The mine was barred off, but it didn't stop Nathan from entering and trudging through the water to check it all out. Unfortunately, and much to the disappointment of all the kids, his discoveries did NOT include any gold. 
Justin really wanted to stay and explore. It really was a very cool place.
We took the morning to get settled in, explore, and relax. Collecting wood and building a fire early in the morning is so fun.
For breakfast we ate Laura's famous tinfoil potato dinner. She actually made this last night for dinner, but had so much left over, we ate it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, breakfast the next day.......... and on and on.
We then hiked up to Phyllis Lake... a short hike (about 1/2 mile) but mostly uphill.
Fishing, but catching NO fish! You can see Geoff trying to retrieve his spinner, but to no avail. Justin likes to fish, and is good at it because he is so careful and patient.
Max was totally intrigued by the lake bugs. Geoff spent a lot of time searching the water for "More bugs! More!" Tilley is trying to finish the 4th Book of the Vampire Series by Stephanie Meyer. And there's Laura, wishing she could swim in the same outfit as her little Nate.
Here is our camping crew, the Neymans and the Olsens. We couldn't ask for better people to hang out with. The Olsen's are some of our favorite people, and we love spending time with them. How fun to have 3 whole days together!
The chosen camp site was next to a beautiful creek that made for the most amazing lullaby at night!
We came home and Geoff surprised us by pulling our TV out of the garage and setting it up so we could watch the 2008 Olympics. We were all very excited. Especially me...I LOVE the Olympics!
Before FHE began, he wrote the word testimony on a piece of paper and hid it some where in the family room. 
To begin his lesson, he explained that there are 5 things we need to do to gain a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ (based on Dallin H. Oaks talk from Conference). 1. Desire to get a testimony, 2. Ask God in prayer to help you get and strengthen one, 3. ACT, 4. Share/bear it, and 5. Take the sacrament each week.
You can't just stand there, you've got to jump up and stretch your arm and catch it. You've got to DO something. If you just sat there on the floor, you would have never found the testimony."
These few pictures only give a SMALL glimpse of what we saw. The museum is extensive and simply amazing. You could easily spend days there. It was fascinating.
My favorite was an art piece (I don't have a picture, but I loved it)... the head of an Indian chief made out of arrow heads. Justin's favorite was the humongous alligator and the wild boars. Geoff especially liked the big "scary" bears and the bobcats with their eyes bulging out (I think a taxidermy blunder).
This relative of Nathan's, Richard, collects everything, so it seems. Right now he is in Africa hunting some six or seven exotic animals to add to his collection. I was sad we missed him, as Laura tells me he is so fun and has some amazing stories. We'll have to go back.
This is what you see when you drive up. Richard and family/friends have carved faces into these large lava rocks-- there were tons of them lining the road. Very creative. I loved it.
We followed this path that lead to the entrance of this enormous cave. Mammoth Cave was created by lava, origianlly was a "lava tube." The lava carved out miles of the earth in a tube-like form, and now-- the lava gone, we are left with this amazing Cave to explore.
Apparently, the cave was used during the cold war. I can't image a better bomb shelter. It could easily house the Twin Falls population.
Of course since it is completely underground, we used lanterns to give us light for our little tour.
I was envious of the perfect cold room! You couldn't ask for a better place to store your food storage. I told Geoff that I want one of these under our house.
It was really very fun to see, and interesting to learn the history.
I wonder if Geoff can get a hold of a little hot lava--we could put a little underneath our lot in Hidden springs and let it carve out some caves until we're able to build. How cool would that be!
This was a reunion of families that for the most part hadn't ever met each other. We fit right into the plethora of people that didn't know each other. They're all great people...but what we loved was being able to spend time with Laura and Nathan and their children. What an amazing family. We LOVE spending time with them.
After returning to their home that evening, we decided to go on a little double date, and went to the theater to watch A Dark Night-- the new Batman Movie. It was exactly as the title portrayed...dark and a bit freaky! We had heard so many good recommendations for it, but I can't say I would recommend it to anyone.
The Twin Falls Temple is so beautiful. It never ceases to amaze me how strong the spirit is in and around the Temple. Max kept pointing to the pictures of Jesus saying, "Geesa". He was so cute. There is nothing that compares to the majesty, beauty and peacefulness of these places. Truly the temple is what it has inscribed at it's entrance, "Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord"
Well in primary class today they were asked to draw a picture of the Celestial Kingdom. This is what Justin drew. When I asked him about it he said, "This is what the Celestial Kingdom is going to be like...loaded with colorful and delicious candy that is made with good ingredients so you can eat anything you want whenever you like."
We were returning home from errands, and discovered this park--Settler's Park--only a few miles from our house. It is HUGE! There are athletic fields everywhere, an extensive playground for big and little kids, a water park, and musical instruments to play with. We can't believe we are just now discovering this!
Here we are, setting up camp and getting situated in the absolutely most perfect spot, right next to the river in a beautiful, private little clearing. Geoff and Justin built a fire and set up the tent, while I chased Max everywhere he shouldn't go...into the river, by the fire, into the stickery bushes, etc.
We made a dutch oven dinner with potatoes, carrots, onions and hamburger. It was yummy. Then we put some peach & raspberry cobbler on the coals to cook, while we went exploring and on a little hike.
On this hike, Geoff reminded me so much of a deer...
He amazes me. It doesn't matter how difficult the terrain, how steep the hill, or how heavy the load, Geoff moves gracefully like a deer. He never slips, trips or slides. He scales a fence, tree stumps, barriers with no apparent effort. At one point, the hill was so steep going down, I was concerned about getting the kids down safely. Geoff put Justin on his shoulders and Max in his arms, and bounded down the hill without a second thought...gracefully, just like a deer. He is so strong, capable, and confident. I never have to worry when he is around. Of course, I stumbled my way down wishing there were room somewhere on the deer for me to ride too. Amazing!
The trail was covered with the most beautiful wild flowers. Eventually, we ended up at a little hot springs which had been totally revamped since Geoff had been there a couple of months ago. According to Geoff, previously it had been a nice warm mud hole. Now it was this peaceful, beautiful and soothing hot spring tub. It was SO AWESOME!
The air was cool and crisp, but the hot spring was toasty warm. Geoff and I could have stayed there for a very long time!!!! Max loved it and Justin managed to get his legs in.
I started the morning fire with the help of a little fire fluid, and made breakfast--pancakes, eggs and orange juice. Geoff is such an organized and clean camper. He had everything we needed and knew exactly where everything was. It's easy to see that here, out in the middle of no where, Geoff is in his element. He makes it so fun for all of us.
On the way home we pulled over at a couple watch points along the way and watched some rafters maneuver through the rapids. This area is stunningly beautiful.
At one point, we cross the river over an older bridge. Geoff said, "Anyone want to jump off the bride?" Silence. None of us wanted to make the jump, but we ALL wanted to watch Geoff make the jump. After some negotiations with Justin, the deal was made, and here is the jump.
Justin's memorable quotes for the trip were: