Timp Cave

On Saturday we took an outing to Timp Cave--something that I've been wanting to do for a long time, but hadn't gotten around to. It was so awesome! The kids (and adults) loved it! I had been a little wary because I remembered the hike be really long. Good news was that it wasn't that long, even though I had to try to keep up with Jax and Scotty who seem to be of the mountain goat variety. Jess and Dan joined us for the excursion and taught us how to "work" the switchbacks.

The formations inside the cave were very cool. The tour actually takes about 45 min, so you get a lot of time to really feel like an explorer. Apparently you can do a more serious spelunking tour with ropes and getting dirty if you are of 14--I think that we will need to plan an adult trip for next summer because I would love to do more exploring. Jax and Scotty informed me that they would be old enough in 8 more years, so that trip we be planned too!

We were glad that Armando got home from work in time to go (always a gamble on a Saturday). He had never been to the cave before and it was fun to get in a family outing-and to have someone help carry Cass! Cassie got praise from the tour guide for being the best two-year old he'd had in the cave! She loved it and insisted on walking through most of the cave all by herself. I had to tell her that "mommy needs help" to get her to hold my hand on some of the sketchy parts.

Cool stuff. We're game to go next year if anyone wants to join us!

Have a great day!!!

School is in full swing and the kids are absolutely loving it! I am so excited for them--it is so fun to watch and help them learn. I never used to like homework, but I love to watch my kids do it! Every evening we have them sit at the kitchen table while I make dinner. That way I can answer questions without hovering too much.
Scotty loves to get his reading books and do his worksheets. Today he surprised me by getting Jackson's math worksheet and doing it fairly quickly. I checked it for him and he had only missed one! I think that he really likes a challenge and loves to work! What great qualities to have, we hope that he keeps it up!
Jax gets a little distracted with his homework--he usually tries to help Scotty or Cassie with their projects instead. He is awesome at his spelling and his math facts. The best development thus far is that he now loves to read! He has discovered Beverly Cleary books and Captain Underpants and will happily read for an hour at a time now! He is also very willing to read to Cassie and Scotty which just melts my heart--what a great brother!
Cassie will always find a project for herself at the table with the boys. She loves to "color" and loves to organize cards. Our kitchen table has drawers in it and Cass has them all full of fun things that she can pull out and line up. It's great to have these little munchkins growing and becoming wonderful little people in the house!

Fun in the Sun...freezing water...

or maybe i'm the only wimp who thought it was cold! here it is..."ode to rosanne's ski-boat" with an official picture. let me say that i am so impressed with rosannes boating prowess--this trip was done minus husbands (ok, she did recruit her brother! ) and we all had a great time with no mis-haps! (rosanne, you are so competent!) I almost froze my rear off because i can't waterski to save my life apparently, but the kids all tubed and enjoyed the boat ride! cassie was so impressed with the smoothe sailing that she fell asleep sitting up in the boat and then...
continued her nap on the rocky beach! she stayed asleep while i lifted her up, jumped off the boat into the water, then carried her to the blanket and slid a wetsuit under her head! (i was totally amazed!) thanks rosanne! you rock!

Happy Birthday Scotty!

Scotty turned six this week and got to celebrate with the "utah boy cousins". My sister and brother that live here only have boys, so we had quite the party with 8 boy cousins! (cassie had to hold her own, but no one fought her for the pink bowl!)
Grandma and Grandpa were here visting too and it was great to be able to have such a big family party. Scotty got spoiled with lots of fun presents and had an absolute blast! I've been enjoying the fact that he loves to use his new presents...spirograph (we've caught armando playing with it too), blendy-pens (which are way cool), caps and hand-cuffs (what was i thinking?), legos and a plane! All week he has been sitting at the table and creating new things!what more could a six-year-old (or a mom) want?
Scotty you are tons of fun to have in our family! We love you!