Snow Camping: Ape Caves

This weekend we took our kids snow camping at the Mt. St. Helen's Ape Caves.  I feel cool just saying it. . . snow camping (I'm well aware that I am a dork).  What really happened is that AH was taking his boy scouts snow camping and we just tagged along (still very cool though). 

We arrived after dark so no pictures of setting up camp or preparing dinner.  Here are images from the rest of our trip.

Camp

Feeding the camp robbers.

 

Breakfast consisted of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, hot cocoa and orange juice.   

Cool little shelf cave in our camp.

 

Beeb and I.

 

 Everyone got into trying to get the camp robbers to land on their hand.

We took a short hike over to the Trail of Two Forest and the kids explored the lava made molds of trees and underground L-shaped shafts formed by two fallen trees. "While crawling on your hands and knees, you will notice that the tunnel walls are covered with ribs and cracks matching the bark of the trees that once filled this space. Luckily for your head, much of the ceiling has been glazed by the wood fire that burned in the tube. Thirty feet in, you will make a turn to the left and see the light. A ladder at the end of the crawl will bring you back up to the boardwalk." Website info.

One of the exits (the other was blocked by too much snow).

 

 The actual Ape Cave entrance was a snowy mess.  Thankfully some kind person left a rope to hold on to as you slide your way down.

 

Here's a video of some kids making their way down the entrance (note Beeb at the end):

Mr. B making his way down the entrance:

 

 Bright flashlights or headlamps are a must - it's pitch black in the caves.

 

We found a little shelf that needed exploring.

 

 

  AH took a photo from up top the shelf looking down on those waiting.

The famous "meatball".  We were able to boost Steve up onto it. 

When asking if any of the scouts wanted to join Steve nobody volunteered.  Beeb raised her voice up and said, "I'll do it!"

 

Coming out of the caves was just as tricky as going into them.

Our little family with Mt. St. Helen's peeking out behind us. 

It was a very bright day so Steve made some of the kids duck-tape sunglasses.

 

AH had this conversation with Beeb during our hike.  Here is what occupies the mind of an 8 year old (think Mindcraft) :

To complete the Upper Cave we decided to enter it a the exit.  This is me doing a basic repel down to the ladder (again and icy mess, though this time with no handrails to hold onto).

 

Beeb was the first kid down this shoot.  She was very very nervous and unfortunately the rope was tied around her waist but then there wasn't enough slack to get her all the way to the ladder so AH had to go retrieve her (only a few extra feet).  I am proud of her for not letting her fear prevent her from trying - this really built up her confidence.  Mr. B, being fearless, had no problem and probably would have tried skiing down it if we'd let him (crazy boy!).  

 

 

It was a fun adventure and I am still very sore from it.  The caves are amazing to see any time of the year, just be sure to bring extra batteries.



Pinewood Derby

This month Mr. B participated in the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.  The rules were very straight forward; all participants must use the kits provided to make their cars (no buying premade cars off the internet).  This is how we've always made our cars so it was no problem for us.

Each year AH wants Mr. B to have the fastest car on the track (because he is a typical dad), while the goal for Mr. B is to have a "cool" car.  This year his car finished 6th overall, however Mr. B ended up winning the award for "most awesome car" with his Humvee derby car (machine gun, cut from wood, included on top).  He was super happy!

 Mr. B's Bear Den was in charge of the flag ceremony at the event.

 

 

Mr. B's camouflaged Humvee waiting for its race.

 

Tool boxes for the winners.  Love it!

Race time!

  

 

Most Awesome Car. . .  I think most awesome smile too!

 

I love the Pinewood Derby.  AH and Mr. B have so much fun designing and making his car each year.  We also have really great scout leaders who make this event so much fun each year for the boys.  I hope Mr. B is able to squeeze in one more derby next year (his birthday is right around derby time) - maybe AH will finally get his "win" too.

Technology Challenged

Recently AH was trying to get our car GPS to show us the route to a US Forrest Service road.  The GPS could not locate the road and AH's frustration was growing exponentially by the second.  After a lot of grumbling on AH's part I finally asked him, "Why are you  even trying to get this on the GPS when I already know how to get there?"  AH's reply, "Rebs, we have technology and must use it."

