Wednesday we went to some caves. I hadn't realized that the area was so mountainous until we started driving up and down on our way to get to the house.
On the way we went over a dam. Dams are cool, but we had just watched a video about dams and how they have emergency spillways. We were able to find the emergency spillway, which I thought was extra cool.
We got our group picture at the beginning. We should have let our boys wear their sunglasses.
The place had two SpateoBoxes. These seemed really cool...you could get a feel for cave exploring without going into a cave. Isaac did them over and over and over. Joshua only did the outside one once, because he got stung by a wasp. He was at the half way point and let out a scream that I've never heard him scream before. (It took me a second to realize it was him even.) He said something about a bug, but calmed down rather quickly and came out. It was only once he came out that I realized his knee had a puffy dot on it. We found some anti-sting in the old first aid kit in the car and a band-aid (because band-aids cure everything) and he did fine from then on out.
There was a mini-golf course there. We were some of the first customers because we wanted to beat the heat. However, it was nice and shady.
Then some of us went on a little hike. It was very nice, although pretty warm. Ben decided to stay in the A/C and the boys elected to stay with him, so I was duty-free.
Some of us went up the watch tower.
...and we made it back down too.
Meanwhile, the boys did the inside SpateoBox and learned how to play checkers. I think Isaac has played before, but I can't recall for sure.
Lunch! Crazy as always but everyone got food. (After we forgot the bread at home Dusty kindly got some while we went on the hike.)
Ben and Isaac pretending they fell down a hole.
All in! Every time we get together we do something that is all in...shoes, wristbands, etc. This time we didn't have anything quite like that so we did our cave tour passes.
The cave. It was a vertical cave, which I had never been in before. (Not that I've been in many caves.) It was a lovely temperature, especially after the hike. (Joshua put a long sleeve shirt on half way through, but I was happy in shorts and a T-shirt the whole time.)
Another time through the box.
They got some rock candy for fun.
Then we all went home and to our next activity, a surprise birthday party! Katy had been in the hospital during her birthday, so Laura made a cake and Heather brought decorations. (P.S. I think this is the best cake I've ever had. It was raspberry with raspberry frosting.)
When the kids were in bed we played poker. We used to play together all the time, so we still try and do so when we get together. It's almost serious business. I lost all my money pretty quickly.
