A little getaway.

       A few weeks ago, we had the chance to go to Flagstaff with some good friends of ours-it was so sweet of them to actually  invite us, especially after Adam prettymuch invited himself :) We got to go up to their family house up there, which is fantastic because a) it has tons of room for lots of kids/families to stay and have their own area and b) Beth's parents are very welcoming and didn't mind us invading with our crew-and even cooked for us!! and c) it's out of the city, tucked back in the mountains outside of Flag (as they call it here) and c) it backs to BLM land. So, you know, pretty much just an all-around fantastic mountain getaway. We drove up Friday afternoon and spent one night up there (this time...muah ha ha!!) playing outside, loving the quiet, enjoying being able to see all those stars again, and learning a new card game. (Of course) It felt so familiar and home-like to Adam and I; we agreed it was just therapeutic to get out of the city for awhile...it's funny, since it's much higher in altitude, but I told Adam that I felt like I could breathe up there-and I'm pretty sure it had a lot to do with  soul-space and the peace that is found in the outdoors.
        After we got the rest of the kids to bed that night, Blythe tried her hardest (boy, did she try!!) to stay awake as long as the adults did; she finally gave up on the couch in front of the fire about 10:30 that night. It was pretty funny-she just wouldn't let herself stop moving. And if she felt herself getting tired-up she went from where ever she was! For a three-year old who hadn't had a nap, that pretty much spelled meltdown the next afternoon...but that was AFTER we left :)

We ate "first breakfast" Saturday morning (after keeping the kids quiet as long as we could), and then headed out with Beth, Loren, their two girls, Beth's parents, and the dogs for a little hike. Yes, that's my youngest in a pink marshmallow snow suit. I know I brought along our blue one, but it disappeared. So we borrowed...he has a red hat on, so that's ok, right??

 Pax took off up the trail with Beth's dad and the dogs as soon as the door was opened, which is why I have only one very far away picture of him from the whole time. Beth and I let the others go ahead and stayed back with the two littlest girlies; so we had time to admire the early morning sun on the grass.

That's Blythe (3) and Cora (2)- these two are about 10 months apart... they sure do have fun together! Blythe was talking a mile-a-minute to Cora, of course, who I'm pretty sure was telling her she just wanted to play in the dirt.

 A bit further down the trail, Charissa (4) came back to walk with us, and the girls took a break. That's Cubby popping out of her jacket-he's a Very Important Animal.

See? Playing in the dirt on the trail-good times!

A little of the view...beautiful day.

I know Adam might not be happy with me putting pictures of his youngest son wearing pink on here-but look how he feel asleep in the backpack!! SO cute. I'm loving these last few days of true babyhood before he becomes a full-on toddler!
    The rest of the day was spent eating "second breakfast" (pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes-the works cooked by Beth's hubby Loren), playing outside, and learning proper slingshot technique. Very important.

   As soon as we pulled away that afternoon, Blythe proceeded to melt down and throw the biggest fit ever (for her) off and on the rest of the afternoon...even all through her nap on the way down! Impressive, to be sure. We told the kids if they took naps (much needed) on the way back, we could go burrito movie night that night; but only if they slept. To which Pax replied, "I get a burrito if I take a nap, right?" (Right) "Ok, I'm going to sleep now," and promptly closed his eyes and was asleep. Also impressive....
thanks for the little retreat, Beth and Loren...looking forward to going up again sometime!!n