Petroglyph Day Trip

Michael took a day off work and we drove out to the Melba area to look at Native American petrolglyph rock carvings.  The petroglyphs date from 12 thousands years ago until as recently as 150 years ago.  Neither of us had ever been there and I've been feeling that we need to explore more as a family so we loaded up for a day trip.

Saw some of the rock carvings and went for a hike.  Crossed the Snake River on a historic bridge.

After hiking up.  If you look closely you can see a small building in the back right corner of the picture.  We started there, crossed the bridge and then climbed.  Libby kept wanting to go back because it was so steep she was afraid we wouldn't make it back down.

Taking a break to eat a snack and drink some water.  Thanks to the beast of a dog for carrying it all in his doggy backpack (bought in a futile effort to slow him down a little bit).

The highlight of the trip.  We drove for over an hour to inspect history close up and learn about our great state.  We spent a few minutes looking at the petroglyphs and a long time whining about the hike but the kids happily spent 1/2 an hour feeding Cheerios to the red ant colony.  It was high drama watching the ants finally make it all the way to their entrance carrying a Cheerio and then not have it fit down the hole.  Don't worry, the ants persevered and were able to get the second Cheerio down the hole much faster.  Next time maybe we should cancel the trip and just sit outside feeding bugs. 

The little ones were a bit pooped on the way back so Libby packed Sam and Dad packed Grace.  I was dealing with the dog and Ethan was far ahead. 

Examining the rocks.

Finding rocks with built in seats.

Gotta have a girl picture too.

Examining the structure.  Is it a teepee?  We should research that.  That's what a good mom would do.

Before we left we made a 13 mile detour and examined map rock.  The kids were finally impressed but alas the rock paled in comparison to the lizard they caught behind the rock.  The history lessons were a flop but I think we accidentally snuck some biology in there

Grocery Shopping

It started out as just another grocery trip.  We biked, we shopped, we loaded the bike with the groceries.  Then Ethan hopped on his bike and discovered a massive flat.  Being the resourceful mom I am a noticed a Harley repair shop next door.  We didn't even make it to the shop door before a very nice lady poked her head out and asked if we needed air.  A young guy filled the tire and sent us on our way.  Very nice people at the Harley repair shop on Fairview.

We turned around to haul butt home hoping the tire would hold.  It held!  For 60 seconds.  At first I thought our only option was to walk home.  Then I had a brilliant idea.  I threw Ethan's bike on top of the groceries where the little ones held on to it (my bungee cord was missing after Michael cleaned up my bike).  I threw Ethan up on my rack and pedaled slowly home.  People seemed to be very interested in what we were doing by the amount of rubber necking going on.  I felt like a one-woman parade.  I would have done the homecoming queen wave if I had a hand to spare.

After we got home Ethan said, "Mom if you put this on the blog you should say, 'And Michael thinks he can haul a lot on his bike!'"

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Easter

While we were picking up Bosco the kids attended the Hobson family's annual Easter party.  We then came home and dyed eggs. 

Libby started running a fever after we got home.  Here she is trying gamely to get into the spirit of things while really just wanting to go back to bed.

All the interestingly decorated eggs.

Easter Bunny visited while they were sleeping.

Studying their pictures.

Loving the chalk.

And I'm loving Sam's bedhead.  I may be a bit prejudiced but I have some heck-o-cute kids even with messy hair all around.

"Mama, Take My Picture!"

"Look, look!"  "Mom, take my picture."

Your guess is as good as mine as to what she is doing.

This guy was a little more camera shy.

Adding One More to the Family!

Just a dog people.  We are done adding any other kind of family members.  The day before Easter we went to the Humane Society to pick up our newest addition.  We've been waiting for him for the last two months.  He is one of the dogs trained by prison inmates through the IDAPI program and we applied for him when he started his training.  The kids thought it was perfect that he was ready for adoption the day before Easter.  They thought it was the best Easter present ever.

He is a 14 month old black lab and boxer mix.  He was originally named Butch but I can't stand that name.  The kids loved it though.  We eventually were all able to agree on the name Bosco.  He has some training but is still working on walk manners and not making a break for it every time we open the gate.  The kids love making him play dead and hold a treat on his nose.

They are in heaven having a young dog that will actually play with them.

He's a lot like my other children.  Too smart for his own good.  He taught himself to open the sliding glass door the second day we brought him home and then managed to get the back gate open.  Naughty beast.

Getting ready for Easter!

Everyone needs their own fairy wings.

Looking forward to a long and happy life.