Luke Boy

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Trent-ers

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Brotherly Love

We hadn't intended to take pictures of the both of the boys together - this was just kind of impromptu during the transition between their little sessions. I am sure glad Mindy was able to capture it though. It sums up what it means to be brothers/bothers :)

Bloopers

Now what would a kid-picture-taking experience be without bloopers? I am always tempted to buy prints of the crazy shots - they make me smile and the expressions are usually the ones that I am used to seeing plastered on their um sweet (for the lack of a better word) little faces :)

Shoshone Falls

So we decided that the summer road trip just wasn't enough sight seeing. We hit the road again - but this time only to Twin Falls, ID (which is about 1 1/2 hour drive from the house). We were getting a little too antsy and wanted to see some sights that were a little closer to home. Why Twin Falls? Because that is where the Shoshone Falls are located. It is touted as the "Niagara Falls of the West". It certainly didn't disappoint. Although I have never been to the Niagara Falls, so I can't really compare. They were beautiful. As luck would have it, we picked the one day that decided to be a balmy 104 degrees. By the time we made it to the falls - the kids were tired. And hot. And thirsty.

Before seeing the falls - we went swimming at Dierkes Lake, which is part of the Shoshone Falls Park. I was prepared for lake swimming AZ style - so I was pleasantly surprised to see how nice the lake was and the park/beach as well. The kids swam and played in the sand for about three hours - which might have been the reason for them being tired at the falls. Could have planned that one a little better.

Dierkes Lake

It took Luke a little while to get warmed up to the whole swimming and sand thing...but once he caught on, he had a blast. I had a blast watching him discover sand and rocks and how to throw them.

This pic cracks me up...some of the looks he gives us...too funny :)

I really loved how they had a little barrier - and a swim/beach area for the little ones...it made things so much easier. Hannah loved getting sand everywhere and then going in the water to wash it off. Silly kid.

Aleana and Trent having too much fun

Finally got them to come in close enough to get a few pics...of course in-between efforts of them trying to dunk each other...:)

Luke spent at least an hour letting me find rocks for him to throw :)

This kid really loves dirt.

Loves his Daddy's hat.

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Shoshone Falls

Soooo hot...look at all our red faces...

After being in that lake water, that hat has got to stink...

Love the little rainbow

This pic looks so scary to me...like Luke is about to fall out...but he is nice and securely strapped in. Still can't help but cringe every time I look at it though.

We loved Shoshone Falls and have plans to go back next summer...

Can I get a Hallelujah?!?

IT ZIPS!!!

Haven't been able to fit in my wedding dress since I got preggers with Aleana...12 years ago. In fact, I haven't even attempted to try on my dress since my wedding reception in Las Cruces, NM...until now. Sorry, the picture quality isn't that great (camera phone), but I was too excited :) And the cord that goes to my real camera is currently lost :/

Summer Road Trip 2011

Well it's been 41 days since the kids started school, and I am finally getting to the point where I have the house organized once again and things are running smoothly. Okay, who am I kidding...I have been waiting for 41 days for a life of "normalcy" to return, and it hasn't. I have just traded one chaos for another. And my house isn't put together - but at least the laundry hasn't spilled over to too many rooms, and my dishes don't stink (for now). Hey, don't judge, I have had to lower my expectations...:)

I think we packed in just about as much as we could in a summer, starting with the move to Mountain Home and ending with the Air Show. The biggest trip we took this summer was our road trip. Three weeks after we moved, and two days after I got the last box of the house unpacked (didn't make it to the garage or get pictures hung, but the inside boxes were done - and that is an accomplishment in and of itself...I hate moving, sigh), we left on a 3 week-long road trip. And the first two weeks were just me and the kids. Yep, you read it right - me, driving, with FOUR KIDS, ages ranging from 11 years old to 17 months...by myself. Insane? Yes. Exhausting? Completely. Worth it? Absolutely - the kids were able to gain some fond memories, get to know their cousins better and learn that it's okay if your little sister's leg is barely touching your leg in the car. Would I do it again? Sure, just give me a year or two to recuperate.

