Reprise

Can you see the sweat dripping off of us? The lookout had stairs, lots of stairs.

It is a lot of work to go on vacation as a family. We had wanted to do something adventurous before Emma and Stewart left for school/missions. This was the last trip for a long time when everyone will be home. Next opportunity will be 4 years (when Stewart/Maxwell home from missions) and we could be grandparents by then, maybe, so the rough white water rafting trip would have to wait.

This was the year for this adventure!

I hope the kids remember the fun we had! They were good sports and kind to each other.

My favorite parts: squished around the picnic table in the cabin singing "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" in harmony (yeah, Emma and Max!) and passing around the Book of Mormon that all of us forgot but Ross had in his backpack and taking turns reading a verse. And stopping for gas, giving everyone a $2 budget for a treat in Kroger's grocery store and finding Em and Stewart pooling their $4 by the ice cream choosing Klondike bars--thinking they were only getting 3 to share, and then discovering it was a 6 pack and them bargaining for other treats with "What would you do for a Klondike bar?" Watching Roxie in the Princess Seat at the front of of the boat imitating Suzu's dramatic arm spread. Paddle pops and echoes. The spontaneous back flip show. Our guide Healy telling us what amazing kids we have and how impressed he was with their behavior and cooperation working together. John smiling at finally going to Biscuit World. Our anti-fight and listening/discussion/solution about going to Pints and Pizza next time we are in town. John pontificating for Maxwell, and Maxwell getting it, and learning. Ross's kindness running up all those look-out stairs to find missing Roxie!

My favorite part about vacation: coming home and sleeping in our own bed.