Smith Family Adventures: This Weekend's Chaos & Magic

This weekend’s adventure wasn’t quiet. It wasn’t clean. And it definitely wasn’t calm. But it was one of those days that makes you pause, take a deep breath, and whisper, “This. This is why we do this.”

We loaded up the kids like we always do — water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, extra clothes (not that they ever wear them), and the hope that maybe this time we’d make it through the hike meltdown-free. Spoiler: we didn’t.

Right from the start, the heat made its presence known. Thick, heavy air wrapped around us like a blanket, the kind of heat where everyone’s cheeks flush fast and shirts cling like we’ve already run a marathon. The bugs? Oh, they came to party. Ants everywhere. Mosquitos in full formation. Beetles, gnats, flies — nature was alive and buzzing. Literally.

Little climbers

But amid the sweat and swatting, we found so much beauty.

We spotted clusters of mushrooms sprouting from mossy tree stumps — tiny forest treasures that immediately captivated the boys. Every five minutes, someone shouted, “MUSHROOM!” and the whole crew came running like they’d just discovered buried treasure. It slowed our pace, sure, but we wouldn’t trade those wide eyes and muddy fingers for anything.

And then came the classic moments — the kind that feel like a beautiful mess when you’re in them, but somehow become the stories you tell for years.

Shoes were kicked off by the youngest like they were holding him back from his destiny. One of our middle guys took it upon himself to belly-flop into every single pile of sand we passed, giggling like he’d found paradise in every grain. And just when we thought we’d seen it all, one kiddo decided it was a great idea to smear a handful of mud directly into his brother’s face. Jackson and I just looked at each other and laughed — that tired, slightly panicked kind of laugh that says, “Yep… this is our life.”

Of course, we had meltdowns. Big ones. Hot, sweaty, emotional, "I-want-a-snack-NOW” level tantrums that echoed through the trees. But even in those moments, we saw the heart of why we’re doing all this.

Because when the crying stopped and the dirt settled, we heard it — the birds overhead. The crunch of leaves beneath tiny feet. The sweet hum of nature all around us. The sound of three little boys exploring the world together.

When we finally made it back to the car (one child missing a sock, another insisting they could never walk again), we were tired. Filthy. Drained. But so full.

Benny laying in the sand

We got home, dropped our dusty gear at the door, and the house felt still in the best kind of way. I (Mercedes) made some seriously yummy burgers — simple, savory, and exactly what we all needed after a day of heat and chaos. We gathered at the dining table, sun-kissed and exhausted, and just enjoyed each other. No screens, no rushing — just messy-haired kids with full bellies and parents soaking in the sweet calm after the storm.

By the time dinner ended, everyone was wiped. Sticky cheeks rested on the table. Little feet curled up in chairs. Tired giggles turned into slow blinks. And as we cleaned up and tucked them in, Jackson and I caught each other’s eyes and smiled. This is the life we prayed for. Not perfect. Not polished. But ours.

We love our boys fiercely. They challenge us, stretch us, crack us up, and teach us something new every single day. And in all the wildness of raising three young kids, we are so in love with each other. Jackson is my best friend, my partner in all this mud and magic, and the reason I can still laugh at the end of a chaotic day. He leads our family with patience and strength, and watching him father our boys is one of the greatest joys of my life.

We started Smith Family Adventures for one reason: to get outside — together. To slow down. To let our kids run barefoot and hear birds sing. To step away from screens and schedules and feel the world with our children. We wanted more memories, more laughter, more stories to tell around the dinner table.

And that’s exactly what we’re building. One sandy belly-flop, one muddy face, one backyard burger at a time.

Thanks for following along with us — and for cheering us on as we turn everyday moments into lifelong memories.

See you next weekend on the trail 🥾💛

— The Smiths #SmithFamilyAdventures #RealLifeRealLove #NatureChaosAndBurgers

Somehow we still look pretty decent after a long hike