Where Did June Go?

The LOOOONG Trip

Our family just went on one of the longest car trips ever. Darin had training in DC for two weeks and we wanted to tag along. We drove from Texas to New Orleans, to Washington DC and then back to Texas. We had such a good time and can't believe how far we went.

One of our first stops was Kreuz Barbeque in Lockhart Texas. BEST BARBEQUE EVER! We love our barbeque in Texas. The only hang-up here was when Cameron got stuck in a high chair. It was quite embarrassing and awkward, but we got him out (after about 5 minutes).

Most of the nights going and coming from DC we camped. The twins loved being able to hang out outside and sleep in a tent. There were some late nights and early mornings with all the daylight we get this time of year, but the kids napped some in the van--which we didn't mind. 

Luke was able to enjoy an outside bath in Louisiana. 

The twins enjoyed their first experience in a swimming pool. We bought these floatie swimming suits so that they would be more safe in the water, but instead of helping them, it would tip them upside down in the water when they couldn't touch bottom. Not the best investment. 

Just chillin after pool time.

We saw one of the most beautiful plantations outside of New Orleans--Oak Alley. I loved the fourteen perfectly spaced  oak trees leading up to the plantation. I would have gotten a picture of the plantation without the old couple standing out in front but I waited for more than five minutes and they were sure taking their time :(.

 The kids enjoyed the hotel we stayed at in New Orleans. 

 It was a perfect day to walk around New Orleans. I really loved it. 

  I LOVED the old riverboat  that they had docked there. Oh someday I want to go on one..

 Of course we had to visit Cafe Du Monde. We had to get our beignets every day that we were in New Orleans. The kids really loved them and I got a couple of mixes so that I can make beignets at home.

 On one of our stops in Alabama the kids got into an anthill...Learning experience.

 When we were driving in Tennessee we saw signs for this dairy and stopped for ice cream. This visit made me realize that kids and gift shops do not mix.

 It is really comforting to read a sign like this next to your campsite (in Pigeon Forge, TN)

 We went to Pigeon Forge at a special time--Dolly's welcome parade! Just as THE Dolly Parton came riding down the street on her special Grand Marshall float, my camera died. I'm not gonna lie, it kind of put a damper on things when I couldn't snap a picture of my celebrity encounter.

 We did a lot of chillin' at the park in between long driving sessions.

 Hanging out before church.

 The kids loved to see the different exhibits at the Smithsonian museum. They really loved the train part. They thought they were on a real train.

 Of course I had to get a picture next to my new favorite things--a riverboat.

 The kids found this area of the museum with some nostalgic toys. They loved the Mr. Potato Head.

 On one of the hot DC afternoons, we decided to visit the LDS temple there. I think that it is one of the most gorgeous temples.

 Here are some really sweet photos of the boys. On our trip the twins turned three and Luke turned 10 months old. They are growing so much!

 Here we are enjoying our time at the Zoo.

 My friend Liz just happened to be in DC at the same time and was so sweet to make them some special cupcakes for their birthday. They had a great day.

 Camping in the Shenandoah Valley that night.

 Driving home, we found this awesome park and were able to enjoy a train ride around a lake.

 At the end of our journey we stopped and picked both fresh strawberries and fresh blueberries. I want to grow those things now! They boys were so happy. It is kind of funny because I felt like the mom in Blueberries for Sal. They would eat almost everything they picked. We ended up getting about a gallon of blueberries, but all from my bucket because nearly everything they picked, they ate.

We really enjoyed spending time together. The last night of our vacation was interesting. We decided to camp the last night and found a really nice state park. Well, as soon as we got there we noticed a problem--there were hundreds and hundreds of GRASSHOPPERS. I was sickened especially when one was crawling up my leg. We herded them away from the area where we were going to pitch our tent Most of them stayed away so we started to set our tent up then we noticed that there were some really dark storm clouds coming. We looked it up on the computer and found that there was a TORNADO WATCH  for that very area we were! Yikes. Needless to say, we threw everything into the tent, buckled up the kids and sped away. What an eventful way to end a fun trip.

9 Months and Horsies

 Baby boy is now NINE months old. It seems like he is doing new things all the time now. Every day he crawls a little bit faster, starts breaking in new teeth, and does all sorts of cute new tricks. He has one tooth that is about half way in and two others that are just sprouting through his gums. 

We recently starting bathing him in the big tub. He loves it. He probably needed to be put in there sooner because he was starting to lunge around the little tub, but he really is doing well. The twins usually end up in there with him and the three of them have a ball playing with all of the bath toys together. 

 

It seriously seems like one day he was getting into the dishwasher like this...

 

then the next day he was getting into the dishwasher like this. This boy is growing so fast!

The other day we were able to go to a local ranch/museum and the kids had a blast. We were able to do so many fun things.

Here are the boys making the fence squeak outside of the "cattle branding" station.

They had to wash some hankies the old fashioned way. Dallin really loved this and washed about four hankies then hung each of them on the line. It was way cute to watch him. 

They had to do barrel racing with a stick horse. Cameron's horse was especially feisty. It ran him all over including up a steep hill with tons of cacti yikes! . It was so entertaining to watch him run all over with his little horsie. 

Last but not least, the boys were able to ride a pair of real horses. I was so proud of them. Cameron wasn't even scared at all. I was a little worried that he would be apprehensive because of the whole dog fear, but he was great! I can't believe my babies are all grown up and riding horses!

We were also able to pet some miniature ponies and donkeys. Cameron and Dallin really loved those tiny animals. Cameron tried to drink out of their trough and everything. He wasn't even scared when the little burro tried to nibble his hair. Dallin loved them too. He found one of the leading ropes and wanted to lead a horse around. I would have liked to have seen that. Unfortunately we didn't get any pictures of them with the little ponies.

Here are my handsome little cowpunchers.

Easter

We had a great Easter, especially because we were able to have my parents come and visit for a few days. The boys loved seeing their grandparents and I loved being able to visit and enjoy their company. We sure wish that they live closer to us. 

Here is a little taste of what we did for Easter:

We went to the city egg hunt. It was better than the horrible time last year, but still a little bit crazy. Perhaps we will skip this next year as I do not really appreciated being shoved by crazy parents trying to get their kids to savagely grab cheap plastic eggs filled with crap away from others. 

A sweet moment from our boys.

The church egg hunt which was WAY better. Except for the fact that the wind was blowing harder than the inside of a vacuum. While the boys were gathering eggs one of them found and OLD goose egg. I was just glad that Darin caught him before he tried to open it to get the goodies out. Gross.

The loot that the Easter Bunny brought. Don't you love the look on his face? Notice I did not show the look on my face at 6:00 a.m. Yeah, way to early.

My baby boy. Wow he is growing so fast! All spruced up for Easter Sunday.

One of the more decent efforts of a family picture.

Grandma and the boys.

Enjoying time with Grandpa and playing the piano. I think that he was trying to sneak a treat or something.

We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa. They need to come and visit us again soon ;)