The Power of Reunions

There is no doubt the wholesome family recreation that we experienced these past few days spending time with my sister and her family visiting from Boise, ID were the best of times . . .  despite some physical ailments. 

 As a family we:

Went boating, inaguarating the "Hot Dog."

Played lots of games 

(namely "Wolf and Sheep", Monopoly, The Great Dalmuti, etc.)

Wolf and Sheep

Playing The Great Dalmuti

BINGO!

Went swimming. . . and swam some more

Enjoyed lots of company, food, and conversation.

Finally, it's a tradition to have a talent show!

A Talent Show is the easiest way for everyone in the family to show off whatever talent they have and there is no limit to what that talent can be!  If you aren't including talent shows as a tradition in your family gatherings, you should start right now to include them.

Demonstration of playing the Snare Drum

"It's Your Fault" from Into the Woods

We reminiscenced some and shared our dislike for cockroaches (pretty common in this home ;-) -- even killing a few throughout the reunion.

We finally got to take some updated family photos.  

This photo is just of the grandkids with their Gold grandparents.

But, quite honestly I also experienced the power of prayer and the Holy Ghost as we strived to be considerate and loving towards grandpa (my father) who is slowly recovering from medical ailments.  It was nothing short of incredible to witness the priesthood in action as our priesthood holders in the family gave him a blessing.

One of the criteria for wholesome family activities is for family members to grow closer to our Heavenly Father.  Being with our father during this time of healing allowed us to be more chartible and loving towards him, exemplifying more Christlike attitudes and behaviors.  Because he is immobile, he spent much of his time in bed.  Probably my greatest moment this weekend was when I first arrived in the home on a Sunday afternoon and spent some time with him and my siblings at his bedside just talking about anything and everything.  While there with him, I knew that they loved me.  I thought about how wonderful it is that I will be with them forever and that knowledge--that hope--continues to help me through these troubling times as my father recovers.

Being together as a whole family these past few days gave us opportunities to demonstrate just about all the purposes of wholesome recreational activities.

WRA, REL200, Post 8

Inks Lake and Enchanted Rock

Keeping with our annual tradition of camping over Spring Break, this year we headed to the "other side" of Austin to Inks Lake and Enchanted Rock State Parks.  And, this time the whole Texas clan came along.

Trying out our new hammocks.

Going fishing...don't confuse that with catching fish.

 Beginning our ascent to the top of Enchanted Rock.

Still going ...

Robyn loved every bit of it!

Still going up to the summit.

At the top!  

Just love this picture of my mother and us three sisters.  We were trying to get a group picture and the wind wasn't cooperating!

On the other side is a cluster of caves (who knows how many there really are...we didn't explore all the crevices). 

I hiked down into one of them and couldn't get out becaue of the people blocking the entrance.   So, I waited...this is me looking up out of one of the crevices.  Jaren tried to convince me to climb up but we decided that I was too short to reach the hand or foot holds.

 Splashing in Spring Creek back at Inks Lake

All the cousins with Grandma!

 To anybody wondering of young children can hike Enchanted Rock.  Yes, they can.  Though, some may come down looking like this:

 Yes, she slept pretty much during the whole descent.

Spring Camping

It's a priority for us to venture into the wilderness here in Texas and get some camping in during Spring Break. We would love to be able to go twice a year--but until that happens we get all we can out of the one trip.

This year we headed northwest up to Huntsville State Park with other family. We had some fantastically, big campgrounds to run and roam in.

Aidan has comondeered our old tent and can almost set it up on his own now. He prefers not to sleep in our "family" tent anymore (mmm, Boy Scouts must be growing on him).

We took a 2-mile hike that impressed me enough even with the Poison Ivy growing all around...just stick to the trails and boardwalks.

Not quite the jungle-like ecosystem of Oregon but it certainly has it's own kind of "beautiful".

