Best Spring Break Ever!

I think we just had the best Spring Break ever!

Two other families and ourselves spent 3 nights camping at Buckskin Mtn State Park, AZ. We had 6 adults and 14 kids all under the age of 11. It was great that each of the kids had someone to play with.

We arrived Sunday afternoon and had this gorgeous view of the Colorado River right from our camp site. One night we saw wild donkey's on the other side which is actually California not Arizona.

Because it was Sunday and trying to  keep the day holy by not swimming we brought other activities to keep the kids occupied. Who doesn't love bubbles!

 

The Schutlz family brought walkie-talkies which kept the kiddo's entertained for hours.

I don't think our family has ever done this kind of camping. When we camp we usually rough it pretty well. This campsite came with running water, shower's, flushing toilets a basketball court and a playground. In front of our camp site we had grass and huge trees that offered lots of shade. Unfortunately none of the shade fell directly over our camp site but it was close enough we took advantage of it. Despite being early Spring during the day the temps rose above 80 degrees. It was quite hot. 

On Monday we spent most of our day at the "beach". Being spring break I thought there would be a ton of people and kids. Most of the camp sites were full but they were full of really nice, large air conditioned, tv campers. We rarely saw any of our neighbors. In face I'm pretty sure we were the only ones in a tent.  

Brayden so excited to find a craw dad's claw!

Our two older boys, Hunter and Josh.

The best part about our "beach" was the buoy's that helped keep the kiddo's from being swept down the river in the current. 

The Davis family brought lots of blow up floaties that the kids absolutely loved.

We brought my dad's two blow up rafts. The kids and adults had a great time using them.  

Even though the camp ground was packed we had the beach and all along the river as far as the eye could see to ourselves. Occasionally a boat would go down the river but it seemed like we were the only ones there. It was great!

The smaller raft was used many times to cross the river to California. They would climb up the rocks and jump off. This is Kevin mid jump with Hunter and Josh watching, wishing they had the courage.

Kevin and Madelyn

The girls. All three of them are 8! 

The water was cold and felt good with the heat. This little one took a while before she jumped in with the rest. 

 Hunter and Dad having a water fight. Hunter soaked Dad's hat but Hunter got dunked. Pretty sure Dad won this round. 

It was heaven when the sun went down. It cooled down but was never cold. We had a campfire for fun each night. Roasting star bursts and marshmallows is always a must for a good camp out.

On day 2 we spent most of our day back at the beach. 

Dad taking the little's out for a ride. 

This is Brystol washing her hair??? 

The two 10 year old girls. 

When the parents were done with the water we came back to camp and let the kids play at the playground.  

 We had the older kids race each other.

This little man was so tired by the end of the day that he almost fell asleep. Seriously....on sand? 

Getting ready for bed before it gets too dark. 

Waiting for the dutch over dinner to finish. 

Our 4 day/3 night stay was so much fun!

All the kids got along great, there was plenty of food to eat and lots of mingling to have. The nights were my favorite. We'd put the kids to bed and the adults would sit around the camp fire visiting. It was so peaceful! I don't think any of us were ready to return home. We had so much fun that when the Schultz family returned home they reserved our campsite for next year at the same place, same time.

Can't wait for next year to continue our friendships.

London Bridge

On our way home from camping we stopped in Lake Havasu City, AZ

I remember one of my school teachers telling me that most nursery/folk songs are based off of actual events. As a kid I remember singing and playing the little game to London Bridges. As a mother I have taught my own children how to play London Bridges. Not once have I actually thought of it being based on a real event. Apparently this little song is about something that really did happen. England at one time had a London Bridge. As far as I can tell the actual bridge never fell down but the bridge began to sink and slide little by little year after year. I guess in a sence it was falling. England was deciding to replace the bridge when a very wealthy man, Robert Paxton McCulloch decided to buy it. Each brick was taken down brick by brick, each was numbered and then sent 5,300 miles from London to  Lake Havasu City, AZ. Part of the London Bridge is used today, everyday by those visiting and living in Lake Havasu. This bridge allows us to drive over the Colorado River. 

Wanting to see the bridge a little more then just driving on it we stopped to check it out. In Roman times the City of London is marked by a dragon at each entry by freeway. Visitors can walk underneath the bridge and visit all the touristy type shops.

Beautiful water fountain we were able to walk around.

Brayden pretending to be Super Man!

Being right next to the water the kids tried to play with the ducks and chased the birds.

The London Bridge!

It was a real interesting and learning experience. Who knew the London Bridge was real and that it now resides in Arizona!

It's a Boy!

My sister, Sheri, had a baby boy! 

Introducing.......Jesse James Chipman. 

He is so stinkn' cute!

He almost makes me want to have another baby.

So.... I lied, he does make me want another baby.  I love the newborn stage. I love the cuddling, the cooing, the way they smell, the way they stay scrunchy and little like for a week or two. I love watching all the firsts of my babies. The 1st time they look at me and I know they really see me, the first time they sit up all on their own, the 1st crawl, the first word, and that 1st step. Although I want another baby to experience all those 1st's again my day's of having babies has come to an end. I've realized that although I have had five opportunities now witnessing and cheering on those 1st's, I am not done. I still have many 1st's to look forward to, their just a little different now. Like when Brayden, 5yrs old, played goalie during his 1st soccer game and blocked his 1st shot keeping the other team from scoring. That is a smile that I hope to always remember. When Kylie 1st discovered she could get dressed all by herself. Or when Emily, who's 8, sang with her school choir for the 1st time. Oh boy was she nervous. But she did so well! When Hunter performed his 1st solo on his cello. When Madelyn ran her 1st 5k. I am enjoying these 1st's just like I enjoyed those 1st smiles.  As my children continue to grow and mature those 1st's will continue to change. The time has come for our family to move on to the next stage of life. I look forward to these changes and am ready to embrace it!

