Road Trip of Summer 2012

We started this 23 hour/ 3 day car trip with some drama of a broken collar bone.  We started this journey with 4 hours of sleep.  25 lbs. of carrots and apples, 48 string cheese, 48 packages of goldfish, and 56 packages of gummy/fruit snacks.  We had 18 new games, 36 different shows/movies available on 6 different devices and 24 books.

We were prepared.  We had routes planned and maps printed and reservations made.

It.  Was.  Awesome.

I would do it again tomorrow too.

The kids actually liked it, and did very well with it.  I think Z having his poor broken collar bone help keep him drugged calmed, so that also made things nice.

Oh- and never under estimate the power of a swimming pool.

As soon as we would let them, the kids were so excited to watch movie after movie after show after game.  They NEVER get that much screen time- but there is NOTHING to see from mid-Texas until about southern Utah.  So we were fine with it.  When we did see cool mountain or rock formations the kids were always excited to see SOMETHING when we would point them out- but other than that, it was about the snacks and shows!

Here is the wonderful driver.  He doesn't mind all the driving.  He will put on an audio-book and just drive.  I don't mind too much either.

I like being able to look at the different areas.  I like to see the landscape change.  I like to see the incredible imagination of our world's Creator.  It truly is amazing that He made this amazing difference. Left side sun, right side rain.  Truly awesome.

There were these awesome cacti all over.  They had little melons growing off of them.  No clue what they were but Hubs and kiddos thought it was pretty awesome when we counted and passed 50 of them within 2 miles.  And those were the ones on the side of the road!  Like I said, He is truly amazing!

When we were deciding on a route- we decided to take a 'less beaten path'.  It will be a new thing.  Never go the same way!!

Something we learned about Chunk- he is afraid of heights.  The fact that half of the route was like this- did not bode well with him.  He refused to look around- or get out for pictures.   It was always really cute to hear his nervous squeak in the back when he realized how high we really were, and then hear the relief sigh when we got to the bottom of the canyons.  

We saw so many beautiful places!

We headed over to 4-Corners.  Even if it's in-accurate- I still love going there.  The little stores there are AWESOME!

Another tradition is the Hole in the Rock.

Love that place.

There are so many random things there it can't help but make you smile!

They also have this AH-MAZING zoo.  I say amazing because I like zoo's.  And this one you can feed the animals.  That is great.  The kids LOVE that fact.

(The fattest hog I have ever seen.)

If I can ever figure out how to post the video- I will post me kissing the camel.  Yep- I kissed a camel.  It was rather scratchy.  I think I will stick with Mr. Hunky.  He smells better too.

As we were driving there was a storm behind us.  The kids happened to notice the bright rainbow, and fell in love.

Really it was great.  The kids did well- and it will only get better as they get older.  I think I am excited for the next time!

Roller Skating Flop

We thought we would be good parents and exhaust expose our sweet children to different adventures in life.

They didn't really appreciate the art of roller skating.

They did say they were willing to try it again in "like 57 years" when they have 'more muscles'.

We plan on taking them before the year ends.  Maybe it will be different when I don't have to sit out with a little broken collar bone and then I can help more.  (Who takes their two year old that has a broken collar bone roller skating?  Us- that is who.  And yes, we may be a bit crazy!)

Summer Catch-Up

It was a good summer.  Of course we had our good day and our bad, but I must say, I truly enjoyed each minute I was able to snuggle my kids at will and play what we wanted in our jammies if we wanted no less.

Jelly bean was hard to come by- she spent so much time reading at times she was like a stranger.

I honestly can't say that I blame her.  I also can't say that I wasn't trying to hinder her at all- trying to get her expand her horizons, sure we went on walks..... to the library, and we talked about things that were imaginary.... that she read about in her book.  But it's a healthy habit- I won't complain!

This boy grew up.

So did he.

And especially him.

It was hard watching my babies grow up.  All of them.  To see them change and discover each others 'coolness' and play together melted my mommy heart.  To hear Monkey ask for Chunk first thing in the morning was awesome.  Then to see Z chase them down, and then to be included brought tears to my on more than one occasion   My favorite were the fashion shows.....

I had to post this boys- I'm sorry.  Chunk I believe your alter-egos name was 'Snow Flake-a' and Monkey yours was 'Sparkala'.  Jellybean did give the names to you, but I have 5 minutes of video to show what willing participants you were!  It was so cute to see you all working so well together and to see you play in NOT YOU FAVORITE way, but so your sister could be so happy.  Truly an awesome sight.

We also went roller skating.  Crazy?  Probably.  I stayed out of the rink to keep an eye on those not skating, and as hard as it was, your dad was a great sport and he dragged everyone around that rink just to hear your giggles and help you stay upright!    

Watching things like this just made it that much more clear to me as to why I married the greatest guy ever!

Z still had his broken collar bone.  This is how he got around the rink.

His squeals of pure delight were so great!  Everyone at the rink was watching him and laughing at his squeal.

Monkey was not in the best of moods when we tried to get him to stop to take pictures of him.  And when we finally did get him to stop he went straight for the arcade.  The only picture we got of him were too far away and too dark to see anything...

An official vote by Chunk was taken, and they all decided it was too hard and that we should stick to bowling.  It was much more fun.  Therefore we have made plans to go back this fall!  The better they get the more they will like it that is for sure- they sure liked it when they were there!

The library every summer has different shows and activities going on.  One of the shows was a Bubble Lady.  

Z ended up being sick- and so our friend took her two kids and then the three older kids.

They all had a lot of fun!!  It only increased their ginormous love of bubbles! 

Z decided that he was going to be my special helper in the kitchen.  At. all. times.  That makes things an adventure most times.  He is getting a firm understanding that when I say 'hot' and 'owwie' I know what I am talking about and mean it when I say it.  I think he will have to be one of these kids that has to learn and discover on his own.  'Here-say' will not work with him I think.

