Camp DuRoss- Part 2

Okay, so, water was the theme this year.  9 water events in 8 days.  Water is great with kids AND adults.  Water is also fluid, like you have to learn to be as a parent and a part of a group.  So I guess this all makes sense for us.

Drove over the pass for a float trip on the Snake River.  Another day basking in some of this planet's best views.

These two...

led to these 15.  Pretty cool.  

Chip, who I think was a photographer in a previous life...or maybe his soul is moving towards that for his next time around ;), caught this shot back at the house.

Oh jeez..forgot I brought the felt too.  I think I am a mess instigator!  My inner child is just really alive, what can I say!?

Nana made us all sing and dance.  Love that.  A family that dances together is a family that stays together.  True story. :)

One morning it was raining.  We headed up to Targhee to see what we could find.  As I mentioned before, hiking is a little difficult, however, Erika solved any resistance this day with her nifty sample boxes for each of the kids.  The assignment was to gather samples that were all linked by some common theme.  Owen chose to collect bugs and Ruby chose to collect flowers.  Both boxes were chock full of awesomeness by the end of our walking.  It is amazing how much more you see when you are looking.  I am sure we will do this again.  Thanks, Erika!

Everyone was part of the searching.

Cute.

These two ditched us and the pool to push for a hike to the top.  Nice work, ladies!

We thought Music on Main might get rained out this year but the clouds parted for Texas Locals, The Suffers, to take the stage.  The music was fantastic and the dancing...oh yeah, I think you already know how I feel about dancing.  Good times.

Love.

Oh man!  Nana and Papa outdid themselves again.  This group of little people were "looking for marmots" when they stumbled across a map!  Well, who would have guessed?  It looked like remnants of something from that Chief Swallow Bird from the story Nana read a few years ago.  Hmmm...better follow it.

And, we are off!

PS- we like to get dressed up for adventures like this.  Just so happens that Nana has a chest of hats and scarves in case of such events.  Phew. ;)

Map says fill Suburban with 15 people and head up to the trail at the top of the road.  Let's go!

Love.

We are hot on the trail!

This is a REAL map, people.  We found the second part pinned to a tree with an arrow.  It is going to lead us to treasure for sure.

Well, what do you know?  Found...after lots of hiking, searching, map reading, and fun.  Can't wait to get home and see what kind of treasures are in this mysterious box.  

One of the master minds.  Pleased with this group's find.

Two more pleased people.  "We love treasure!"

Started the trip on the Teton River, and ended it there too.  This time we had paddle boards, all three families with kids went, and we had a blast goofing around on the river all afternoon.

Finn rocked the paddle board.

Selah paddled her own kayak...with cargo!

We spent all day trading passengers from one watercraft to another.

Brothers.

These kids are awesome.

Trip ended also with the now traditional awards ceremony.  I would say we all won in SO many ways.  Thanks, Nana and Papa, for hosting another Camp DuRoss.  The planning was so thoughtful and perfect.  Your love and generosity of spirit and resources is always a great inspiration to us.

Thought I would wrap up with a few great shots of the view from the deck.  Love this deck and this valley.

Back home!  Kessler was missed. ;) We will miss our time with family also.  Love you all!

Camp DuRoss- Part 1

Victor, Idaho, and Nana and Papa, we have arrived!  All the DuRoss cousins together again!  Yehaw.   

First adventure- a through hike on the Aspen Trail. Four miles doesn't sound like a lot of distance to cover until it turns into five and you factor in a few doddling four year olds.  ;) We made it, snacked a lot a long the way, played a lot of hide and seek, and sucked the nectar out of most of the Indian Paintbrush along the way.  

Dinner with 7 kids.  I feel so grateful for all the progress and development that has taken place over the years.  The kids can have their own table without much supervision and, as seen below, they are starting to carry their own gear, get their own shoes on, and, in future pictures you will see, the older kids can already paddle their cousins in their own boats/boards!  Amazing.

We paddled the Teton River a few times.  This is a gorgeous and beautiful stretch of river.  It was a highlight last year and again this time.  

Joy

The clouds!  What a show.

Cuties- both of em.  :)

And, after an afternoon on the river, why stop the water events?  Let's hit the pool!

Nana and Papa scored this awesome membership at the this amazing pool that we usually take over and have mostly to ourselves.  The views are great, the kids are happy, and the adults are often able to catch a minute to read....yeah, I said READ people.  Life is good poolside.

Nana is a horse lover and feels at home on the ranch.  We are so grateful she shares this love with our little ones.  Even the younger kids got to ride full size horses this year! 

My little wrangler.

Owen and "Fuzzy"

Ruby and "Annie"

These four.  Melt my heart.

I brought a few projects to entertain the kids at the house.  We made masks and played with water balloons.  I think I nearly got exiled from Camp DuRoss by Papa.  I guess I am so used to messes that I forget to consider the mess a project or activity might cause.  Whoops. ;)  It all cleaned up just fine....I think.

Nola

Ruby

Ruby

Judah

Owen

Selah

Despite the mess, I think they came out smashingly, don't you?!

Erika noticed this phenomenon taking place on the counter.  I have never seen this before.  Glorious.

Palisades Reservior- We have been thwarted on this adventure two years in a row, but not this year!  It was another highlight.  The boat was running, we rented paddle boards, and found one very special spot on this earth.

This family is nuts!  15 people, at least 6 large water "toys", not to mention the towels, food, and water necessary to sustain all those people for a day in the sun...loaded onto ONE boat trip to this private dock in a cozy little cove.   We made it and we LOVED it!  Thanks, Papa, for sharing this love of yours with all of us.  

Notice the creative transportation going on- two paddle boards floating the tube with a few kids in it.  I love the "we can do it" attitude around here. 

I think this is our only family picture from the trip. ;)

Hope kept calling this her "happy place".  I would have to agree.  Pretty dreamy.  I will do my best to recreate these images in my head and heart in times of stress and throughout the mundane details that life sometimes offers us.  Ahhhh....

Shenanigans. 

Boys swimming under the dock. 

Ruby learning to "surf".

And, what better way to end a day on the lake than to enjoy an evening of burgers and lawn games with the sunset.  The lighting was incredible...not as incredible as the company, but close.  Thanks to Nana and Papa for a fun night out. :)

Speaking of the company...look at this beautiful group!  So many special smiles.  You got it Selah, PEACE.