Ward Campout Day Trip

I use to love camping... the fresh air, the quiet of nature, the beauty around me ... and then I had kids.  Actually, it really wasn't the kids, but more about Eli and his autism.  Camping is 'too' new and different and creates all sorts of anxiety for him.  For that reason I've left camping to Kent and the other kiddos but with having just returned from Mexico, he didn't have the time off work to take them to our annual ward campout.  We settled on a compromise of sorts.  I took the kiddos alone for a day trip, enough so they could play with friends and roast smores and then we went home to sleep in our bed.  The older two understand the sacrafices that Bubby goes through for these sorts of trips and happily consented .

'Hiking' with friends!  Pumpkin might be little but she was right there with them!

Bubby did find some comfort with the familiar books and items I brought along but every moment he could, he was sure to remind me that he wanted to 'goh' home!

Hide and seek with friends.

Lots of games played between exploration.

Pumpkin adopted another older sister while there!

Kiddos got sugared up good with all the treats everyone bought to share.

Helping some friends put up a tent.

Roasting of marshmallows and starbursts.

We were lucky since there was no rain, only the glorious cool of Flagstaff.  We ended up driving up there with some friends which made the 2hrs much more enjoyable for me.  Good fun for all and perhaps what we'll do again next year.

Summer Fun

Our family has 'school' through the year since we have the philosophy that living is learning and that happens all the time.  But since others have a summer break it makes for some extra fun with friends as well as random experiements.  The kids recycled our shredded bills and made paper one day with Kent.

Friends from Tucson came for a day and kept my little ones happily occupied. Its funny to think that the last time they came was when Bubby was being blessed and so much has changed.  They really do grow up fast.

Our annual pass to Wet'n Wild has been wonderful and we've seen Bubby get more comfortable and try out new things.  He seems to enjoy the rides and will often go if he has a sibling to take with him.

Our monthly visits to AZ on the Rocks has paid off.  Pumpkin finally decided to try climbing since the three of us were having so much fun.  She didn't go too far up but she was proud of her efforts.  Given time I think she'll be climbing as much as her sister.

The kids wanted me to do a birthday cake for the country so this was what I pulled together last minute.  Anytime there's singing and cake Bubby is a happy man.

Bug started chess lessons and the first few tournaments were a little rough.  She's starting to hold her own as she thinks more about strategy rather then how to just survive.  This was a particularly intense game that I had to quiet the boys so she could think and make her moves for herself.

We have found a library we love and are willing to make the drive for.  They had some amazing art classes over the summer that the older two enjoyed and a massive area for the littles to play and learn.

Free slurpee day!  Once a year I allow this sugar craziness.

I took out a book about Keith Haring and on an afternoon of mild boredom we watched a short documentary on his work and the restoration of it.  It had them doing their own artwork for a few hours after.

We never like it when friends aren't well but it had been a while since we'd seen these ones from Snowflake. We took a day to visit with them in the hospital and hope it cheered their hearts.

We've begun culinary classes of sorts.  Bud is now in charge of every Sunday meal and Bug does the dessert.  It's been great to see their confidence grow with working in the kitchen.  Bug is learning fractions quickly since I often give her only a half cup with which to measure everything and Bud is learning to work with meat, beans and tofu.  He now understands why I cook the way I do and there's less complaining.  I hope he'll be a good chef in a few years make a real difference to his future wife and family.

All in all, lots of fun and learning.  We are so blessed with the life we live.

Puerto Penasco 2018

Our annual vacation to Puerto Penasco was highly anticipated and only delayed due to our need to reapply for passports.  As soon as they arrived in the mail we took the next available unit even though it was during the most humid and hottest time of the year.  We had a blast all the same, finding balance between early morning activities, lots of food and marinating in the pools and napping in the afternoons.

The kids LOVE the breakfast buffet they have at the resort.  It frightens me how much these kids can eat sometimes!

Kent found a paleta place that wonderful.  We got paletas, ice cream and even went back for raspados.  I could live on the coconut and mango flavors with all it's cream and real fruit!  Obviously Bubby is extremely interested!

                                                                               Sea life

              We joined in on a aerobic exercise class at the resort, Pumpkin had a blast!

                                      More sea life. As much as we coveted his shell, we let him go.

While tide pooling Bug spotted this sea slug and tiny shrimp.

 Their fascination with the tiny snails on the sand led them to build a snail 'resort' fully decorated by seashells and build with 'swimming pools' and channels to 'visit friends' .

   With our podcast listening we learned that Mars would be closer during our trip there.  We went out a few nights and with the low light pollution was able to spot the reddish star. We watched a documentary about it sparking interest in space and Bug exclaimed,"Hey!  you just had us do schoolwork! I thought we were on vacation!"

A few shots of our resort on our last night.  Until next year!