From the Past

Nathan found these videos today, so they must go on the blog.  They're from September, 2012.  Eden was one and a half and Z was just five.  It seems like a long time ago and like just a moment has passed.

Lee came for a visit that fall:

A family dinner:

Showing off their dance moves:

General craziness:

Bath time:

And the apple orchard, a fall favorite:

The Black Hills + Spring Weather = Happy Family

We stayed one night in Hot Springs, which has the loveliest stream running through it.  Because the steam's source is a hot spring, the water is comfortably warm rather than icy cold.

Z found a crab claw, which he was very proud of.  And, if you look closely, you can see a "Z" in the red rocks behind him, just above his head.

Z and I making crab claws after wading in the stream.

Eden was not quite so eager to go in the stream.

Z clearly could not get enough!

And Eden finally decided to try again when she was how much fun Z and I were having.  This time she liked it!

The next day we discovered Cascade Falls, also fed by a hot spring.  

You can see behind Z is a man made pool.  In the 1890s it became popular for Easterners to come take the hot baths in South Dakota.

Another pool at the bottom of a little waterfall.

Eden wanted to collect everything she saw.  Several times she told me, "Mama, I'm a collector!"

An old house, probably built in the late 19th century, but it looks like someone is still living there.

Z hiking near a cool red rock formation.

Enjoying the view.

Daddy and Eden.

Is there any greater pleasure of childhood than throwing rocks over a cliff?

Can anyone identify these tracks?

Squeeze in, family!

Echo

We were in the Black Hills this weekend and I caught this little exchange on video:

Hey Daddy!

This morning Eden said to Nathan, "Hey Daddy, you're kind of like my father but really you're a snakey."