Lava Cast Forest

Lest you think we get out all that frequently and feel guilty that you don't ('cause blogs can be a bit one-sided) :) We are still on our 5 day adventure in Eastern Oregon, that we took in September instead of starting school....

However, we worked really hard at making the best of the rain and clouds... we dicovered the Lava Cast Forest which was extremely fun. There were 12 casts to find/see. They were along a path, and the boys loved the "hunt". So did I for that matter! Chad just enjoys seeing us all run around excited -like. :)

pic. 1 A lava cast: A tree or stump covered over with hot lava during a volcanic eruption....then the tree decomposes or burns to nothing and the hole of the tree is left with lava rock to show where it was. (not a super-scientific description but I do love info..)

pic 2.
J and E are squatting near a stump that we thought looked like a teddy bear.

pic.3 L inside the cast of a log

pic.4 All the boys in the deep cast of a tree.

What to do on a rainy day?

Sleep, read, hot tub, and number one thing to do...
PLAY UNO! I am not typically a game fan, but as the rest of the family enjoys it I join in. This was probably the most fun game I have ever played...and it probably had nothing to do with the game. Kids are funny, Chad is funny. I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time! Levi had his"special" cards that he talked about loudly in my ear "whispering" SKIP being his favorite special card. (Levi and I were a team).
Chad asked Josiah what was in his"hand " and Josiah said "nothing" as he looked at his real hands. You had to be there I guess. J and E were out to get me and Levi (very vicious card playing). And we had lots of snacks, so what could be better, We played ever night.

Rainy camping pictures

Chad is known for his ability to "tarp" :) so we were somewhat dry after it go put up, but it was pouring so we didn't do too much (meaning Chad and I) besides try to keep things dry. The kids were fine, but getter wetter by the second and soon to be very cold. So there is the picture of Chad on the phone trying to find us a place to stay without having to go all the way home! It wasn't bad, just knew we couldn't last several more days like that and be pleasant at the same time.

pretend camping

Ok, so we REALLY wanted to go camping this summer..in the tent.  However we got to Eastern Oregon (place picked for better weather) and in short got rained out.  We camped one night and while the tent more or less held up we still ended up with puddles.  I have pictures of that too, should have them in here too. :)  Even with that we though it would stop and were willing to put up with it all until a ranger came by and said the forcast had changed and now a thuderstorm was coming and extending days out. We found a house nearby to rent.  Our last day in the area turned out beautiful and we found a small river to "camp out" at all day. We felt very happy to have a nice day!
I had other pictures but they wouldn"t post.  Oh well. Might post more later. :)

Josiah is carrying his stuffed animal on his back tucked in his shirt. :)