A Snow Day In Hurricane.

Our 1st winter in Hurricane has been pretty mild. My kids rarely take their coats and then it's only because I have forced them too. I have been told many times by numerous people that this winter has been extremely mild like every where else in the country. I know for the good of everyone our land needs moisture. Our mountains need to be snow packed to provide water for next year but I won't lie.... I've been enjoying the warm weather. 

Sunday night the wind really picked up and the dark clouds rolled in. The weatherman said that we could expect snow or rain. I really thought we'd get rain. 

Hunter catches the bus at 7:04. The bus stop is down the street and around the corner. When I realized we had snow and it was still coming down pretty thick I took pity on him an drove him to the bus stop where I waited until the bus came.   

During the next hour I kept getting conflicting text messages from the school district about the elementary school. One would say the buses would be late, the next would say the buses weren't coming, with the next saying buses were coming but would not be going up any hills. My kids did not want to go to school. They wanted to stay home and play in the snow.

The last text I got said that our bus was not coming and that if I didn't/couldn't get them to school that it would be an excused absence. I let the kids decide whether or not they went to school.

Of course they stayed home. They played off and on all morning and had a wonderful time. As the morning crept by the sun came out and the snow began to melt. By lunch time it was basically gone.  

This upcoming fast Sunday we have been asked to fast/pray for moisture. The kids are looking forward to their next snow day!

Sheri's Maternity Photos

My sister Sheri asked me to take some maternity shots of her and her family. It's a good thing we did it that particular Saturday because less than 2 weeks later Baby Jesse was born. 

I'm learning that with each picture I take I can learn something to do better next time. For instance on this one I think the sky is very distracting. It would have been better for the skyline to be above all their heads. Next time....

Pretty Momma...

I love the kids playing in the back ground.

Sheri is not having twins. 

But being she has a boy and a girl she was letting baby #3 be a surprise!

Jamie wanted a brother and of course Brionney was hoping for a baby sister.

For fun we wanted to try something different. Once again I learned from these and can't wait to try it again with someone else.               

Thank you Sheri for letting me take your pictures. There are so many to choose from it's going to be hard to pick the ones to print. We did good!

Valentines

The past few years the kids school have had the kids decorate a bag for their valentines. This is usually done earlier in the week or the 1st activity during the party. LAME!!! I've hated this each and every year! There is no creativity, no imagination. Just a bunch of coloring or placing sticker's. Again....LAME!!

This year Madelyn came home excited that her class was having a contest on who could make the most valentine, animal, sports themed, etc. boxes. Madelyn chose to do an animal theme. 

A Queen Alligator 

The first day with all the kids we cut out, hot glued and spray painted. On day two we touched up the paint, and decorated with crowns, pompoms and our googly eyes. Day three we made our valentines to pass out. 

Loved the alligator. In the end she won 1st place!

Brayden made a shark out of an oatmeal container. Kylie helped and watched them all.

Emily made a robot. I love the way it turned out. She did a great job cutting out the heart and lips.

Everyone in her class was impressed with her box!

I didn't get pictures of their valentines we made. Brayden handed out play doh  that 

said "I'm "doh" excited to be your valentine".

The girls taped a package of kool-aid to a silly straw with a saying that 

said, "Sip, sip horray it's Valentines Day!"

A shadow!

My baby girl is growing up. I miss her chubby cheeks, I miss her babyhood. She is no longer a baby but a toddler. A beautiful one at that!

Can't believe this beautiful weather in early February. Loving the sunshine!

Kylie and I were waiting for the bus to come with Brayden when she discovered her shadow! 

She chased it!

She waved at it.

She danced with it.

She loved playing with her shadow.

1st Park Time of the Year

Once a week big brother, Hunter has private cello lessons for 45 minutes. It's not quite worth my time to go home but we quickly run out of things to do while waiting for him. With the weather being unusually warm I grabbed their jackets and we went to the park 

Kylies favorite is swinging.

Brayden loves the slide.

Couldn't get Kylie to try the bigger slide but she loved the smaller one.

Brayden in "motion".

We went to the bank right before the park. Her favorite color is blue and was thrilled she was given a blue sucker. Got to love those blue lips.

Brayden loved being able to climb up the bars instead of using the stairs. 

He and I would race to see who was the fastest.

Playing tag.

Those 45 minutes that usually drag on by seemed to go by too fast this time. 

Love bath time!

Her  hair is getting so long...

Oldest and Youngest

My oldest likes to tease!

He loves his baby sister but their relationship is usually one of him teasing her. He is 11, she 2. There is a 9 year difference between them. Over the past couple of weeks these two have developed quite the bond. I've caught Kylie in his room with him "helping" him put his legos together. I have seen him take the time to push her down the street in her little car. The other day I had my camera out and was able to capture their latest entertainment. Playing wii.

She has to have the pink remote. The only game she'll play is Mario Kart. Her chosen all time favorite person is Baby Peach driving in her stroller.  

He cater's to her. He loves her! 

She loves him. So happy to see them spending time together!

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to mom. Happy birthday to mom. 

Happy birthday to mommy, happy birthday to mom!

Look at the fantastic girl pac-man birthday cake Madelyn made for me. 

Madelyn made my cake on a Friday after school. Saturday morning while Kory and I were split up at two different basketball games with the rest of the kids; Maddie was with Aunt Hanna decorating it. I loved playing pac man as a kid. Every year the kids ask what kind of cake I want and I usually say I'd love to make a pac man cake. Years have gone by and I've never gotten around to it. Madelyn finally did it for me! My birthday fell on a Sunday this year. When she brought it home Saturday she kept it hidden from me to keep the surprise. Love my girl!