More Camping

The next day, we did a little more digging around the blue forest area and found some small pieces, but nothing great.  Went back to camp, ate, had a lovely nap while the kids whispered whilst playing rummicube, packed up and left.

Nice campground right by the river, but man were the mosquitoes bad.

Isaac, Allison, and Ammon had fun playing in the flooded river catching minnows.   Ammon liked washing his hands in the mud.

Hunting for Rocks

The plan was to meet my parents in Fontenelle, WY at a "derelict" store, camp, then hunt for blue forest petrified wood at noon.  We were only two hours behind schedule, so not too bad.  But, it was for a great reason.

I was driving in the middle of no where Wyoming and saw a sign that said something about Martin's Cove.  Huh?  Then another a few miles later.  What?  I didn't know that was here!  So we stopped and had a short visit.  Well, we tried to keep it short but those friendly missionaries like to chat :)

We all pulled carts around a gravel pathway, watched a movie about a pioneer that crossed the plains, visited the museum, the blacksmith shop, and the fort. 

 Ammon hitching a ride.

 Can you guess what the weird thing on top of the china cup is?  I'll tell you at the end of this post.

 All the kids got a prairie diamond ring from the Blacksmith shop.

 Isaac cracks me up.  He had a scab that made a smiley face and thought it was so funny.  He even later told Grandma and Grandpa about it.

It is always so fun to see my parents and my kids' reaction to them (both sets of grandparents for that matter).  We got parked, hid in their trailer because the mosquitoes, even though it seems impossible, were worse than Minnesota.  By far.  Wow-eeeee.
In 90 degree weather, we headed out to see if we could unearth some great discoveries.

 Ammon carried this bucket around until it was brimming with rocks.  He was about a block from the truck in not the easiest terrain to navigate and kept asking help to carry it back.  I told him that he would have to and to go through it and choose his favorite rocks to keep.  A little bit later I looked up to see him with his elbows up to his ears straight out carrying the bucket in 5 feet increments.  A determined little guy.

The best thing found was a horny toad, now named Squirmy.  He has brought so much happiness to my kids, specifically Isaac and Allison.  I was jaw dropped to see Allison hold a lizard.  They have developed true feelings for this reptile and wavered whether to let him go or keep him.  So far, it's a keeper.
Answer:  so the gents wouldn't get their mustaches dirty.  Why aren't these made today??  Brilliant!

Trip to Utah

Saying goodbye to Dad is always hard to do.  Only three weeks apart this year.

Allison is holding Bob.  Bob is Isaac's monarch caterpillar that we've adopted and are taking with us.  He went through a couple of names, Chomper, Munchie, but Bob it is.  We found new leaves for him this morning.  It's hilarious hearing the kids talk about how he eats and poops and what he's up to.  My poor kids will never have a dog or cat, so odd pets will have to do.

Stopped for a 15 minute hike on the Wrinkled Rock trail.  Isaac counted mushrooms and flowers.  All the kids were obsessed with the rocks: mica schist and quartz crystal make for a shiny trail.
Exploring is amazing.  There were a few precious rain drops that made it smell heavenly.
When we were driving into the trail parking lot, I got super excited to be in the West and mountains and started clapping and shouting for joy.  Isaac said, "Mom drank too much caffeine."

Jacob LOVES hugs from his Mom.  wa wa wa.

Horsethief Lake.  Wish I'd had my "real" camera out, but loved the raindrops on the lake.  This is the cliff jumping lake we've stopped at a couple of time.  

 Jacob found a pie shaped rock.

Ammon really does love me.  He wanted to get down to cross the stream.

Justin has earned us a free hotel stay and so we used it on this trip.  We picked the hotel and had to only pay taxes, about $7, I got checked in and the pool is out.  Holy lame-ness.  Building frustration in Mom.  So the kids watched a Phinneas and Ferb show on tv.

Can't leave Bob in the hot car, so he got to watch the movie too.
***
As of this afternoon, surprisingly after a McDonalds lunch, I've started uphill and feel much better.  Only mild body aches and stuffy nose.  I'm seeing the sun through the clouds.

Jacob is 15. Yes 15.

It is a rare thing when people believe me when I tell then how old Jacob is.  I still get asked frequently if we need to get a babysitter.  But indeed, he is 15 this year.  We weren't able to schedule in drivers ed yet, but it's coming soon.  You can get a permit in Minnesota when you turn 15.  Ca-RAY-Zeee!  

We did donuts again for his birthday.  He loves them.  I might have made him a cake but I have caught a cold that would make Satan cry.  We leave for Utah tomorrow (if I get a good nights' sleep and feel a smidgen better).

Notice the missing arm on his glasses.  We have to wait until August for insurance to kick in. 

Ammon is 6!

We had presents first thing in the morning.  It was an unusual day where we had nothing set in stone so were able to have a true family day for Ammon.

Ammon is a HUGE gum lover.

A new ball for his favorite place: the tramerline.

First recognition of what his present is.  Can you see the happiness?  Love!

After presents we hopped in the car and drove to Elm Creek Park Preserve (about 20 minutes away) to a fabulous new park.  Jacob tends to overuse the word "epic" but this truly was.

 Ammon top of the climbing rock.

 HUGE climbing gym.

 This is a lovely concept and a fun swing.  There was a line so we only were on it a few minutes.

 Oh so dizzy!  And so much laughing!

 This place does make you feel like a kid again.  Justin and Allison were on one side of the teeter totter, and Ammon and I on the other.  Justin got a kick out of making us smack our butts down. 

New outfit :)  And no I did not ask Justin to take this.  As if.  Sheesh.

  After a non-eventful lunch of Wendys at a park, Justin dropped me home so I could work on editing pictures, then took the kids to see Cars 2 (free tickets yay!)

Ammon's cake of choice this year was ice cream cake. ***
Happy Birthday my boy!

Last night I heard him talking with his sibs, "I don't feel six, but I look six."