Due to some underbrush fires we did come across some rather interesting tree trunks like this one:

Did some swimming in Lake Raven. Still a bit chilly for that but that didn't seem to slow them down.

Though the fire proved to be a challenge (we blame it on the wood) we did get it going thanks to the help of our air pump. Had some good coals/charcoal to make our dutch oven meals.

Gotta love it down here when Spring has sprung and the wildflowers are in FULL bloom!

Goodbye until next Spring!!

Until I actually get around to posting about life here in Southeast Texas...here's us just finishing up our Spring Break trip (after three days of camping)!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Taken at the Sam Houston Statue grounds just off the I-45 in Huntsville, TX

Favorite Places, Part 2

From the cold, windy Oregon coast to the dry deserts of Utah...

I know I visited here as a child--6th grade as I recall. Right now, the Visitor's Center for Dinosaur National Monument is closed for renovations until October. I was in the mood for some hiking, so it was fine that there was no Visitor's Center to see all the dinosaur bones along the side of a hill.

We took a bus ride up into the Dinosaur National Monument Area and took the "Fossil Discovery" hike. Not sure how long the hike was--only that there wasn't a single bit of shade. What do you expect when you're hiking in East Utah?

Right off the bat, Hunter took off to be right up front with the Ranger asking all sorts of questions and being very attentive.

I started behind (way behind) and hiked alongside Robyn who was moving at a comfortable, let's-touch-every-rock, kind of pace.

She was a good, little hiker.

The Ranger would constantly ask Robyn questions to which she always enthusiastically replied "YEAH!" (See picture below--you can see the ranger's feet in the upper left corner of the photo) Even though she had no clue...

While the Discovery Trail was an adventure, my favorite part of the day was when we ventured off the beaten path (literally) and drove into the canyon. For a moment there we thought we were lost as we followed the map given to us by the ranger. But, we eventually came to a place called Josie's Cabin.

An oasis in the middle of the desert. Lots of shade trees and picnic tables--perfect for a picnic lunch.

Learning the story of Josie Bassett Morris is quite intriguing! You could take some short hikes into Box Canyon if you wanted while relaxing here and wandering around this old homestead complete with a four room cabin, a chicken coop (pictured), a cellar and livestock (okay, there aren't any livestock here anymore).

So, if you're venturing through this part of Utah I recommend picnicking at Josie's Cabin--a bit off the beaten path but you won't regret it. If you appreciate the desert, the drive is quite scenic.

New Favorite Places

My definition of a successful vacation is getting to go places and do things you've never done before. So, here's to new favorite places!

First up: Hobbit Trail and Beach, Yachats, OR

The best way to see this AWESOME, postcard-worthy photo of the Hobbit Trail trailhead is to view it as big as you can!

And to think the ocean is just on the other side of these characteristic trees.

This 1/2 mile trail was recommended to us by my wonderful mother-in-law. She knows how much I love these types of short hikes that my children will do.

This trail is somewhat of a secret. It took me three tries to find it. Aidan was so sure he'd have a miserable time when I said we'd be going on a hike. He quickly changed his mind...

Why do they call it the Hobbit Trail? This is why.

The whole hike engulfs you in a forest full of huge, twisted trees. And, as you get closer to the beach, you literally go through what Hunter and Robyn call "Tree Tunnels". You have to duck to get through them while you go deeper and deeper into the dug out trail. You'll find these little tunnels all along the beach.

Yep--we felt like a hobbit. It was vegetation right out of a fairy tale! And you come out the other end to be greeted by a rather inviting, secluded beach! Have I said it enough?!

Breathtaking!

This beach doesn't boast big climbing rock (so typical of the Oregon Coast) but greets you with a sandy beach complete with an awesome sandhill.

There's shallow tiny, freshwater streams everywhere running into the ocean. That provided endless entertainment for Robyn.

So, if you ever find yourself driving Highway 101 in Oregon, make sure you stop and hike The Hobbit Trail.