Fall Break Lodge

 Fall Break has flown by and I am so thankful I got the chance to sneak away to the Lodge with the boys for a few days.  Wednesday morning we helped my mom and dad pack up some stuff from their house (they sold it) and then we headed up to the high country.  In Show Low we stopped at Safeway for groceries and Michael had fun prancing around the parking lot with a skeleton head and arms.  It was hilarious watching him wave and try to pick up stuff with the arms - like the Saturday Night Live skit with the small hands.  Ben could not stop laughing. 

 Thursday we woke up to gray skies, wind, thunder and rain/sleet/snow.  The weather up there is a fickle thing.  We drove into town to make our requisite Wal Mart trip and by the time we got back the sky looked blue.  However, it continued to rain the rest of the day.  Some highlights from Thursday:  watching The Pioneer Woman on the Foodnetwork - she's making homemade pizza and ice cream pie.  Evan says, "Don't erase this grandma!  We need this food."  Later I told the boys that I used to make pizza from scratch when they were little.  Max quips, "And now all she makes is Digiorino :/

 Kim and Brian came up late Thursday night (yay!).  Brian kept Evan entertained most of the day Friday.  Evan built a robot out of Jenga blocks and then he built the word "Robo" out of the blocks in honor of a business he wants to start (more on that later)

 We also discovered just how double jointed Max is.  Freaky.  He then showed us how he can bend his legs in a weird way and walk on his feet.  That boy constantly surprises me. 

 I love when the boys are together makin' music.  For a long time on Friday Joe played guitar and him and Michael sang while we played 5 Crowns. 

I decided to travel home late Friday night - Ben and Max stayed at the Lodge with the folks and Kim and Brian, which left me with these crazies.  Michael stayed awake the whole way home to make sure I didn't fall asleep.

I love spending time with my parents and sister.  It is wonderful to go to a place where I can be me and feel unconditional love.  I can't begin to say how much I needed that.  Plus they all like me!  I can't ask for more than that :)

Labor Day

 Darrel and Trina invited us over for Labor Day.  Xander opted to stay home but the rest of us went and had an awesome time. 

 Trina set up a slip and slide in the back yard.  The kids had a blast!

 Max, Ben and Addy played slip n slide football. 

 While Ian played some Song Pop.

 Darrel and Ian hanging out.

 The boys were excited to eat some watermelon.  I never buy it so they love it when they can get some.

Later, Darrel played a Jim Gaffigan special for Ian and I.  I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.  I'm so thankful for Darrel and Trina and their kids.  Not only are they family but they are some of our best friends.  SCORE!

Cabin wrap-up

 After the lake, we ventured into Pinetop to visit Ian's grandparents cabin.  It's where Ian spent a lot of his childhood summers.  He loved showing Ben and Max around (the other boys went home with my mom and Trina)

 Back at the cabin, Ian kept the girls and Rowan and Evan entertained. 

 While Joe and Michael danced in the kitchen. 

 Later we spotted a wild animal :)

 Many games of 5 Crowns were played...

 We traveled home on Saturday.  Of course Ian carved and stained a stick while we were there.

 Until next time...

More cabin...

 On Thursday we decided to go to the Fool's Hollow Lake.  There's a great area for eating and for boating or swimming. 

 Trina thought about renting a canoe, but the guy told us it might rain and he didn't want to rent them out because of the chance of lightning.  Boo!

 The boys contemplate going in the water.  It was cold!

 Ruby got ready to go in, but I don't think she ever actually went in.

 Meanwhile, Ian found a tree to carve. 

 Finally Ben, Max and Michael ventured in the water.

 Addy thought about it.

 Evan wanted to go in, but he was nervous. 

 Michael ended up swimming into the middle of the lake.  3 cheers for Michael!

 We bought a few inflatable rafts and the kids had fun with those. 

 Look at that hot mama!

 Ian's carving :)

We had a fun time just hanging out at enjoying the weather and the lake.  Good times.

Cabin week!

 I was so happy to travel up to the cabin the Tuesday after the fourth.  And I was so glad to be greeted by Ruby and Xander - 2 faces I hadn't seen in a while!

 Ben's friend Ian was able to come up with us - it was a little confusing having 2 Ians so I told Ben's Ian that we'd call him Junior.  Not sure he liked that ;).  First up - Ranger ride!

 Trina, my mom and I spent the afternoon on the porch.  It was such a nice day and Trina showed my mom how to use her phone.

 That night my dad built a bonfire.  The kids loved it.  Notice my kids bare feet.  Awesome.

 Ruby and I cuddled.  I love that little girl so much.  We are great friends.

 The next morning Xander woke me up at the crack of dawn with a bird in his hand.  I kid you not.  That kid can catch any thing!  Since he woke me up, I decided to go fishing with him. 

 Of course he caught quite a few.  He is such a great fisherman. 

 Later that day, all the kids played a game Kim brought.  I forgot what it was called but the kids loved it.

 Evan played with some bows and arrows that Trina had brought for her kids at a swap meet.  We tried to go back and get more because all of the kids had a blast playing with them.  Alas, there were no more :(

 More cabin fun to come...