Climbing on Monday

The boys had a great time Monday afternoon playing baseball in the front yard in the shade. Everybody got to take a turn hitting and Mark and Conrad took turns catching while Ken pitched to them. We also watched The Incredibles and Laura gave Ken and I haircuts. Heather and I spent a large part of the afternoon figuring out what to put on Karina's birthday cake. For FHE we went to the Bass Pro shop to look around at all their cool stuff. Ken stayed home with Spencer because he picked up this horrible cough and fever.

This is the huge fish tank with a 115 lb. catfish that was as big as Abbie (but weighs three times with she weighs). Karina chillin' in the cart.
The highlight of the evening was that everyone got a try to climb the 42 foot rock wall they have in the store. If you make it to the top you can ring a bell hanging up there.

Conrad was the first to go and zipped up quite quickly, but didn't quite make it to the top.
Here's Mark going for it. He had a lot of fun.
Jessie was a little nervous, but I think she had fun. We're going to have to work on those biceps so she can get up a little higher next time.
Little Abbie was too small to fit into the harness so she and Aunt Heather played checkers on the table on the second floor.
Rachel having a go at the wall.
Laura was the first one to make it to the top and ding the bell. She also paused to smile for a picture.
Then it was the mommy's turns. The kids were as excited to watch us go and they were to go. Heather made it to the top and leap for the bell and was left dangling for second before she slid back down the cord.

I ended up going last. Man, I'm glad I trimmed my nails a day or two before. I almost slipped once but found a different foot hold. Not wanting to dangle from the bell like Heather I climbed a little higher before reaching and that worked great. Then I just jumped back and slid down. When I got to the bottom I wasn't sure my legs felt like jello (but don't tell my kids that!).
This is our Abbie chipmunk.
They had an awesome salt water aquarium in the restaurant. The fish were so neat.
Since Abbie didn't get to climb, she got to help tie a fly for her to take home. She wanted it to look like a ladybug which didn't quite happen, but she was happy with it anyways.