outdoor pool (we don't have many of those here in MI!), going to Kallie's dance recital, getting snow cones where Natalie works, eating dinner at Jaron and Jan's house (Jaron is Jim's oldest son), going on the Hike that we were warming up for with the other smaller hikes, and celebrating the 4th of July at Derek's.

Koki and Victoria 

Calvin and Erik when we made it up to Battle Creek Falls.

I'm getting better at selfies!

Nik, Izaak, and Erik playing with Grandma's toys.

And making forts.

Natalie and Victoria colored Karissa's and Layla's hair. 

Karissa chose purple, which is harder to see in her hair, but I don't mind!

Layla chose blue.

Mariah, Natalie, and Victoria

Kallie's dance recital will prepare us for what to expect with Victoria's.

She was so fun to watch!

Yoga with Grandma!

Washing the car with Grandpa.

Water slide at the pool.

Diving board jump at the pool.

Peter and Austin

Nik is the best eater I've ever seen in an 8-year-old boy!

Koki getting a snow cone from Natalie's work!

The Hike was supposed to be up Mt. Timpanogas. Victoria had decided just before we went out there that she really wanted to try it. I was all on board and so was Jason. We weren't sure about the other kids because of the fact that we live where there are no mountains, whatsoever, and at an elevation at sea level. Karina and Dan's family are experts at that hike and most of their kids have hiked it a few times. She told me to just see how my younger kids were on the smaller hikes and if they wanted to try Timp, they should try it. We had planned on having a younger group that would possibly turn around if needed.

So our first hike, on Saturday before we went to SLC, we hiked Rock Canyon. We went a little later in the day when everyone was ready, so it was hot. It was a 5 1/2 mile hike and had a climb, but it wasn't bad. Erik had stuffed his Camelbak with a bunch of hot wheel cars, and it was pretty heavy! When he kept stopping every 10 minutes in the beginning, I finally grabbed his pack and noticed the weight! We had a little chat about what not to bring on a hike. I don't think he even made it halfway, then he turned back with Grandpa and Grandma since they don't like the rockier spots of the hike anyhow. Peter was our leader at that point since he was the oldest kid with us who had been on the hike before. He led us very well!

Looking for shade!

Erik and Grandpa were good hiking buddies.

Peter and Grandpa

Of course, there's always room for climbing rocks! (Nik and Erik)

The group at the top!

I learned two things after that first hike: Erik would not be able to make the whole Timp hike and the others would be able to. Rock Canyon is a steeper climb than Timp, so I could tell Karissa and Austin would be able to make it by their energy levels and persistence. Also, the fact that the tradition is to have two king-size candy bars on the Timp hike! That would get any kid to go 13 miles!

The problem we had with the upcoming Timp hike was the fact that there was more snow and ice than there should be for a safe hike with kids. Also, we had some differences of opinion on what time to leave. It was going to be the day before the 4th when the men had off work. We were planning on leaving on the 5th and didn't want to be too tired due to waking up early on Friday, staying up late Saturday, and then leaving Sunday.

We made the final decision on Thursday at Jeron's house. He suggested that we hike up to Silver Lake in American Fork canyon. It's a 5-mile hike through some streams, with the possibility of an extra 2 miles up to a sword in a rock called Excaliber. It sounded like a good hike for everyone to go on and Erik was game, especially with a king-size candy bar (btw, the second hike we went on, which was pictured earlier, he did just fine!) The only problem for some of us, was that we were really pumped up for an all-day hike and thought that maybe 7 miles wouldn't cut it for us

Well, the hike was definitely steeper than the beginning of Timp. With our big group of about 20, we might have gone a little slower, but not too bad. And 4-year-old Izaak, did very well! At Silver Lake, most of us were ready to take on Excaliber. That extra mile up was basically going cross country up a very steep mountain. There wasn't a clear trail and there were lots of rocks. The rocks actually made it more doable for my boys to keep their minds off the steep climb. They always love to scramble on rocks on the sides of trails. This made it so they didn't need those detours and enjoyed adventure while they hiked. We did make a detour to another lake because there wasn't a very good trail, so we went more than that extra mile. The few people we saw coming down thought we were crazy bringing our kids up to the sword. We didn't know how bad it would be until we got there!

Izaak, in front of the group!

Crossing the water.

Natalie, Victoria, and Calvin

Mt. Timp is the white mountain in the distance.

What we were looking at as we hiked.

Another view of Timp behind us.

Almost to the lake. I think that's Grandma and Grandpa that we see coming up.

The lake!

Cooling off the feet.

Part of the group.

Another part, with Jaron and some of his kids in the distance.

Trying more selfies.

The base of the rocky formation of Excaliber demonstrated how crazy we might have been! But we were so close! We had to leave Koki (Karina's family dog) with her at the base since she wouldn't be able to grab onto the rocks like humans. It was kind of like rock climbing. We made it up and enjoyed the satisfaction of climbing a mountain and rock climbing, safely, in one hike. Making it down was the next challenge!

At the top of Excaliber, before crossing over to get to the sword. Not many pictures were taken in the process so I could focus on being safe!

Jake was content not to go over to the sword. 

The Sword!

I can't believe he made it!

Jeron, Heber, and Shelley. Our tour guides and bodyguards! Shelley is one of Jim's kids and Heber is her husband and mountain man! They took good care of my boys at the top!

Pointing to where we were!

As we were leaving on Sunday, we drove behind the mountain range where we caught a glimpse of where we hiked. That white part is the rock we were on, not snow.

All in all, it was so fun and a great adventure! It took us 7 hours, so we definitely got our all-day hike in!


The 4th of July at Derek's felt like Christmas or Thanksgiving with all the amazing food (the best pulled pork, ever!) and being with a big group of family for a holiday. We said our goodbyes that night so we could leave at a somewhat early hour the next morning.

Mariah and Karissa frosting brownies.  

Kodiak and Karissa

4th of July Cookies

Getting ready to watch fireworks!

The fireworks were amazing from Derek's view! We could see all the way to Taylorsville! You can see the Jordon Temple in this one.  

Right before we left for home.

At least we could look forward to seeing Gramms and Abuelo in Cheyenne, WY that first night! Jason's parents only live 2 1/2 hours from there and decided to take their camper up to have dinner with us and a quick visit. I'm so glad they did!

Gramms and Abuelo!!