One week we had a few things from amazon come in.  Whatever it was came in BIG boxes rocket ships.  The boys were so excited about this fact.  They played for a good 4 hours the first day with these, and then they were loved until they were no longer functioning boxes!

During one of the many fashion show that Z and I received- he was not easy to keep entertained during the costume changes.  So we took pictures.  This one just happened to be one of my favorites.  That gigantic smile is such a common sight on his face.  He is such a happy baby little boy.  When did it come to the point I couldn't call him my baby anymore?  Ugh.

One thing that brings JellyBean more joy than anything else is making a a dress to look like a princess.  Oh and she does it often and well.  This is a blanket that she used to make a dress using all her flower hair bows.  This was a common thing, princess garb out of anything and everything.  Her friend Sissy (her brother Bubba and momma Glenna) came over twice a week at times to let the kids play.  These girls are super cute with each other it's rather adorable.

Summer was good!  We bonded.  We played.  We ate.  We had an all around party and I loved it.

I'm already looking forward to next year when we can do more do less all at the same time!

The Enjoyment of Surviving Summer

So you know how summer begins and everything is 

WONDERFUL,

All that happens (besides the occasional chore list) is

playing,

running around,

laughing,

games,

experiments,

play dough, 

water hoses,

lakes,

pools,

EDIBLE play dough,

more games,

more  laughing,

more playing....

well you get the picture.  All this bliss is what summers are made for.  Then reality sets in.

One must do their chores everyday.

The toys are still the same as yesterday.

Siblings don't want to play the same game.

It then hits them,

They are bored.
There is nothing to do.
He is touching her,
he has 'my migueen',
he won't give her pony back.
Then summer isn't super cool anymore.
That makes me sad.
Sigh.

Then at the store and you see all the back to school stuff.
Part relief,
part sadness.
But the excitement of summer is re-kindled.
The lake splashes better,
the running is a bit faster,
the hose has new attachments and excitement,
the play dough is squishier,
the edible play dough tastes a bit sweeter,
the laughing is more often and deeper,
the experiments have a bit more depth and meaning,
the camera is pulled out a bit more often,
the moments a savored and relished more fervently.
Because it is realized 'life' has to start again.
Life will rush on again.
All the sweet moments will be put on hold while everyone
grows up just a bit.
But those quiet moments when the rush seems to pause
the glimmer of whats to come is
all it takes to make until next summer.

L-A-K-E

We love the lake.

We loves snacks at the lake.

We love summers at the lake.

MAGIC SPRINGS!!!!!

Magic Hot Springs was just that- Magic.  We had such a fun time it was ridiculous!

We started in the car for our 3 hour drive.  Only every 15 minutes someone asked if we were there or almost there yet.

Z was just happy.  He made happy noises almost the whole way.  Hopefully he will be that way on our 24 hour trek to UT!!!

Hubby and I refused to take 4 young kids to an amusement park by ourselves.  So we asked one of our babysitters and great friends, Marisa, to come along.  She was excited and all for it.  Which was awesome.  It was great to have someone be able to help rotate with the kids and help watch them and stuff.  Not only is she a great helper- she's just a great friend and a great example to my babies.  We love having her and having her around!!

About half way through we decided to stop at WallyWorld to get a few forgotten things.  We decided it might be good to get some apples to snack on since they love and adore apples.  It was like they were magic themselves.  It made the car quiet.  We went through many apples that day.

All with smiles too!

When we crossed the boarder they got all excited because we were 'so close'.  We really weren't all that close, but if it made them feel better we were ok with that.

So once we got there, they were in awe.  There was so much to do!!!  JellyBean, Chunk and I headed over to the bumper cars while Joseph, Marisa and the babies headed over to this thing.  It slowly has the kids go up and down.  The two on the far left are my babies.  Z and Monkey loved it.

See?

That is a squeal right there.  They just giggled and laughed and had a grand old time!

Then there was some waiting.

Then Risa and the big kids headed over to another ride.

We then had to take a moment to splash and cool off!  That was just a preview for what was to come!  Oh boy did it make them antsy and excited! 

After some lunch we headed over to the "train track"!!!!  The anticipation for this ride was slightly tangible!

Can you see Monkey's expression of pure joy and excitement and thrill and jubilation?  It was so awesome to watch him.

The only thing that might top the "train tracks" would be the "airw pwanes".  Oh golly-  the excitement level was off the charts.  They kept going up and down and up and down and squealing with delight the whole time.  The trip was worth it alone just for the squeals of delight and sheer joy.

The next moment of joy was the merry-go-round.  Oh golly- the fact that she was riding a unicorn was beyond comprehension.

Z was excited but slightly unsure.... until it started- then he giggled as we went up and down.

Monkey was as excited as ever.

Now, much to our confusion.  Chunk chose the centaur.  Why is beyond us.  But it made the ride great for him!

We then headed over to the water park portion.  There are no pictures of that since my camera is not water proof.  Needless to say there were many trip to the water slide and down and back down again.  Back up then down again.  Joseph took the bigger two down some of the slides and they loved that too!  As we were walking from the lockers to the exit we look down only to find poor Z conked out and so exhausted.

Poor baby!

Even by the end of the day- all the grown-ups were still smiling!!  See 3 smiling faces!!

Dinner and then 20 minutes in the car and this is what we see.

All four passed out!!  It was amazing!

What was so funny is how they were sleeping- domino's on top of each other!

How great is that!!

Anyway, it was an AMAZING time!!  It was so great to bring such sweet babies such a fun time.  Watching them having such a great time was priceless!

We sure love our babies and we were so glad to be able to take them and we were able spend the day with those we love!