In our case, we don't pack up for the beach. We don't go 4 wheeling (although Jeff would have welcomed a men only drive I'm sure at this point). We don't continue to eat more sugary treats. We listen to our bossy big sister (me) and get in the truck and go for a drive. Even if one of the little girls is giving you the look of death as you turn off her movie and tell her to get in the truck now! Sorry, Emily. You weren't around and it had to be done.
Our adventure lead us to the Paris Ice Caves. Jeff and I were the only ones who had been there before and to be quite honest, we were afraid everyone would be even more bored, tired, and grouchy (we knew they would cool off in the caves so hot wasn't a worry once we got there) when they saw the actual caves. If you're a world traveler with high expectations of scenery then this might not be the best use of your time when you're trying to get everyone to stop being bored and grumpy.
Check out the wildlife! They were everywhere and in no mood to get out of the road. The kids were both asleep for the drive to the ice caves and missed out on all the cattle. But on the way back, Cole excitedly pointed out every cow he saw with by saying "neigh" (we're still working on what a cow says) and "that that that" (what's that?).
Kurtis walking along the trail to the cave. Well, here he is walking back out of the cave. It really is amazing that this tiny cave, smack dab in the middle of the mountains. I'm sure the pioneers were every so grateful to stumble upon it. What a blessing to find something where they could keep food cold year round. And I"m sure they had some fun parties in the summer with fresh snow and ice.
So typical that Ruby is in no mood to actually go on the adventure but when we get there, she's the one who has the most fun. Pearl was excited to go to a cave when we left Bear Lake but once we got there, decided she wasn't much in the mood for cold and walking along this little bridge over the icy water. Jeff took her and Cole out of the cave and into the warmth while I continued to explore a bit. The next thing I know though, is the three of them are now perched at the top of the caves looking down. It slightly freaked me out.
Don't even think about it Mom. Luckily my Mom throws like a girl. But Kurtis about got me right square in the butt.
I'm sure my family gets super annoyed with all my family shots. Oh well. Now we have proof we were all there and had fun. We missed Emily... she had to go home for a few hours to get some work done.
Hmmm... didn't we come here with two kids?
Oh, there's Cole!
Now we have a family picture.
My sister must have super human strength. Don't let go Kimmy!
Pearl and Ruby had fun exploring as "adventurers" looking for rocks, flowers, bugs, and things to climb on. They happily posed for pictures and were eager to show me how to be an explorer. Pearl found a rock she just had to have so we loaded it up in the truck and took it home with us. It's now sitting in our flower bed. And poor little Ru-bug. She had a nasty mosquito bite on her forehead that kept getting bigger and bigger. Her poor little face and eyes were swollen.
No explorers.
One explorer.
Two explorers.
The kids and puppies didn't want to leave so we put them in the back of the truck to get some of the wiggles out before we drove back to Bear Lake. Cole was being so funny. He'd squeal and then laugh and do his muscles trick then repeat with some more happy squealing. There was even some licking of the dusty truck. Gross. 
It really was a beautiful area. We could yell and hear our echos, which Pearl thought was really fun. The wild flowers were out in bloom and the trees were green. It was quiet and peaceful. We were the only ones at the cave. The last time I went was in Young Women's and the place was packed. It really did help everyone calm down and cool down.
Why do boys always have to climb on the highest, most jagged rocks possible?
Jeff always teases me when we drive anywhere that one day he's going to stop at every single historical marker there is. It's really a tease directed at my Mom who loves to stop at all these little historical markers - ok, so it's really because she always makes us stop at Cove Fort if we're down that way even though we've all been there and don't have any desire to go there again. So on the way back, we stopped at the Paris, Idaho Tabernacle. It was a beautiful building. Too bad it was just closing when we got there.
It was a good adventure. And I think the next time I tell my family that we're leaving and going to have fun, they'll believe me.
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