Rafting (Snake) 2013

This August we went on one of the annual family rafting trips. We were lucky enough to get a permit to go on the Snake river...
As I believe the pictures tell the best story here goes...

To start Mitch rode in Max's boat. This is right as we took out.
Right after this picture I fell out of the boat

The snake has stretches of calm water right before  and after the big stuff

Hopefully the videos I have included are able to be viewed and enjoyed. It is just a little taste of the snake, and the videos scarcely do it justice.

Our first camp, we stay one night and then take out early the next morning for our next camp

Jay's boat with a ton of people in there

A little bit of bunching our rafts for a minute

Justin letting Mitch oar for awhile

Mitch jumping off of sturgeon rock

Spencer diving in

Spencer diving off sturgeon rock

Max floating...

Bray floating

Annette has really big feet, and I have really small feet

My sweeties

Annette turned 79 on the trip. We did a muffin with candles

...and surprised her with some gifts

...and we all sang happy birthday. It was quite exciting for her

Jay and Mike started "helping" the kids out where they throw them in the water

Ryal teaching mum-z a little thing about photography

Bud Lewis 93 and so amazingly happy. He enjoyed the water for some time, just like that

Mike and Jay helping Mitch out

Brothers Justin and Jeff lounging in the tubes

grandma multi tasking with dice and needle point

our lovely camp...ah I miss it

Our slack line

The Bee Killers. The bees were really bad. Most of the camp got stung, including me!

Jeff demonstrating some skill on the slack line. (And by some skill...I mean he didn't fall off right away like the rest of us)

Last year (2012) we had an Olympics on the Snake family trip. This year it was a tradition we decided to keep. Only this year the events were WAY more intense (thank you Max) and the set up much more elaborate. (like it took us almost all day to be ready for this thing...) Max appointed Brent the torch maker, after appointing me in charge of the opening and closing ceremonies...so maybe I appointed Brent?!@ I can't remember now. Anyways...
I appointed the boys in charge of the entertainment piece of the opening ceremony. They were adorable and took their job very seriously.
Max and Rebecca set up the events with random helpers. We had things like a swimming relay, lawn dart tossing, pine cone targets, etc...

Our "torch" for the 2013 Snake River Olympics

Me and my inspiration that life should be lived to the fullest!

My beautiful fun little guys

The finished torch! (and spencer coming up for air in the background)

Who doesn't like a good back flippy off of the rafts?

the tents kept trying to fly away

Bray taking in his daily protein

Practicing for the Olympic events

The boys decided to do a parody of Queens "We Are the Champions". It is hard to hear, as I was standing further back...but very cute!

The swimming relay was a highlight. It was hilarious watching everyone swim and scream, freeze and pant

Putting candles in the muffin

Grandma surprised

Our hammock! We slept in it only one night this trip. Last summer I used it on this river by myself...because Brent couldn't go on the August trip

Our Olympic planning comity

Jay is pretty much like Tarzan. Look he made friends with nature! It's like he's one with it or something

Our last day on the river, Bray hung outside the boat the largest percentage of the float

Bray floating in the river...now this was one of the moments of growth as an over protective panicky mother....I had to breath and let him enjoy himself. Although every instinct in my body wanted to rip him back into the raft!

Sweet Joy! Pumpkin Pea, whose mama and daddy brought us all root beer floats at the take out!

No matter the hair pulling, tear jerking stress these trips sometime bring on in their planning, they are always worth it. We love being out on the river and having the boys experience these amazing places. It is very amusing to watch them swim and scrounge through dirt for a week. Catching fish and bugs and sometimes gaining scrapes and bites! This time with family where there is LITERALLY nothing else (and no way out) gives us  all time to reflect and resonate on what is important in life.