Garden of the Gods ~ 2013

We were having a lazy day 3 of vacation. 

Spent some time at Rock Ledge Ranch with cousins. 

Then they needed to head home.

Daddy-O and I decided to take the kids to Garden of the Gods. 

Wow!  You would have thought we were going to torture the kids or something.

The thought they were going to miss some time with cousins

quickly turned us into vacation ruining parents!

 

Below: Kissing Camels

 

 

We bribed them with time in the gift shop!

And found photo opportunities on the balcony.



 

We made it through the gift shop, with minimal tears.

Mostly cause Daddy O threw some money out and let the kids buy a couple of things.
Plus, there was the purchase of fudge!

Then the promise, we would only drive through the Garden of the Gods, to make the torture go faster.

 

It didn't take long for them to begin to appreciate the beauty of the park.

 

By the time we arrived at Balance Rock, they were ready to get out and explore. 

 

Just the perfect amount of rock scrambling.

I think they quickly came to believe their parents weren't the wet blankets of vacation history.

Mueller State Park 2013

Day 2 of our vacation. 

We joined my sister and her daughters and grand-daughter and loaded up for Mueller State Park.

We didn't expect the elevation to have the effect it did on me. 

I ended up with a horrible "concussion" headaches. 

That is what I call them. 
Never have I had headaches like these till the accident.  They bring me to tears.

We stopped at a grocery store, bought some Ziploc baggies, so I could make ice packs.

I stayed with my grand-niece and her momma.

We had a great visit just the 3 of us, I settled in and relaxed. 

I listened to the trees and the wind.

I may even have dozed off a bit.

When we came home, Fun Girl had captured the best pictures and she shared them with me.

Makes my heart soar to see these cousins bond and enjoy their time together like they do.

 

First family vacation in 10 years!

The last time this family had a vacation on the road was 10 years ago. 

We have traveled, we have done things, but always as a part of something else.

Hockey tournaments, business trips, swim meets, etc.

Since that last trip we have added Dad's Bud and The Man. 

There are no children in diapers or potty training. 

No car seats!

Life has become immensely easier. 

We have also learned to pack efficiently. 

Those weekender trips have trained us well.  Travel light have more fun. 

 

So when my sister linked me in a face book message about a crib.

I didn't have to think long.

Sure, we can pick up a crib and fit it in the van. 

 

Only little thing..... I forgot to consider the mattress.

 

Cribs break down. 

That is what I was thinking.
There is no deflating of a mattress. 

 

Being the master packer that I am...I managed to get us all in the van,

all our stuff and the crib.

 

There was just a little bit of complaining.

 

To which, I could only reply, but we love our sweet new baby cousin

 and it is ONLY 8-9 hours. 

 

Fun Girl described us: "We were packed in tighter than a squirrel with a mouth full of nuts"

 

Except I think we were the nuts.

 

Sugar and spice

Every once in a while it is just me and one of my sweet kiddos! 

The urge hits to do something special just them and me.

After a day at the home school conference, my sweet Princess and I

had ice cream for dinner!  Oh yeah!

We ate at the park to prevent the inevitable chorus, "What about me?"

I love times like these with my kids. 

A Dog's Best Friend

Gus was being a nuisance this spring.  In addition, we had to put him in the front yard while we started the reseeding process of the backyard.  Boredom is an issue for this beast.  My term of endearment for him.  You would think with all these children around he wouldn't be bored.  Daily walks were initiated to help wear him out, to no avail.  Then I was at the commissary and they had femur bones for sale.  Oh yeah!  Score one for mom.  As long as he has one of these big bones, he is quiet.  He doesn't even care if the kids are out in the yard.  He just wants his bone. 

Soccer ~ Spring 2013

This Spring was the start of something new....Soccer.  The Man loves soccer.  He started talking about soccer last fall.  Too late to start on any leagues or teams.  Talked so much about it, his aunt shopped soccer gear for Christmas.  Long wait till spring, but he made it!