TeNgaio Blog Pages

Subterranean TeNgaios

>> Wednesday, July 29, 2009

This past Sunday we went for a quick adventure just a few miles from our house to 17 Mile Cave.

My boss at and I were BS'ing at work one day and he suggested it. I was interested in it to see if the lip of the cave, or the entrance, was climbing worthy (it was not). I figured the kids and Britt would dig it either way.

This cave isn't the real popular one that's just off Hwy. 20 (Arco Hwy). It's located about 4 miles north of it actually, via 2-track rutted out dirt roads. Its really a big lava tube that's been hollowed out by water over time and is big enough to drive a truck through, if you could get it through the entrance. My boss told me he took his scout group there a few years ago in January and camped overnight in the cave. The bottom is all dirt and very flat. The temperature in there is a contast 45-50 degrees year round. Cool enough to see your breath.

Madeline took a while to warm up to the cave and was content with just hanging out inside by the entrance with mom. Ethan and I walked to the back, about 200-250 ft. to where it ended. A funny thing was said by ET while he and I were walking back. There is graffiti in the cave and of course some of it is pretty lewd. Some artisitc genius spray painted a giant horizontal phallis and Ethan saw it. He pointed his light at it and said "Look dad, it's a big arrow pointing the way". "Yup", I told him, it is.

I figure by the time we come back again, he'll figure it out.

Just some random pics

Ethan's coaches and his first-ever trophy. One proud lad.

Madeline at the zoo on a hot summer day.

Ethan and Legend chillin'.

T-Ball

>> Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Images from Ethan's last game last of his t-ball league last night. He and his cousin Jaxon were on the same team and they had a blast. Good times with good folks. You gotta love summer in Idaho!

Heise Camping Part 2

After breakfast on Sunday we hiked from the Y-Junction at Kelly's Mtn. to the top of the ski hill. The kids did good, Madi pretty much did it on her own, save the steepest and loosest part.

Dance, Baby Dance

Madeline and her cousin Sophi are enrolled in a dance class together. Pretty darn cute, eh?

Heise Camping Part 1

This past weekend was spent lollygagging at Heise. Swimming and hiking were on the agenda. Saturday was spent doing just that. The weather was a bit cool for the waterslide/pool so we jumped out and headed to the stinky warm pools. All went well until Brittany and Madi were evacuated due to a foreign object (pooh) that sneeked out of some kids trousers. Yeah, gross.

After a tasty pizza at the pizza shop we hiked up the Cress Creek Trail. We ran into a rattlesnake on our way up and again on the way down (same one). It followed the trail on the way down making us have to walk slowly and wait while it took it's sweet time. The kids were freakin', it was pretty funny. I think it's good exposure for them – I'm not sure Britt agrees though.

Ain't nothing going on…

>> Tuesday, June 9, 2009

…but the rent.

Just like James Brown said. Not much happening at the westside TeNgaio homestead. Although, Ethan DID finish kindergarten in fine form. His teacher was very pleased with his progress saying he was in the top of his class. Word up brother! His progress reports have shown how much he's grown since last Sept. He always asks what so-and-so means or if this is how you spell so-and-so. Pretty darn cool.

Madeline is rocking the house with her awesomeness as well. She is out of diapers (THANK YOU GOD) for good and is 99% potty trained. Her little toilet in the bathroom has taken up residency in the storage closet and the diaper bag is no more. It's amazing how fast she learns things by having a big brother to follow. She wants to do EVERYTHING herself and has found she really, really enjoys asking "Why?" after everything Britt and I say. Serious. Everything.

On another note, this past Saturday Ethan, myself, Britt and her family went and floated the Snake River through the northern section of Teton Park. The weather was chilly, wet and windy at times but the sun shone periodically and we saw quite a bit of wildlife. It sure beat sitting at home and we have to thank Tamera for inviting us. One thing that was interesting to me was the work that beavers go through to fell trees to build their dens – busy little critters they are.

Jake's B'Day BBQ and the Return of the One Called Austin

>> Monday, May 18, 2009

This past Sunday we spent at my sister Tanya's abode, celebrating an early birthday for our seldom seen brother Jake who lives in Pocatello. And the return of our cousin (Tanya's son) Austin, who just came back from a 6 month stint in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands doing, well, playing and "working" –pretty just experiencing life elsewhere. He's the tall one with the tan.

Ethan and Madeline love playing with Kai, Kenzi and Autumn so they milked it for all it was worth. If you could harness that energy I swear your utility bill would be golden for a month.

Austin had his scooter back in running condition and took all the little cousins for a individual rides – even little Madi! No problems though.

Sometimes I get down about living here in little 'ol conservative Idaho Falls, but it's get-togethers like this and ones with Jeff and Tamera, that remind me why Britt and I stay here. Family has always been important to us and I know that Madi and Ethan love being able to see their cousins, aunties, uncles and grandparents on a frequent basis. Plus, there's rad climbing here.

Ethan's Birthday Bash at Bowl-ero

Tired of the same 'ol hyper-kid-infested-birthday-party-establishments that have been known to turn even the most kindest parents into nerve-wrecking lunatics, we decided to have Ethan's birthday party at a local bowling alley. And it was a blast.

Kids from 2 to 8 seem to love bowling. I was a bit worried that one of them would bash their little toes with a ball but no worries, they seemed to handle it all pretty well.

Ethan had a blast with his buddies and cousins. I don't think they even finished a whole game but it didn't matter once the cake and ice cream came out.

A few more pics from the party.