Spring Break Mini-Vaca

Hocking Hills

Mom, the boys, and I went to Hocking Hills for a mini-vacation over spring break. We left Monday morning and arrived in the city of Logan at lunch time. The first park we hiked was Old Man's Cave. The boys were excited to begin their hike. They wanted to run everywhere we went. We told the boys to slow down and enjoy looking at the amazing sites.
Old Man's Cave




The "Bathtub" in Old Man's Cave


Hocking Hills National Park


Logan and Evan found a centipede in Cedar Falls


Conkle's Hollow
Walking through Conkle's Hollow you could see huge bolders and large sheets of rock that have fallen from the cliffs onto the valley floor.









Rock House was amazing. We climbed down countless rock steps. Then climbed up into the "rock house".

We had a wonderful trip. I would totally do this again. They boys just loved all the hiking and being adventurous. They wished we would have taken them on some of the more difficult trails. The upper trail in Conkle's hollow go up 250 feet with no railings. I was not willing to risk bring my boys home in body bags. We told them they can come back and do the challenging trails when they are 21.

In two days we hiked Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Rock House, and Conkle's Hollow. we also went to the Rocky store where I bought a pair of boots. It would be vacation if I didn't buy a pair of shoes.

Birthday Boys!

Evan's baptism

Newport Aquarium 2012

Fish Tank

At first I was not really excited about getting a fish tank. Now that we have had it a couple of weeks, I have found that I enjoy watching the fish. We'll see how much I like it when we have to clean the tank for the first time.

The day after Christmas we took the boys to the pet store. I told Reuben we needed to "set" up the tank before buying fish. (Of course I don't know what I'm talking about.)
The lady at the pet store told us how to set it up and purify the water to prep it for the fish. Then a few days later we went back to pick out the fish. We decided to have a fresh water tropical tank. I was hoping to get many small, beautiful fish. Evan wanted all the semi aggressive fish. So we ended up with a neon tetra, rainbow sword tail, and a red tail shark.

The first night we lost the neon tetra. So Reuben took the boys back to the pet store. They picked out a ghost catfish and a female rainbow sword tail. They also got 9 ghost shrimp. All the fish seemed to be getting along. Then a few days later I found the male sword fish half eaten. We watched the fish closely that day. The red tail shark was definitely behaving aggressively. He kept going after the other sword tail. She seems to be able to out run him when he goes after her.

I have to say, it is very relaxing to sit and watch the fish. It has also given the boys some responsibility. After they get ready for school in the morning, they take turns feeding the fish before we leave.

2011 Laney Christmas

Dad gave mom a toy airplane with a card attached. Mom will finally get to take flying lessons. She has wanted to learn to fly a plane for years. Now that she is retired she will have the time to learn.


Evan's favorite gift was the camouflage outfit. He wears the sweat shirt everyday.

2011 Christmas at home