Friday, July 3
Seth had the day off, so we gathered up the flashlights and went to the Civil Defense Cave north of the St. Anthony sand dunes. The girls wanted to know if we would see any bugs or bears or bats in the cave, but the only animal life we observed were swallows that build their nests on the ceiling of the entrance to the cave.
Bekah made sure to hold Seth's hand through most of the cave (although she did trip and bang her knees once, and afterward Seth reminded her to point her flashlight at her feet so she could see where she was going), and Analee got a ride in the mai tei. I thought they'd be more nervous venturing into a giant lava tube, but apparently they felt safe with their parents right next to them.
Bekah, Ana and Andrea outside the cave before we went inside. Please be kind about my face ... I'm still a little swollen.
Andrea, Ana and Bekah inside the cave. Next time, we'll take jackets or coats. Ana stayed warm while she was cuddled up to me, but Bekah got too cold and had to steal Seth's sweatshirt.
Bekah and Seth inside the cave.After emerging from the cave, we drove in to Rexburg, ate lunch, and stopped by the splash park. Both girls enjoyed the water more than years past, but each had to be forced down the water slide by their daddy.
Once we decided we had all had enough water and sunshine, we dried off and took a quick ride on the carousel at the park.
Bekah and Seth rode the big horses. "It's just like in Mary Poppins!" Bekah exclaimed.
Analee and Andrea rode the little horses.We rounded out the day with sparklers and fireworks in our front yard, followed by a camp out in the backyard. Unfortunately, the rain soaked our logs, so we had to roast the marshmallows over the stove burner. But we really did sleep in the tent. It wasn't the best rest in the world, what with the two-year-old who kept making random noises when she was supposed to be falling asleep, the four-year-old waking up in the middle of the night saying, "My foot hurts!" and the extremely annoying magpies that start chirping at dawn. But we survived to see ...
Saturday, July 4
Seth has some longstanding aversion to parades, so my sister and I took the girls to South Boulevard while Seth went golfing with his dad. The parade was even more exciting this year, because the girls REALLY enjoyed it. ("Look, Mommy! Horsies! Cheerleaders! Tubas! A giant ball with words on it!")
Analee's funny face.
Bekah's similar funny face.
Bekah waving to the princess on the castle float.
Aunt Jessica helping Analee eat her ice cream bar that a lady from the Farr's float gave to us.
Rebekah taking it easy.
Analee and Rebekah with the firemen's hats we had to run out to the street to get.
Saturday, July 4
Seth has some longstanding aversion to parades, so my sister and I took the girls to South Boulevard while Seth went golfing with his dad. The parade was even more exciting this year, because the girls REALLY enjoyed it. ("Look, Mommy! Horsies! Cheerleaders! Tubas! A giant ball with words on it!")
Analee's funny face.
Bekah's similar funny face.
Bekah waving to the princess on the castle float.
Aunt Jessica helping Analee eat her ice cream bar that a lady from the Farr's float gave to us.
Rebekah taking it easy.
Analee and Rebekah with the firemen's hats we had to run out to the street to get.We survived the post-parade traffic and made it to my parents' house where we had and incredible lunch and visited for the afternoon.
Between the two days' activities, the girls were pretty burned out, so instead of fighting the crowds to attend the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, we enjoyed a quiet evening at home with dinner, baths and Super Mario Galaxy. Happy birthday, America!
Between the two days' activities, the girls were pretty burned out, so instead of fighting the crowds to attend the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, we enjoyed a quiet evening at home with dinner, baths and Super Mario Galaxy. Happy birthday, America!