Natural Bridge Caverns

So we are taking full advantage of Matt's current unemployed status and doing all the fun family things that we've wanted to do but have never had the time for. So naturally what I want to do wins! Let me preface this post by saying, I really really really love caves! Karst topography (sinkholes and caves) were always my favorite thing to study in geology. Growing up we made a number of visits to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, so I've loved caves from an early age. Carlsbad is great because it is huge, but it's not "alive" like Natural Bridge Caverns is. During our time in Utah we visited Timp cave, it was small and relatively dull compared to this one. I think the boys had a good time too(but who really cares, the trip was for me!). We even forked out the dough to get one of those touristy photos because we all look okay (which is a big deal for our family).

Here are a few of my favorite cavern pictures.

Jason and Ian on top of the dinosaur (what do dinosaurs have to do with caves?) NOTHING!

Here were some really cool stalagmites, they are unusually skinny for stalagmites of their size.

Some curtians and soda straws, you can see them dripping, we got quite a few drips during our tour.

Crystal clear cave water, it was so beautiful.

It's hard to imagine the scale of this room, but it was huge, you can see some of the most fantastic colloumns.

I really enjoyed this cave, I can't wait to go back and do some other tours.  It's amazing to me what limestone, water, and calcium carbonate can do. 

San Diego & 40 Years

Matt's Parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, so the whole 'Cannon Clan' gathered in San Diego to celebrate! We took so many pictures, here are a few of my favorite ones.

We rented a fabulous beach house, all the kids had too much fun time hanging out with their cousins and aunts and uncles.

The beach was beautiful, it was COLD but the kids didn't seem to care.  We played in the water, made the most fantastic sand castles, boogie boarded, relaxed and explored.  Ian and Bapa had a special game that Ian called the rock game, Bapa had endless patcience with him.  I loved the little caves and I also had a blast boogie boarding. The boys had so much fun at the beach that we already have a trip planned this weekend... but in TX, not CA (at least we'll have sun!)

SeaWorld was fun, however my memory of it is a little tainted since I LOST my kids in the play area!  They claim that they weren't lost but somehow that doesn't make me feel that much better.  When they were "reunited" (found) Matt was ready to buy them ponies and I was ready to lock them up for the rest of their lives.  

Next day... Legoland. We had a smaller group: Becky & James and their boys, and our Family.  It was a good day... I didn't lose my kids! Yeah!  The kids were crazy about Legoland.  I think we turned them into rollercoaster junkies, they had their first hit and now they NEED more.   There was so much we didn't get to do. One day at Legoland is just not enough.  The models were amazing, but you have to see it in person to appreciate it.  I did post a picture of my favorite: the Lego dragon... WOW. 

All the boys loved driving the lego cars, it may have been my favorite part of the day too!

Another full day... The San Diego Zoo.  One of my favoite things about the zoo was the vegetation, all the trails were so beautiful.  Lots of the animals were putting on a show for us too.  My favorite animals were the little kids in the red shirts.

Overall it was a fantastic trip. There are about 500 more pictures that I want to post... but I'll spare you.  It was so much fun visiting with family, getting to visit wonderful places and celebrating 40 years of marriage.  On a side note... I'm greatful for my bed, warm houston weather, and airplanes.  And if you made it to the end of this post, good for you.