New Mexico

This is a long post, but the only one I'm doing on this trip.

I had this really great idea about a super cool blog post where I showed you a map of where we went each day. It was a pretty cool road trip and we visited as many places as we could handle. But I couldn't figure it out.

Besides the map thing not working out so well, I realized I didn't take too many photos. Not sure how that happened. I'll blame it on being pregnant and grumpy.

Day 1: Salt Lake City, UT to Cortez, CO

It was kind of a stopping point, but also, Mesa Verde is close by and we thought we might have time for it. Turns out we didn't have the time or the energy to make it there. It's close enough that we'll do a trip out there another time. That whole area is gorgeous.

Day 2: Cortez, CO to Roswell, NM

This was a really long drive. So it was a good thing we didn't go to Mesa Verde in the morning. We did stop in Santa Fe on the way, but we didn't stay long and didn't see too much.

Day 3: Visit Carlsbad Caverns

This is the reason we stayed in Roswell. It's only about an hour from the caverns and we figured that as long as we were in New Mexico, we ought to go see them. After we got through the 2 hour trip of going through the main caves, Charlie told me, "that was the worst day of my life."

The kids thought this cactus was super cool.

That evening we ate at the McDonald's shaped like a space ship (in Roswell) and the boys were in heaven. If the kids thought we were horrible parents for taking them through the caves, they certainly changed their minds after McDonald's. They were thanking us right and left for taking them there. After that we went swimming at our hotel pool and they loved us even more.

Day 4: Roswell, NM to Albuquerque, NM

Dan thought it necessary to go to the International UFO Museum and Research Center while we were in Roswell. I am a wonderful wife, so I agreed to go. I'm sure you can guess how awesome it was. We bought the kids some little alien toys from the gift shop and they were asking when we could go back to Roswell.

Yes! It was real! No - it was from a movie set.

Dan is standing in front of a feature about an alien abduction. This painting was an artist's rendering of the abductee's description. (Abductees are above Dan's head to the left). Yes - Dan had a mustache for the first part of the trip (until the family photos). The longer it got, the more horrible.

Days 5 and 6: Albuquerque

We stayed for 2 days in Albuquerque for a family reunion. I maybe took 1 photo (okay a few more than 1). It was a great reunion with lots of cousins, food, swimming, and laughing.

That's right - we don't take photos of family members, but of weird signs.

Actually - here is the fam - all doing crossfit together. I think they did it every day we were there.

It's a good fit when the mask fits over your mouth.

Day 7: Albuquerque, NM to Moab, UT

We thought that on the way home we'd stay a night in Moab. We took the kids there last spring and they loved it. So we pulled into our hotel around 10 pm and they had sold our room to someone else! It turned out that every hotel in Moab was sold out and so we had to drive 4 more hours home. Not fun. And the kids were really bummed.

Guess what we're up to . . .

Some days it works out great. Others - not so much.

Hiking to a waterfall

Katie (my little sister) and her new husband Dan came to town for a wedding. While they were here they asked if we wanted to hike to a local waterfall. Of course we did! This photo was taken after the hike. (Missing from the photo are my sister Jamie, Luke, and me. Four of the other kids are Jamie's and 2 are her other neices. )

Luckily Dan carried Luke on his shoulders the whole way down. Luke whined about it pretty much the entire way.

Samo playing in the waterfall.

Charlie about to go under the waterfall.

Luke played in the water. It was a really hot day and it was SO nice to stick your feet in that cool water.

Jack is coming out from running under the waterfall. His favorite cousin Jordan waits for him. They thought this was the coolest thing ever.

It was a fun hike. I'd do it again, but not pregnant, and not without other adults.

Luke turned 3

This guy is quite a character. We're happy he's in our family.

quick catch up

So my craft show didn't go so well. I don't think it was actually a craft show, but more of a flea market. So the people who did come (and there weren't very many of them) didn't want to spend more than a few bucks on some junk. It was also really windy and everything kept blowing away. It was a mess by the end. Oh well. I sold skirts (size 12 mos to 5 years), button earrings, zippered wallets, and my regular jewelry. I'm going to try and list everything in the next few weeks in my shop.

Better news. We have a family of quail living in our yard. Usually we see them in the back yard in our garden. Are they eating our tomatoes? Maybe. I'd be happy to share with them. They are so cute. There are a few more little chicks and always a mom and a dad with them. The dad always keeps lookout and squacks to tell them to keep away from us.

And I picked this lovely from our garden a few days ago. I was all excited because I've never grown a watermelon before. Apparently I picked it too early because most of the inside was yellow with only a few pink spots. But the pink spots were really sweet. We've got another one on the vine and I think we'll leave it there for a while this time before picking. Anyone know how long you're supposed to wait before picking?


And the best news of all! The kids started school today. I know it sounds horrible that I'm happy about it, but I am not feeling so well with this baby (can you believe I'm 28 weeks?) and I was getting so grumpy with everyone here. It's nice to have a few less kids around. I was much more pleasant today when they came home from school.

