June 24, 2009

Better Late Than Never

So, I'm never really sure when I'm suppose to use "then" or "than". My writing style might make it painfully obvious that I was not an English major... of any sort.

Well, I have a whole slew of pictures to show. This is a family reunion we went to the weekend before last in Paris!

Huh? Oh... no, not Paris, France.
Paris, Idaho. And believe me, they aren't anything alike.
And yes, I would know because I've been to both places.

It was suppose to be a camping trip but with all the rain, camping in mud didn't sound too thrilling to me, especially since Alayna had just got over a cold.

Of course, I suppose there was always the option of doing mud angels and making a slip n' sludge. But I didn't really think to come up with those activities at the time. So we just drove up Saturday and met up with everyone else who had camped that night. After lunch we went down to the Minnetonka Caves.

There was a bit of a wait so the kids kept themselves entertained with the water fountain...

...yelling at the squirrels...

... and food, of course. And yes. Frosting covered animal cookies are indeed a food group.
If you don't believe me you can look it up.

But it really was quite gorgeous there. Here we are walking down to the cave entrance.





And here it is.
Ugh! Just looking at this next picture makes my heart beat a bit faster. My stomach is feeling a bit funny and I suddenly feel cold.

I have a slight case of claustrophobia. Not real bad, but enough. Actually, the caves weren't TOO crushingly, painfully bad but there were a few areas I REALLY didn't want to walk down and I was ready to turn around and run back to the light. But I made it, I'm still here today, mind in tact.

And no, that is not open to comment or speculation.

Savannah loved it. And since Luke and I were in the back of the group dealing with grouchy toddler boys who wanted to be carried, then wanted to walk the stairs all by themselves, then wanted to be carried, etc., she just stayed right up in the front with the tour guide.

I don't think we heard a word the guide said. We were too busy trying to keep the boys from plunging off and edge to certain pain and agony. But of course, they just thought we were trying to spoil all their fun.






At least Luke was able to get a good workout in!

This girl just cracks me up!



Savannah wanted to take some pictures. So these next ones are her handiwork... that is the only reason you guys are privy to a picture of my backside.




Click on the family picture below. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Joseph and Savannah's faces in this. And there's poor Alayna, wondering what in the world is going on!

Once we FINALLY made it back out, it was POURING rain. And we were all cold and wet.

Can you tell that the roads were a bit muddy? No? Hmm... perhaps I should point out that we did not paint our car part silver part gold. That's dirt from the road that leads to the campsite.

Poor Luke got to load up all the kids.

When we finally got back it was just so wet and muddy I fed Alayna in the car, then Jacob and I just hung out for a while.

What a stud muffin.

A very chattery stud muffin...

..who wants a set of wheels already. Actually, he's a little obsessed with motercycles.



The rain finally stopped and we broke camp. The kids had one last romp in the mud and managed to find some of the most ENORMOUS earth worms! I mean, I've seen snakes smaller than these guys! Too bad I didn't take a picture of one.


Of course we had to do a little strip action with the kids since they were covered in mud.




It was fun.

14 super cool people speak:

Romulo & Lydia said...

I love going to Caverns. There is one in Luray, VA (Luray Caverns). My parents both worked in the Caverns when they were first out of high school so they always say that they met in a hole in the ground. Nice huh!

pcNut said...

Look at those cute faces, especially Jacob behind the wheel:)

I like the Minatonka caves. It was a pretty cool experience when we went about a year ago. I had no idea you're not excited about things like that however:)

love you.

ldsjaneite said...

Wow. I had so many thoughts. And since I know you like comments, I'll post each one separately.

First, I'm a bit claustrophobic, too.

ldsjaneite said...

I just ignore the "then" and "than" issue when reading someone's blog. A book intended for publication? Well, then I'd say something.

ldsjaneite said...

I heard a few months back that the makers of those frosted animal cookies were going to stop the business. To which my family (particularly the boys) put up a huge uproar and said we should buy the business. It's definitely one that would always succeed. Can't fathom why. :-)

ldsjaneite said...

It's beautiful there--inside and out.

ldsjaneite said...

I love Alayna's face in the picture right before the family picture. The kids' faces in the family picture are all pretty good, too.

ldsjaneite said...

That one picture of Jacob (particularly with that smile of his) looks exactly like someone I know...hmmmm, who could it be....?

Actually, two pictures later he looks like one of my nephews. I have a pictre of him with the same expression.

ldsjaneite said...

OK. I'm done.

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

Lydia: Too funny! And I like caves and caverns... until we come to a small spot, or stairs that look like we are walking down into the deep abyss of nothingness! Then I get a little freaked out.

Sarah: I didn't know you had been to these caves before! Why were you in Paris?

Heidi: I laughed and laughed! Wow, 7 whole comments just from you. I'm so very flattered! Love it.
I think maybe I remember you making a comment about being a bit claustrophobic before.

We would definitely have to have a picket rally if they ever stop making those animal cookies!

I love that picture of Alayna too! I just couldn't think of a good caption for it.

And yes, Jacob does look like Caleb at times. Kind of strange since everyone thinks he looks just like Luke!

Nicole said...

I glad you had fun. My Grandma was raised in Paris, ID, and we used to go to Bear Lake for vacation every year. I love that area. My parents will probably be living there (in Bloomington) in a couple of years.

Sara Lyn said...

Um, very scary. I'm proud of you for not freaking out (like I would have) with kids in caves and near heights. Oh, yucky. Have never understood why someone might want to go into a cave. (Okay, except for the cool formations, but remember the obsession with the Nutty Putty Caves? NO WAY!!!)

Mama Smith said...

Not only did I enjoy the whole concept of CAMPING/FAMILY REUNION...and the pictures are FANTASTIC...I began to DREAM of our FAMILY REUNIONS/CAMPING in MONTANA!!!!! I do believe...it will be as BEAUTIFUL...(by the way, looks like I will need to go see PARIS, IDAHO...GORGEOUS COUNTRY!!!) You are helping my BUTTERFLIES IN MY STOMACH...just thinking about all of this...(smile)

Tabitha (From Single to Married) said...

wow - what an awesome trip, I especially love the caves. And you have a seriously cute family!

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