A Women's Early Spring Backpacking Trip

Well I did it. I went on a backpacking trip. Without Kyle. With ALL women. And it was amazing. 

It's a big deal to say I went without Kyle because Kyle loves the outdoors and any chance he can get to hike through Shenandoah. A few of the women in our ward and other wards nearby get together every April and October to hike to a location overnight somewhere in Shenandoah. They camp and head out the next day. I decided it would be a great way to get in some exercise at 14 weeks pregnant. 

We got our gear together and headed out around noon. I didn't realize that the hike in was almost uphill most of the way! By the end, my legs were burning but it felt very accomplished as we set up for camp and got our food ready for the night. Since it was the middle of April, it was actually pretty cold and we huddled around that fire but other than that, I loved being out in nature and learning more about the women in the group!

The leaves were just starting to come out after a long winter. 

I was so impressed by those that were able to keep up a quick pace in the front. 

We reached the top of a hill and could get a glimpse of the valley through the trees. 

We set up camp at a beautiful spot called Emerald Pond. It had an amazing shade of green, hence the name. 

We noticed someone had made a little cove to swim in but it was far too cold for any of us to go near the water.

Here we were the next morning, after somehow surviving the freezing night.

Baby's first backpacking trip....kind of. 

I loved capturing this photo once we had found this vista...I also loved how they were all wearing the best and bright colors of spring. 

We got out to see the view on our hike back down and it was amazing. Shenandoah has had a little fire scare lately but I think they are getting it under control. Being out here made me appreciate how close we are to such a magnificent national park. I can't wait to go on another outing with Kyle and ESPECIALLY to take our little one camping for the first time. 

The Third Annual McOmber Apple Picking Trip

Yes, the THIRD annual apple picking trip! I'm big on traditions if you haven't noticed. We traveled out to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley early and picked an orchard. For me, it's the whole experience rather than just coming back with some apples. It was a gorgeous day and I'm glad we keep up with it every year.

My favorite apple picking partner.

He's such a good sport for letting me take his picture all the time.

Twilight anyone?

We hopped across the way to visit Stribling Orchard and compare prices. Stribling was our orchard last year. BTW, Hartland is MUCH cheaper. 

We couldn't leave without getting some apple cider doughnuts. 

Since it was just the two of us, the good old timer works well for getting us both in a shot. Here's attempt #1.

Attempt #2 and Kyle wins for the best face.

Attempt #3 and the keeper for now.

How 'bout em? Excited to bake and bake and bake.

The BIG 3-0!!!

I wanted to do something really fun for Kyle’s birthday. The fall is so fun on the east coat because with all the trees, the changing of the leaves is beautiful. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun if I booked a ziplining tour right before his birthday so we could see the leaves?!” I got on and found a discounted price and scheduled it for what I thought would be a nice fall day on November 8. Slowly, I noticed the temperature outside dropping down and by the time our zipline tour came, it was pretty cold. To make it even more fun, the only tour available was the one for 8:00 in the morning. Once we were sure we had bundled up as best as we could, we stepped outside and got going. Once the sun came out, it really wasn’t that bad and I was happy to see there were still a few leaves waiting to fall until we had come up to see them.

Kyle turned the big 3-0 this year so I threw a little get together for Kyle’s birthday and invited all of the friends we’ve made so far. We were so happy to see almost all of them come over! I made the pumpkin dream cake that we discovered last year.  It’s always all I can do to not eat the whole thing! Happy Birthday my love. So grateful to have you in my life! Oh…and I guess Boo is happy you are in his life too.

A Drive Down The Old Skyline Trail

Kyle’s wonderful parents came out for the weekend before Halloween to visit and take a trip down the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah to see all of the beautiful fall leaf colors. We took the trip with Uncle Ray and Aunt Kristine as well and had a grand old time.

Oh Shenandoah...I long to see you....
(yes this song is referring to the river...but it works for the valley too)

The dedicated driver and navigator.

I think National Park Service Rangers are some of the happiest people, working out in nature and stuff.

Kyle getting in the spirit of the Halloween season by finishing up
The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allen Poe.

Being from Utah, we get our fair share of the changing of the leaves but this was UNREAL. With the amount of foliage Virginia has and being by the Shenandoah valley, the hills were just bursting with color.





Really...pictures do NOT do justice.

We stopped by the Skyland Lodge, checked out their most recent critter sightings and explored the gift shop.



Sheesh! So many black bears.

Kyle got his stamp in his National Park stamp book. And I don’t know what was said by who to make him laugh, but I love this picture.

More beautiful leaves.





It's a bit difficult to see but down in the valley, they had the cutest farms that looked like they were straight out of Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

This is what I called the “Jurassic Park” area since the leaves looked tropical and I expected a velocaraptor to come bounding out at any point.

Classic photos.

I love Kyle’s parents. I married into the most wonderful family and I feel like I’ve known them my entire life.

I was able to borrow a camera since we’ve been thinking of investing in one ourselves. Here we are trying to get the right lighting and the right settings. We laugh at a few of these but there are some that I love.

The sky was really blue and pretty that day as well. Good weather all around.

After we had made it the 105.6 miles down the trail, we stopped in little Waynesboro for some food and at a hotel to stay for the night. It was the smallest, charming town with the best lemon ginger custard.

The next day we drove over to visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. I had been wanting to visit here for a long time and was glad we could finally go, especially with family.

Monticello was so beautiful and incredible. Jefferson was definitely ahead of his time and was always looking to gain more knowledge and enlightenment.

He built this week clock that was hooked up to a center 24-hour clock. There were heavy iron weights that would slowly head down the wall, telling what day of the week it was.

Jefferson also had a lot of gardens and grew all of his own vegetables and fruit.

A few good men.

Jefferson Family cemetery and Jefferson’s grave.

We visited Michie Tavern, a little place with lots of cute shops and the yummiest home cooked food.

It was so wonderful to spend the weekend with everyone and to cross some sites off the bucket list. And I couldn’t return the camera without taking a few shots of this guy.

I do love Kyle.