Lava Hot Springs

We took a day trip to Lava Hot Springs with a couple of friends on Tuesday.  It was a long drive through “scenic” southern Idaho, but we had a great time once we got there.  Nate and Ben were brave and jumped off all three platforms (5m, 7.5m, and 10m).  I didn’t want my kids to think I am a complete wimp, so I did one jump off the lowest platform.  That was scary enough for me.  There were lots of different things to keep everyone busy.  The speed slides were a blast.  It was a hike (111 stairs) to get to the top, but so much fun.  The curly slides were a big hit with the kids too.  It took a lot of convincing to get Abby to go down the first time, but then she couldn’t be stopped.  There was a bit of synchronized diving/swimming (thank you Olympics), some water footsketball (the boys only had a water football to play with but wanted to play basketball), keep away, rock wall climbing, and all kinds of water play.  We had the added entertainment of watching Santa do some fancy dives off the platforms.  Abby stepped on a bee and got stung on the bottom of her foot, but other than that it was a perfect day with friends and family.  I think Lava may become be a once-a-year activity for our family.

Family Boating Trips

We had a couple of fun family boating trips last week.  We took Heidi and Aaron and their kids out on Monday.  Memorable moments: Austin throwing up over the side of the boat (4 times); Gavin screaming his lungs out while riding the kneeboard with Aaron; Emily being shocked and surprised (and a little ticked off) when she learned that they had taken the boat out while we were at tumbling (apparently she thought they were just going to sit on the beach and wait for us to get back); Aaron and Ben taking a couple of super wild rides on the tube . . . Nate has a whole new level of respect for his little brother’s ability to stay on the tube.

Thursday was my family’s turn.  The weather cooperated for a perfect day on the water.  The kids took turns playing on the beach and going out in the boat.  They had a great time together.  Memorable moments: finding a frog on the beach; Lesle cutting her leg on the hydrofoil; lots of skiing and kneeboard progress by all of the kids, most notably, (for our little family) Ben skiing without the stabilizer bar and crossing the wake.