Super Kids

I was up and out the door early this morning (brrrr) in order to have time to fit in some miles before the busy day took over.  I returned home fairly early which left me with plenty of time to get cleaned up and the kids off to school.  However, the kids had other plans and while I was dressing they took it upon themselves to make and pack their own lunches.  As I was on my way to the kitchen I overheard them talking about it and I asked, "Did you make your own lunches?"  "Yes." Beeb replied.  "We thought we'd give you a break today."

What a great way to start the week!  Now if I could only get them to do my running for me .

Sweet Sweet Man

AH loves it when I talk about him (feel the sarcasm) but I simply need to record this wonderful thing he did for me today for our kiddo's to read about when they get older.

Weeks ago I started back running after several months away from it. It feels so good to be building my muscle and endurance back up. As part of the training I often have my longest run of the week on Saturday mornings. I have a great group of people that I run with and it really helps make these longer mileage days bearable by enjoying conversations that deflect my focus from how tired I might be feeling or how I mentally want to quit.

Today was no exception to the regiment and it was a long 9 miles that were completed with some aches and pains that, unfortunately, have not relented all day.  After finishing my run I then spent most of today at a conference being spiritually fed while AH was on parental duty. When I finally sauntered home mid-afternoon I was still not feeling well and really not looking forward to taking on my share of parenting responsibilities. Thankfully the kids were fully engaged in an activity so after being home less than hour I took a moment to lie down and hoped it might give me some relief. My “brief” rest resulted in my waking up 3.5 hours later when I heard AH come and gently close our bedroom door to keep the kid noise out so my sleep would not be interrupted. How sweet is that man?!

AH's tender consideration really touched me. My poor husband had a hard week at work and then spent his entire Saturday on kid duty, actively building a chicken coop, preparing all meals and settling the usual kid disputes while I was checked out even when I was home. I really appreciate his thoughtfulness toward me and when I thanked him for letting me rest his sincere response was, "When I run 9 miles in a day I'll expect the same consideration." He could not have said anything more respectful to me if he tried because, if you don't know my husband, AH hates running (as a sport) so this is never going to happen. I have always appreciated his support in this area; I know it takes a toll on him having me gone each week for several hours in order to train properly.  What I didn’t expect was his esteem for how hard it is physically on my body to reach that next level of endurance.  Sure, in a few weeks 9 miles won’t floor me at all but right now, this very day, it did and AH didn’t put me on a guilt trip because of it; he just quietly allowed me to recover. 

I married a good honorable man.

Beeb Logic: Laman & Lemuel

The other night as Beeb was preparing to say her prayers she tearfully told me that when she shares stories from the scriptures with her classmates they make fun of her and tell her the scriptures aren't true. 

 

Me:  Aren't there a lot of examples in the scriptures of people not believing the prophets who shared the gospel, even while it was happening?

 

Beeb:  Yes. . .  like Laman and Lemuel.

 

Me:  Exactly!  Just like Laman and Lemuel.

 

Beeb:  There are lots of Laman and Lemuel's in the world.

 



 

Me (to myself): Unfortunately that is true.

Old Testament

OVERHEARD:  AH is reading scriptures with the kids tonight.  He is explaining Old Testament prophets to them, specifically Abraham, and the tribes of Israel when I hear Mr. B say, "You mean Abraham Lincoln?"

Melt. My. Heart. Cute.

Dinner Strike

Mr. B is sitting at the kitchen table trying to negotiate his way out of eating dinner.  Currently he is offering to pay us $10.00 if we will not make him eat what food remains on his plate. 

Kids are so funny.

Museum of Flight

What to do during mid-winter break from school?  Today I opted to take Mr. B and his friend to the Museum of Flight.  Beeb wanted nothing to do with this adventure, though last night, after watching a cool video on the museum website, she was second guessing her decision.

 

This was the ultimate boy experience for this age.  As soon as we pulled up to the museum they were oohing and aahing over the planes on display outside.  Mr. B was eager to share his knowledge about each plane and I was surprised to see how right he was most of the time.  His military obsession continues.

 

That is one big bomber and two small boys!

 

The highlight of the trip was the flight simulator. 