I wish we had a picture of how tightly packed the car was. It only seats 5, so all the seats were filled with bodies. The row of seats in the back is small, and two of those seats were taken up by car seats. Then add the luggage, food, pillows, blankets, road trip toys, dvd player and baby stuff (including a portable crib, stroller, and portable high chair) - we are squished in there like sardines. Because of the close quarters - we experienced all types of smells, temper tantrums, screaming wars, kicking, bawling, sleeping, laughing, singing, yelling, whining and hair-pulling. I liked it when they chose to sleep the best :).

Here's where we went:

1. From Mountain Home to Saratoga Springs, UT - to stay the night at Tanya's (Trace's sister) house = 331 miles, 5 hours and 21 minutes drive time.

2. We stayed just one night, to rest up for the longest leg of the road trip, which was driving to Winslow, AZ = 540 miles, and it took us 10 hours to drive due to stupid construction and slow RV's on a two-lane highway. We did make a pit-stop to Glen Canyon Dam and Bridge - which was beautiful. And hot - that's one thing I don't miss about AZ. We stayed in Winslow and stayed at my parents' house for 10 days.

3. Moab, UT - to see my Grandpa Scharf was our next destination = 350 miles, 6 hours and 26 minutes drive time. On our way, we stopped at the Bluff Fort and walked around - the kids really appreciated getting out of the car - and my ears were grateful too. We made it outside of Moab in the evening and were able to stay two nights with Grandpa - out at his cabin at the base of the La Sal mountains.

4. We needed to head back toward Saratoga Springs, UT - where we would meet up with Trace so we could all go to Aspen Grove, for Trace's family reunion. We stayed at Aspen Grove for a week. 232 miles, 4 hours 15 min drive time.

5. Following a night stay again at Tanya's house in Saratoga Springs, we made our way back up to Mountain Home, ID = 331 miles, 5 hours and 21 min drive time.

Total: 1700 miles and over 35 hours spent in the car. Not bad - meaning we are all still alive to talk about it :)

My head is already spinning on what we want to do on our next road trip. The kids will be older, and I won't be as scared. On this road trip, I only stopped at a few places along the way because a.) I wanted to get where we needed to go and b.) I only have two arms and that's not enough to keep the two little ones corralled as well as keeping Trent from doing something crazy. Next time, we might even have Trace with us the whole time - it just kind of depends on what his work schedule looks like. But I really want to take the kids to Yellowstone, and Glacier National park, maybe visit Uncle Aaron, hit Colorado to see long lost friends and Aunt Christie. And then we have to go to AZ again, that is a must. Maybe see the Canyon. Trace and I have always wanted to hike Havasupai. There are so many options...I can't wait. Well, I can - but when we do go - it will be fun. Please just keep reminding me of that fun when I am driving - white-knuckling the steering wheel as I try to not go all psycho because I have had to tell my kids to stop for the hundred-gazillionth time... :)

There are quite a few posts below this one, detailing our adventures from the road trip and summer fun. Most of them are pictures - they say more than I ever could. Enjoy!

Glen Canyon Dam

So on a whim, and for reasons of sanity - I decided to stop at Glen Canyon Dam, just outside of Page. The drive is beautiful, and I think the kids thought I was getting delirious because I started cheering as I saw the beautiful blue Lake Powell. The way it pops up against the red and orange rocks is simply breath-taking. I pointed it out to them, and they were more concerned for my state of being. Guess they didn't realize how deep my love for AZ runs.

Before going in to the museum, I thought it would be a good idea to let the kids walk around and get some energy out...nothin' like 106 degree afternoon to sap it out of them. They talked me into walking onto a bridge that made my heart go into a panic and my feet tingle...but I made myself do it so they could enjoy what was in front of them. Now that's called love :)

proof that I let them go on the bridge

there's a picture that my parents have that is of me and my brothers at this very same spot. I never knew where it was taken until now...hmmm - I should get a copy of that pic to compare...

view of the Glen Canyon Bridge

View of the dam...from the bridge. Yikes.

There was a chain-link fence on the bridge (which I much appreciated), but it had little squares cut out for cameras. Guess unobstructed views are preferred when taking pictures of such a beauty. Amazing feat this dam is...look how far down it is.

Trent wasn't amused when I made him sit still for this picture. He didn't appreciate that I said "Look Trent! That's exactly what you sound like when you make those screeching noises". Now when he makes those noises, he know what I am referring to. :)

As ancient as they are, dinosaurs never get old...

it's a little dark, but this was the kids' favorite part of the museum...robotic dinosaurs are always cool.