New Mexico Vacation

Just before school started we took a little vacation to Cloudcroft, New Mexico. It was a 4 1/2 hour drive from Lubbock.

We rented a cabin for a few nights. It was so nice to be in the mountains and have some cooler weather.

Jake loves fishing so he was excited to take the kids fishing, We went to a fishing pond (which we probably won't do again.)

I was impressed that Kaylee didn't mind picking up the worms and putting them on the hook.

Brooke caught a fish....

Kaylee caught a fish....

I told Jake I wanted Austin to fish so I could take a picture

Unfortunately he ended up catching a fish too.... we didn't want to pay for another one.

We had to pay for the fish per inch plus pay to get on the pond, and pay for the worms. It ended up costing way more than we expected. Jake was not happy. Next time we'll try to find a free spot.

Kaylee and Brooke really enjoyed fishing.... until they realized the fish were going to be killed and cut up for us to eat. They really just wanted to release them. (They've watched a lot of Wild Kratts.)

 



We grilled the fish and the girls ended up eating and enjoying the fish. We also made smores which were a big hit!

The next day we headed to White Sands National Monument. It was amazing! Miles and miles of white sand....

We went sledding down the sand dunes and it was so fun! It was like playing in the snow but with out the cold.

On the way back to the cabin we stopped at the Old Apple Barn for some cider.

The kids really enjoyed it.... it was like apple pie in a cup.

We went on a short hike that night. We could hear thunder in the distance while we were hiking and the sky got really dark so the kids were very motivated to finish the hike quick. (Kaylee didn't want to get out of the car in the first place.)

It stared raining on our drive back to our cabin. It rained hard and there was quite the thunderstorm. The thunder was so loud it even made me jump a few times. I made Jake light a fire in the fireplace because I was afraid the power would go out.

The next morning we decided to go for another hike. We knew the trails would be muddy after all the rain but we really wanted to hike. We don't often get to enjoy mountains and trees...

The trails were really wet in places and pretty muddy but it was still really fun!

 

Austin even got a nap on our 2 mile hike.

Brooke was a trooper and hiked really well. Kaylee did great too except she had to go to the bathroom the last mile or so and did not want to go in the trees. The last half mile was no fun for her, but she survived.

 

We had to pack up and head for home after our hike. It was beautiful there and I wish we could have stayed longer. We had a great time as a family. The kids enjoyed nature. The girls built a caterpillar village outside our cabin and Austin was outside any chance he got. I love my little family!

Updated

I'm a little behind on blogging... but we just moved and I've been busy. Here is a little catch up.

 

Our last picture in front of our rental house before moving. We really loved it there. I actually was really sad as I was walking through our empty house for the last time. I may have even cried a bit as we drove away from the house and through Benbrook for the last time. It was a great place to live with a great ward. We'll miss it!

 

On to Lubbock.... Jake drove the big Penske truck pulling the car on a trailer behind him. I drove the kids in the van and got to our house way before him. I took the kids out to dinner while Jake and 4-5 guys from our new ward moved our stuff in. It was hard to find a place to sleep that night with boxes everywhere. 

Our second night here Kaylee lost her first tooth! She was brushing and flossing her teeth and didn't see where it fell. We looked and looked... and then finally told her just to write a note and promised the Tooth Fairy would still bring her money. In the morning she was happy to find some money (what is the going rate of the tooth fairy these days anyway?) and a note from the tooth fairy as well.

She lost a second tooth a few days later and promptly put it under her pillow.

While I have been busy unpacking boxes Kaylee and Brooke have been really good to play together. They've been stuck in the house more than they are used to (which has caused some tension and fighting) but they have been good at coming up with "fun games." Too bad those fun games usually involved getting out every toy they have. :) 

Here are a few pictures.... I have not decorated yet (I still need to figure that out.) and there are still some boxes to unpack but it's starting to feel like home. I love our new carpet by the way!

Austin's room... and here he is after his bath sneaking his binki out of his bed. The rule is binki stays in bed but he often finds ways to get it out or his helpful sisters get it for him. I think the binki fairy needs to come soon.

The girl's room... undecorated (we still have a quilt pinned up for curtains)and a smaller than their last room but it still works.

 

So far we have liked it here. We have good next door neighbors (haven't met the rest yet) and a good ward. We've hung out with a couple families that have 4 and 6 year old girls as well and Kaylee and Brooke were able to go to a dance class someone in the ward teaches.

 

 I think the majority of our ward is student and their families so there are tons of kids, but mostly younger. We have 3 nurseries and Kaylee is in senior primary now.

 

      Church has been a struggle though since it is at 11:00 which is Austin's nap time.

In nursery he cries and says "share, share" if any other kid touches the toy he wants. (Share is his favorite new word. It means give me whatever I want. He pushed Brooke off my lap in Sacrament meeting saying "share".) I spent most of the last 2 Sundays in nursery or wondering the halls with Austin.

 

So there's our update. We are doing well. The kids are making friends. I registered Kaylee for school today and we have 2 more weeks to enjoy summer (we are going on a little vacation in New Mexico next week!!) before school starts.