Here are the boys practicing before it was their turn to get into the simulator.

 

 Simulator time is here and they are so excited! 

Once the hatch closed I could hear them laughing and screaming inside. 

 

Testing out some fighter jets on display. 

 

 

 

 

Future astronauts?  Possibly.

 

 

 

Another highlight was a tour of an actual full scale Space Shuttle trainer.  This replica was used for decades to train actual astronauts in the U.S. Space Program.  7 astronauts are aboard a space shuttle and lets just say that space within is very very tight!  The astronauts would spend 14 days in space during each mission . . . with no showers!

 

 

 

 2 sleeping bunks.

 

Cockpit/Command Center 

 

 

 Silly boys!

 

Practicing their landing skills. 

Let's just say it will be a long time before I ever allow either of them to drive anything! 

 

 

Two ants boys beneath a big 747. 

 

They *loved* touring Air Force One.

 

 

 

 

The museum had an impressive display of planes and memorabilia from WWI and WWII.

 

Fun for all! 

 

 

Thankfully at the end of our visit we were all ready to go home.  The boys had a fantastic time and I took equal pleasure watching their excitement throughout the day.  Mission accomplished.



Beeb Logic: Bunions

Today the kiddo's and I joined AH in teaching his scout troop how to ski (all of them for the very first time).  It was an interesting day on the mountain as far as the weather was concerned.  Within a few hours time we had rain, sleet, snow, glorious sunshine, rain, hail, rain and fog.  Truly it was strange and after a few hours of having said weather beat down upon us our snow gear did get a bit soggy and we were all getting chilled. 

Toward the of our day, while riding the ski lift with Beeb, she complained that her pinky was cold and that her "bunion" was wet and cold too.  Looking at her I said, "Your bunion?" Giggling she replies, "That's what I call my bottom." 

That girl is so goofy! 



On a sad note, one of our new baby chicks died today.  Not sure why as we followed all instructions exactly, but alas she passed away this evening.  Beeb is very very sad.  She cried for a long time and kept wailing "I want my chicken back." As a parent that was heartbreaking in and of itself.  She included the little chick in her prayers tonight and I hope that brings her some solace. 

Beeb's Valentine Class Party

This year I attended Beeb's Valentine's Day class party.  The teacher had many fun activities for the kids that included making a secret valentine for another student in class (using lots of cool stickers, etc. to decorate), a custom placemat that had little notes on it from each classmate about that individual student, fun treats and a contest for homemade valentines boxes. 

 

 

Beeb made this cute green heart antenna headband before school on Valentine's Day. 

 

All the parent volunteers were asked to judge the valentines boxes and give out category awards.  All the boxes were really cute and creative which made the judging very hard.  Parents were not allowed to vote for their own child's box and I knew Beeb would be crushed if she didn't win an award for her Valentine Mailbox that she worked so hard to create.  Thankfully Beeb's teacher noticed that her mailbox was made from recycled cereal boxes and she thought it was very clever.  The other parents agreed and then decided it was definitely deserving of the "Most Valentined Themed" award due to all the hearts (heart antenna, painted hearts and the heart flag) and kind messages on it.  Little did they know that when Beeb designed her mailbox it was in hopes of winning that specific award.  She was thrilled!

 

She had a great time and felt very loved.

Peaceful Saturday

Our little family is getting back into a Saturday routine that I have missed.  Here is today's agenda thus far: 

• Me:  nice long run (today it was 7 miles) with a great group of friends.
• Family:  Came home to AH, Mr. B and Beeb actively playing Monopoly - everyone is still in their jammies (unheard of for AH).  Mr. B is trouncing everyone.
• Me:  Leisurely soak in the tub.
• Me:  High protein breakfast (scrambled eggs with mushrooms, spinach and avocado).
• Morning chores for everyone.
• AH & Mr. B:  Designing and cutting out Mr. B's pinewood derby car.
• Beeb:  Having a friend come over to play.
• Me:  Making snack bars for lunches this coming week.
• Family:  A nice leisurely day at home.

This relaxed schedule has been going on for a few weeks and I quite like it; it keeps us balanced.  Also, for months I have missed starting off my day running and so I love getting that good feeling going so early once again.