Fall Break

Fall Break was a fun weekend with the family just enjoying being outdoors. We stayed home during the break and did a little stay-cation and had a great time. 

On Thursday, we traveled up to Idaho to go to Lava Hot Springs.  As part of our Get Out Passes, we got to go to the hot pools at Lava Hot Springs for free. It was finally a good time go when the weather was just right. We got to Lava Hot Springs and had a quick lunch at the park before headed to the pools. 

There were multiple pools at the Hot Springs and each pool was a different temperature.  The pools are naturally heated through geothermal energy and they all felt good. The pools ranged from 102-112 degrees.  We tried each pool and finally decided the 102 and 105 degree pools were the best.  The others were just too hot.  We all felt like we were being cooked if we sat in them too long. You could only sit in for like 5 minutes and then had to get out. Brooklyn was telling us the whole time "It is hot Mom." We stayed in the cooler pool the majority of the time.  The pools did feel kind of relaxing though like a nice warm bath.  We just laid around and soaked for a while.  

After we were done, we took a stroll down the main drag and found an ice cream and candy shop. The ice cream scoops were square not round! We laughed at the fun old candy they had for sale. Eventually we got back on the road and headed to the American West Heritage Center for another fall activity. 

It has been a long standing tradition to go to the corn maze and try not to get lost. 

This years maze was difficult. It took us a bit to get out. We all had fun running around in the dark and getting lost. The only thing that went wrong was, Brooklyn and Logan got put in the stockade for going the wrong way during the corn maze.  Ha Ha!

Saturday was the Fall Harvest Festival at the American West Heritage Center so we all returned for more fall fun.

Emily and Colby were working in the concession stand during the Festival so they got to miss out on all of the fun activities Logan, Charlotte and Brooklyn got to do.  First we were able to milk the cow.  Logan was a pro because of his practice during the summer.  Charlotte wasn't sure about it but did give milking a try and did great.  Brooklyn was totally willing to pet the cow but did not want to try and milk her.  Next we headed to the cider press and were able to crush some apples as well as see how apple cider is made and pressed.  While at the farm site, they also got to shell some corn in the corn shelling machine and help the Center make feed for the chickens for the winter.  No trip to the AWHC is complete without multiple train rides and pony rides.  Brooklyn and Charlotte got the chance to ride the ponies. That is their favorite thing to do. Sadly Logan is too old and big to ride the ponies so he just got to watch with me.

When we were finished on the farm side, we moved over to the pioneer side for even more activities. Near the mountain man cabin, we were able to throw some tomahawks.  Logan is getting better at his hatchet throwing skills.  Charlotte also had fun with this activity.  I was able to throw the tomahawks as well and for the first time ever, I was able to get one to stick!  I know there is a trick to getting the tomahawks to stick in the target but I don't know what it is so I go off of luck.  I have taught the tomahawk rotation a few times and I can demonstrate the form correctly but making one stick is something I need to work on.  I was excited to finally be able to land a target.

Our next stop was the pioneer cabins where we were able to make corn husk dolls.  Each of the kids made a doll and they turned out so cute.  The girls have been playing with them for the past few days.  

The rest of the Fall Break weekend was spent relaxing and hanging out at home.  It was nice to have a break.