Sunday, March 25, 2012

A VISIT FROM THE GREATS.

Late in May, Great Aunt Dora and Uncle Dennis planned a trip down to the southern part of the state for a visit. Since they were planning to stay in Cascade for a couple of days, I made sure I was there too! I absolutely adore my Crazy Aunt Dora and Uncle D! We had a great weekend together and I am indescribably grateful for our time together. Uncle D wasn't feeling very well at all and, unfortunately, had to spend most of his visit inside and sleeping. (I didn't even manage to get a single picture of him). However, on our last night together, Uncle D sat and told me some of his most amazing and hilarious hiking and camping stories. He also offered me some serious, heartfelt advice about going into the woods alone -- which I will honestly cherish forever. It was almost as if somehow he knew the words he spoke to me that night, would be his final words of advice to me. The next day, as I was preparing to return home, I gave Uncle D a great big hug and I told him I loved him. His very last words to me were, "I can't wait to take you hiking." Uncle Dennis passed away less than a week later. Although I was stunned and saddened by his passing, I take great comfort in the fact that I got to hug him and tell him I loved him one last time. He shared so much during our final night together. So much laughter. So much genuine Uncle Dennis. One of my favorite stories he told was of a solo backpacking trip to Red Mountain. Not only was Uncle D an avid and experienced hiker (I always called him a goat) he did a great deal of hiking and camping ALONE. He told of laying in his sleeping bag all alone up on Red Mountain -- out under the stars as always -- when he heard a bear come into camp. He laid very still as any good outdoorsman would. However, that curious old bear walked right over to him and shoved his big, cold wet nose right in Uncle D's sleeping bag! Even after this, he finished out his trip! I have absolutely no intention of spending the night on that mountain alone (especially knowing how frisky the bears are up there) but I am planning a Red Mountain Memorial Hike in Dennis's honor. I figure he'll be watching over me, hiking right alongside of me -- just like he promised he would.

THAT MAKES FOR A HARD TRANSITION TO THE FUN WE HAD THAT WEEKEND, BUUUT, CRAZY AUNT DORA VOLUNTEERED TO HELP DAD SPRUCE UP HIS YARD GATOR.


I THINK SHE DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB!

AND THEN WE TOOK SOME PICTURES TOGETHER
(sure do wish we had got uncle d to come out for a few)

OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T HAVE MUCH FUN TOGETHER!

MY SADIE ADORES CRAZY AUNT DORA!

AUNT DORA, I LOVE YOU!
PLEASE MOVE CLOSER!


Saturday, March 24, 2012

KUNA CAVE, 2011.

As you might recall, the weekend before my sister moved, we took the kids out for some final Idaho adventures together. Dad really wanted to take Makayla and Garrett out to the Kuna caves. The caves are one of these things I'm glad I've seen -- but I don't necessarily need to see them AGAIN. You see, the caves are absolutely FULL of garbage. Normally when I am out and about, I try to pack out more than I pack in. But the amount of garbage in the caves is simply overwhelming. My OCD nerves twitch uncontrollably!!! However, I agreed with my dad that the kids would enjoy crawling around underground. So, I decided to do my best to ignore the trash and go again. Turns out, I was so incredibly sore from working out with my trainer the day before, I couldn't even see the garbage! I have found a new way to deal with others thoughtless, irresponsibility -- pain!!! Despite my vivid memories (even a year later) of hurting the entire exploration, I am so grateful for those hours underground with the kids. They are excellent adventurers and, although they will be further from me now, I know the adventures will never cease! Hopefully the soreness and awful noise I emit, will cease or it is going to be a mighty miserable adventure season!

WE ALL AGREED PAPA SHOULD GO DOWN FIRST
(it is dark down there afterall)!

ONE BY ONE, EACH OF US SWITCHED ON OUR HEADLAMPS AND DISAPPEARED

NANA ALWAYS VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE THE FINAL PICTURES AND KEEP WATCH FROM ABOVE :)

THE BRAVE EXPLORERS

K AND G WITH THEIR SILLY AUNT T

G IN "THE HOLE"

K LOVIN' THE ADVENTURE!

AUNT T STOOD IN THE MAIN CAVE AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE WALL ART
(AND WONDERED WHY, OH, WHY SHE LET HER TRAINER DO THOSE AWFUL THINGS TO HER)

TWO PRETTY TERRIFIC KIDS!
I AM SUCH A BLESSED AUNT :)

MISS MAKAYLA

SIR GARRETT

THE DIRTY CREW

GARR KNOWS HOW TO GET ADVENTURE ALL OVER HIM!

AUNT TESS WONDERS IF HER LEGS WILL EVER STOP HURTING!



AND THEY EMERGE, SQUINTING MIGHTILY!

CAVE CREW, 2011.

WE HAD LUNCH AT THE PARK AFTER OUR ADVENTURE AND THE KIDS PLAYED ON THE SWINGS :)

WHEN WE GOT HOME, GARRETT BUILT AMAZING CARD STRUCTURES . . .

AND MAKAYLA TOOK A NAP -- A GIRL AFTER MY OWN HEART!

DETERMINATION.

I AM 100% DETERMINED TO GET THE GAZETTE CAUGHT UP! SINCE I AM OFFICIALLY A YEAR BEHIND, I THINK IT'S TIME!!! WISH ME LUCK -- BETTER YET, ENCOURAGE ME! I'VE BEEN HAVING SO MANY FUN RECENT ADVENTURES AND I'M DYING TO SHARE! BUT I THINK THE OLD ONES DESERVE THEIR TIME IN THE SPOTLIGHT FIRST!
HERE'S TO MY NEW FOUND DETERMINATION!