Twin Falls Camping Trip

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Twin Falls Camping Trip

My super fun neighbor Shae planned a camping trip and invited us to tag along. In total we had 15 adults and 15 children. It was a fun group! We left just before noon and several of us drove up caravan style. We stopped in Tremonton for lunch and then arrived at our campsite in the early evening. The first day of camp was spent setting up, cooking and eating a fantastic dinner, Shae leading the kids in fun games like Red Rover and Mother-May-I and, of course, marshmellow roasting! Ammon was noted for his unique marshmellow likes - he burned them to a crisp and then ate the charcoal colored marshmellow on his s'more. No one thought he would really eat it - but he did.

Shae had planned a great itinerary including a trip to the Ice Cave. Unfortunately for most of our group, the men went to the store and were "convinced" by the cashier that the Ice Cave would be a terrible place to go. She insisted that it was much too hot and there was no ice at all and that it would be really boring for the young kids. So the men altered our plans and selected a place to go fishing. We ended up at a place called Magic Reservoir where, instead of catching fish, a few of the kids caught leeches. After that, the men were banned from planning anything. (And honestly, the kids still had a TON of fun for the short time that we stayed.)

We noticed that the Ice Cave was on our drive back to the campsite so we pulled over to check it out for ourselves. It was sub-freezing once you get into the cave (not hot as the cashier had said) and indeed did have much ice. In fact, for the first ten years after it was discovered, ice was excavated from it and sold (this was pre-refrigeration time). It was a fascinating cave to get to see. Andrew loved every second of it and Ammon called the experience, "Awesome!"

After getting back from the Ice Cave, we ate lunch and spent some time swimming in the camp ground pool. We had tin foil dinners that night and then the boys went out on another attempt at fishing. They didn't catch anything, but sure had fun trying. They were so excited about it that morning, that Andrew slipped away just before dinner and bought Ammon and Peter each their own fishing pole. So now they HAVE to plan a real fishing trip and go catch something this summer!

On the 4th of July, after cleaning up camp, we headed to Shoshone Falls. They were beautiful. (And we were there in low-water time - I'll bet it's even better when the water is higher.) We had fun looking around for a while and then went up to play in the lake. The boys had lots of fun. Andrew practiced his open water swim. Ammon made a valiant attempt at passing the swim test which would allow him to venture out deep in to the lake. As expected, he didn't pass, but the life guard watching him couldn't help but exclaim, "He just doesn't give up, does he?!" I was proud of him for trying so hard. He just needs more practice. On the way to the Falls we passed the Twin Falls temple. We would have stopped to get pictures but we had some people following us who didn't know where to go without our direction. I thought we'd stop on our way back home, but we actually left going a different direction, so we never did get to stop there. There was also a hike I wanted to do, but we were worn out and too tired for that one as well. We finally headed home knowing that this is a place we would like to come again.

We planned to watch fireworks close to home, but Ammon insisted that Uncle Jeremiah does the best firework show anywhere. We contacted my sister and ended up having a fun time watching the fireworks with my mom, grandparents, and sisters family.

This was the best 4th of July weekend we've ever had and we owe it all to our great friends and family. Thanks everyone!

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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.