minnetonka cave

while we were up at bear lake we decided to do something that i hadn't done in years. we went to minnetonka cave. my kids had never been before and i remember loving to go here when i was a kid. well, can i just tell you that i didn't remember the hike being so steep. i kinda got a little bit of anxiety while inside. it is a good thing i had my family there to help me with all my little ones.

here are all the kids with papa perry and uncle nate. this is when we were walking on the trail to get to the cave. we saw some cute little squirels. the kids would put some peanuts in their hands and the squirels would come right up and sit in your hand and eat. it was so much fun. i wish that i would have taken a picture!
steph was such a lifesaver. ky was a little nervous inside the cave and so steph ended up carrying her most of the way. although i did help a bit.

here is when we got to the very back of the cave. they called this the bridal room. when you get here, they turned off all the lights to show everyone just how black pitch black really is. it was kind of a weird feeling not to be able to see your own hand in front of your face.

this is the only stalagmite (sp?, i am not sure this is exactly what it was, but i think so) that you can touch. the oils on your skin turn them black. i thought that it was going to be wet and really rock feeling, but it as satiny smooth and dry. it was really neat.

Yeah, we finally made it out of the cave. it was 444 steps in and 444 steps out. the kids did so good, i was really proud of them. there were just a couple of places that i got a little nervous with my kids, but they were oblivious. so much fun. if any of you get a chance to go, do it!

We love bear lake
we go every year with my family to bear lake, and we always have a wonderful time. normally we don't go until later in the fall, but this year we were able to get the condo in june.
Who needs swimming in the lake when we can just fill up the tub. here are all the little crazies after a long day at the beach. you should have seen all the sand and sea shells that came out of four little swimming suits.
paxton is getting so good in the water. this has been his year for being really daring and full of courage. normally i still put a life jacket on him, but we had a great spot at the beach this year that were like little mini ponds of nice warm water. it was so perfect for the kids. they kept saying it was their "hot tub".

Dubby too loves loves loves the water. he was pretty excited this day because his cousin kade had brought up a pair of brand new swim trunks that didn't fit him and gave them to dubby. he was so excited. they were sponge bob, can't get much better than that!

ky freaks me out around water, she is so daring. you have to always have an eye on her because she will jump in to any amount of water. that is another reason why this spot was fab.

Aunt stephy bought all the boys these matching swim shirts. they loved them and were so excited they they all matched. thanks steph!

well bear lake was wonderful. we had great weather and great fun. i can't wait until we go back in september!