On Friday morning the kids ditched school and we left for Cascade. This is a picture of Lewiston as we were coming down the big huge hill. The rain looked so cool!
The weather got worse from there. This is McCall as we were passing through.
Luckily that was the last we saw of the snow. My sister Dana was there with her 4 kiddos. My dad came up later that night with my brother-in-law Jason. It was such a great weekend! The kids got to have some serious cousin time. They were outside the entire time, even though it was kind of cold and rainy.
Uncle Jason was reading them scriptures. They were obviously glued to every word he said.
We went to some hot springs, I can't remember the name. Look how quaint the office is. I can't believe I have been going to Cascade all these years and haven't ever been there! It was so fun! The kids had a great time, and the adults did too. It was a win-win.
Elliot was cracking me up with this snorkeling mask. He was bound and determined to get it on even though it was obviously too small for him. :)
Here's Ray getting really mad at me for bringing my camera in the water. :)
The ride home was very peaceful and quiet.
We made a fire and made s'mores!
Elliot is cracking me up in this shot!
COUSINS ROCK!!
Naomi couldn't get enough of baby Ila Jo. She was lovin' on her the whole time. :)
We had a little scare with Elliot while we were there. The kids all went on an "adventure" with uncle Jason on Sunday afternoon. They just went hiking along a 4 wheeler trail by my parents house. The kids were all out exploring. Jason called them all back and Elliot wasn't there. Ray got up there with Maggie at about that time and they all were searching for Elliot, all the kids were "helping" a whole lot, I'm sure. Eventually Ray called me so I could go help. When I got that phone call dread is the only word to describe how I felt. Every worst-case-scenario you can imagine was running through my head. My mom, dad, and I ran up to where they were. I prayed the whole time. Looking back on it I can say that I initially felt peace when I prayed. But the longer he was gone the more I let fear take over and started to panic. Some men on 4-wheelers had driven by earlier, before I got there, and they went off to search for him too. They were the ones who found him. I think he was gone for about an hour. They drove up with him and I was so beyond relieved. Elliot was trying so hard not to cry when they drove up. It broke my heart. They said that he was about 1/2 mile away sitting on another trail. Elliot said that he started to get scared so he kneeled down to pray and decided to just sit down. I know that was the Holy Ghost helping Elliot in that moment. If he had kept walking who knows what would've happened. Everything turned out fine and it was a good chance for us to talk to all the kids about safety and what to do if you get lost. It was also a good chance for Elliot to further develop his relationship with his Heavenly Father and learn that prayer is powerful and our prayers are answered.
We had a great weekend and can't wait to do it again (minus the Elliot getting lost in the woods part) over the 4th of July!!
6 comments:
How FUN! I have been to Cascade a few times and LOVE IT!! Elliot's story made me cry! How scary for you (and him). Sheer panic for sure! What a good guy to pray and then just sit down! :) How sweet!!!
Can't wait for the 4th of July. Hopefully we can get all moved in the 1st or 2nd.
Lori will be at her parents today. I'm very jealous, and bored without them here.
Colin
Oh Wow. I can only imagine your panic!! I'm totally using that story in FHE for a safety lesson and a praying and listeing to the Holy Ghost lesson. So glad he was safe and sound.
I was shaking (literally) reading about Elliot getting lost. Man, praise the good Lord that he is ok and thought to pray... you too, Becky.
Wow.
I, too, am very envious of all these cousin adventures. I am happy that so many of the cousins (and their parents) will live so close to each other in the next couple weeks, it sort of enhances the lonely and far-removed feelings, but it is what it is and there are no universities in the pacific northwest calling me ;-)
Hope to see some awesome fireworks photos soon.
Crystal, you should call them - the Pacific NW universities. It would be so great to get all of us back out here in the West.
What a great post. I can't believe I didn't comment before this. The pictures of the cousins on the teeter totter are fantastic! I stared at the picture of Colby, Elliot, and Maggie sleeping forever. So hilarious. I loved this summer full of cousin time!
And Crystal, I'm praying for you to be able to find a job in this direction!!!!
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