Catching up

Wow - we have a lot to do this week!

First of all - thanks for all the name suggestions. If you think of more, feel free to leave them as another comment. We have kind of picked a first name, but we're not so sure about the middle name. I think we need to check into some family names. If you're in our family and know some good ones, please leave those on here.

We just got back from a trip to New Mexico. More on that when I get the pictures uploaded (no promises as to when that will actually be.) But for now we're still cleaning up after the trip. It always takes a few days to catch up.

It's our last week of no school so we'll have to do some fun things. Like camp out in the back yard. Maybe we'll also go swimming a few more times.

I'm getting ready for a craft show on Saturday. LOTS to do! I'm kind of nervous. I've never really done one before (one where I have to bring all my own set up stuff and stay all day!)

Name help

Many of you have asked what we will name the new baby. Many of you have told me you are excited to hear the name. But we are having a hard time coming up with a name!

As you know, I really like 1 syllable names, but will it be okay if Charlie's the only one with 1 syllable? (And just a reminder in case you don't know me well - my kids are Jack, Sam, Charlie, and Luke).

I'd love to hear your suggestions on names. First names, middle names, first and middle together, whatever. We need help in all areas! Thanks!

p.s. The above photos is Luke. I don't have any of the others' baby photos on my computer. I might have to do something about that.

Other July Stuff

I think I forgot to tell you that Andy (my little brother) and Ashley (his cute wife) and their baby girl Callie came to visit us over the 4th of July weekend. The older 3 boys were already at my mom's house. (And when they found out that they missed Andy's family - they were kind of mad at me).

Luke loved Callie. He keeps telling me how there's a baby in his belly and her name is Callie. He will be such a cute big brother.


I grew some hollyhocks from seed. I actually picked the seeds off some plants at my local quilt store. If anyone wants any seeds, let me know and I'll collect some and send them. These ones were about 9 feet tall! The ones I've seen around town are between 2 and 6 feet tall.

I am working on a quilt for baby #5. I started another quilt for him, which I don't love, and I'm not sure what to do with. But I'm liking this one a lot. These are the fabrics.

family photos in Spokane

So my sister Katie has been studying photography for a few years at college. And while we were in Spokane I asked her to take some photos of us. This is on my parents' property. Isn't it beautiful? But there were several problems:

1. When we took the photos, it was bedtime for the kids. And they were exhausted.

2. I didn't realize that my hair is the same color as the rye in the background. (It is rye, right Mom?)

3. It is apparently impossible for 4 kids and 2 adults to all smile at the same time AND at the camera AND look normal. Impossible!

4. I was also not super happy to be taking family photos while pregnant, but that didn't turn out as horribly as I thought.

5. I'm never sure what outfits to wear. I never want to look too matchy but I don't want someone standing out in orange, either. I didn't like how these outfits looked too matchy.

Therefore, here are the photos I've decided to show you. (And thanks anyway, Katie, for trying it.)


Not a horrible photo, and less than half the people looking at the camera.

At least we looked like we were all having fun in this one.

This one would maybe have been great if it didn't look like Sam was nearly grabbing my boobs and if I could have tucked my chin a bit. (Something photographers have been telling me since elementary school - why don't I remember?)

Charlie was pouting for the entire first pose of photos. He kept trying to direct us all on where to stand. So I let him direct us in this pose. He was adamant that he and Dan stand together because they matched. And that Luke stand by me because we matched. He was the happiest in these photos (because he set them up.)

I like this of me and Dan.

Yes - we are horrible parents. Jack started crying hysterically all of a sudden and we were laughing at him. (Because the reason he was claiming seemed funny, I guess). Still. Mean. (There was an entire series of photos of us all trying to calm Jack down - which didn't take long at all. And he was fine.)

The boys here making goofy faces. This series could have lasted all night. Dan was already done at this point and waiting for us in the car.

Spokane

Taking a walk down the driveway.

Sitting on the tractor. Don't you love Charlie's pose? He came up with it all on his own.

One day Mimi took Luke out to the garden and picked some lettuce. Then she taught him how to make salad. I need to put him to work at dinner time.

We always go feed the ducks at River Front Park. This time, Sam found lobsters (crawdads) walking around the bottom of the river. (The real reason I had to go to River Front Park was because I had to have the little mini donuts that they make right in front of you. I could eat SO many of them!)

Goofy goofballs.

Feeding the ducks.

Also at River Front Park - you have to ride the carousel. Here's Charlie with aunt Katie.

Here's Luke with Dad.

Jack on his horse.

Samo the yamo on his horse.

Also on the trip I met up with a quilting blog friend (one I've never met in real life). Why did I not take photos? I think I even had my camera. Kristine was so much fun to hang out with and we never ran out of things to talk about! (And we went fabric shopping - could I ask for anything more?)

I also had breakfast with a friend from college that I haven't seen for at least 14 years. That was a lot of fun too, why did I not take any photos? Let's just blame it on prego-brain.

The whole Spokane trip was lots of fun. Glad we went :)