Butterfly pavilion and Smith River

We had decided to spend the day on the river (the same river we camped at on this excursion), so off we went. Now, here where we live, there is a river literally 3 minutes away from our front porch where we could have played and had just as much fun, but where's the adventure in that? And had we gone to the one close to home, we would have missed all the scenery. ALL THE SCENERY we saw on Michael's shortcut.

On the way to the far, far away river, we stopped at a local butterfly pavilion. Too bad we were still early in the season; all the butterflies were still in their cocoons. So we walked the gardens (which were gorgeous) took some photos, and then ate ice cream cones. Yummmmmm.

Poppies.

Lupine.

A froggy in the pond.

For only seeing her uncles every 6 months or so, Layna sure stuck to them like glue. It was super sweet.

Tim TalkALot pretending to be a tree. A tree with a crippling malforming disease that makes you look like you're a DJ in a night club.
He thinks "It's all good". But his ears were probably cold.
Ma and Mandy my big lil' sis.

Taken moments before she upended her ice cream onto the floor.

This is what city folk do when they come to the country. They gather around their electronic devices and worship the cell tower gods. With their earphones nearby in case the gods need to talk to them through their music.

We got a little antsy while looking for the perfect spot to play on the river, so I let Timbo stick Laynee out the sunroof. It's OK! I was the one driving, so there was no danger whatsoever. Except for swallowing gusts of air and a couple of bugs, maybe.

After searching, and searching, we (Michael) found the perfect spot.

A quick jot to the water to check it out...
back to the truck for lunch...

then down to the river once more. The boys found salamanders and crawdads and slipped on the rocks and threw rocks for Daisy to fetch underwater and we all enjoyed the rays.

Word to my mutha. Who is taking the pitcha.
My sisters. Mandy and Carrie. Mwah.
"Watch and you'll seeeeeee. Someday I'll beeee... part of your world-a!" Thanks Kariel. You made my day. And Layna's.

The Bug was content to stay in the arms of either her uncle Chrissy poo...
or her daddy poo poo at all times. Sweet baby.
Roo.

"I would like some salsa please, I would like some salsa please."

Kev liked my salsa and he made up a song and dance to accompany his request for some. Picture him in your mind singing it with a Spanish accent and the both of us dancing some kind of Latin wannabe jig while facing each other, meanwhile behind Kev is my pa dancing to the beat of his own drum. As everyone else either looks on with embarrassed-for-us giggles or looks away because they can't stand the horror of it all.
I. Am. In. L-O-V-E!

We played hard and were going to play even harder that night, so rest was essential. But that's for another post...

And because they are all so funny, I have attached 4, that's right 4, videos for your entertainment. I can never get enough of Tim trying to stay upright in the water while walking on slippery rocks. But you'll have to pardon the shaking camera, it's really hard to hold still when you're laughing your heiny off!

***UPDATE***

I have decided not to post 4 videos for your entertainment. The reason being that I have been waiting for 5 HOURS for one single video to upload. Maybe if you're lucky, I'll decide to post them another day, because seriously. They are that good.