Camping in Santa Fe

This past weekend, Josh took the kids camping and hiking up in Santa Fe...all four of them. Of course I still had the baby, but he almost doesn't count...he's just part of me. They left early Friday morning and didn't get back until dinner time on Saturday. It was so quiet and I loved every minute of it. Of course I missed them...but it was sure nice to clean the house and then not need to clean it for a WHOLE day. Simple pleasures, I say. They all had a blast and are planning another trip in the near future. Abigail picked me some flowers. However, Josh wouldn't let her brintg them home to me so she settled for taking a picture with them instead. :)

Getting ready to go hiking. They all got new hiking packs which they were so proud of.

And they're off.

At the tent. Apparently it's a little chilly in Santa Fe in August. I wish we had that problem here.

Jacob had flowers for me too. What sweet kids I have!

All I wanna do is...Dance, Dance!

I'm finally putting up some recital pictures from last May. I work like the tortoise...slow and steady.
Emma was the 'Mother Duck' for one of the younger classes. It was quite cute!

Emma's tap number.

Abigail, doing what she does best...posing!

Emma's ballet class

This is Emma the night she got back from competition. I just LOVE her eyelashes!

Farewell to friends

Because it was requested (not because they are flattering), I am posting some pictures of my wonderful friend and her family. They stayed with us a few night before they left the rolling plains of Clovis, NM for the fast-paced life of the city. We cleaned her house, went out for a birthday dinner, and let the kids spent some quality time together. The girls camped out in our "Huntsman hotel." It was a blast!
Unfortunately this is the only picture I have of the two of us. It was early in the morning, neither of us have make-up on (obviously), and we were a bit emotional.

Abby had so much fun living down the street from her friend. They would walk back and forth to play with each other all the time! Abby still talks about her and is trying to plan a visit out to Washington DC now.

Jacob and his pal. This picture makes me laugh because I always think of her with her fingers in her mouth. :)

Best buds!

Abby waving good-bye as Tina is drivin away with three girls in the car, pulling a trailer....by herself. Only Tina! Gotta love her!

Six Mile Cypress

While at my Dad's, the whole group went on a nature walk at Six Mile Cypress. What we thought would be a quick walk through some greenery turned into an hour and a half lecture in the jungle. The kids had a blast...my dad and I weren't quite as excited about it. Emma really like talking with our guide. She asked lots of questions which is one reason it took so long. Now that it's checked off my list, we don't have to go back next year. :) My dad with the kids. They were sitting on the dock by the alligator pond. Unfortunately we didn't see any alligators.

The binoculars were a hit!

This is what we did for an hour an a half. And before you go thinking my dad is a softy...he only held the baby so I could snap a few pictures. Once I was done, the baby was promptly handed over to me.