our almost family

Leslie and I hiking toward Hidden Falls/ The Allred family up Cascade Canyon

Why do we love the Allred's?

Clay set Brian and I up on our first date.

They work for the Park Service-- a bond by itself (and saves us a lot of explaining).

They're on the same baby plan as us-- so if one of us forgets a diaper, a sippy, a bib, sunscreen-- the other usually has them covered. And what a bonus to have people who understand that it takes 2hrs to get ready to leave for an overnight?

Liesel already loves Owen 

and it looks like they'll have another boy to match up with baby girl #2

Liesel and Leslie are all the same letters. 

They have the best water toys (stand up paddle board and now a raft big enough for both families?!)

And they make the 10 hr drive to the Tetons the day after getting home from California after being at the beach for a week. . . dang. 

did I mention their son Owen is adorable?

Leslie would rather carry Owen prego and hike up a canyon than chill at home (Clay's back is hurt and Brian was on a SAR that day-- thus the reason for the pregnant ladies also carrying the kids)

They'll hike to Hidden Falls

unintentionally insult those at Inspiration Pt. by declaring it unworthy of a photo

hike up beautiful Cascade Canyon

See the 2nd highest peak in the range with the same name as their son (Mt. Owen)

get caught in a rainstorm

They love to play outside

and are willing to paddle across a very large lake 

and spend the night in a very small cabin

that is very quaint, has no running water and is right on the lake

and endure yet another night of semi-descent (or maybe even terrible) sleep

They'll pick huckleberries all week.

clay paddle-boarding our gear across String Lake/ Liesel excited to find a rock and Leslie hiking with Owen

They love to hang out at beaches

don't sweat missing their kids' bedtime

will chill by the fire at night

arriving at our destination! The NPS cabin at Leigh Lake and Liesel hanging out in the "swing"

Brian and Clay together are constant entertainment

and incredibly ridiculous

and almost bordering on insane-- but in a "brother from another mother" kind of way

they'll hike to Trapper Lake in the evening and 

eat massive amounts of spaghetti and meatballs so we won't have to carry out leftovers

They'll swim in cold water 

and watch Liesel while I paddle board around the lake

Owen and Liesel jumping on the bed

me paddle boarding on Leigh Lake

will help catch minnows to entertain the kiddos

and then make it a contest to see who has more man-fishing skills 

point out a leach on my foot and laugh at me when I scream for Brian to pull it off

guard B's sand sculpture of the Teton range (including jenny lake) from getting crushed by little feet

(at least until I got this picture)

watch us almost get our canoe tipped by a gust of wind

and lose Owen's hat in the process

play botchi-ball at night

and buy chocolate ice cream for milkshakes

Brian in my wetsuit and goggles. . . hmmm

and generally just be awesome. 

And that was only the first half of the week . . .