Arches NP- Day 2

Our second day at Arches was full of more snow and also quite a bit of fog. 

We decided to be a little better prepared and went to a store in Moab to find snow boots. We were able to find then for Henry and Wyatt and ended up getting some thick socks for Gavin and then wrapping his feet in plastic bags before putting his shoes on. It was pretty old school, but it kept his feet dry and warm. 

We hiked park of the double arch trail first. It was very wet and pretty slippery.

Finn liked getting into the narrow spots on the trail and yelling out to hear his voice echo.

A family shot at the Landscape Arch.

The Fiery Furnace was looking pretty cold.

Even though we were pretty warn out after the double arch hike, we decided to take our chances and try and get to Delicate Arch. The view point road was closed because it was washed out, and the last time Caleb and I were in Arches, the entire road was washed out, so hiking wasn't even an option. The boys were real troopers and did well on the hike. It also helped that there was less snow and almost no wind on this hike, so we were able to stay warm.

Taking a little break on the climb up the big rock.

Finally, we made it to the top! It was pretty amazing.

Henry was pretty afraid of heights when we got up there and refused to move from his spot on the rock.

We were all glad that we made the hike, and then we went on to Cortez, Colorado for our next stop.

First Stop- Moab- Arches National Park- Day 1

For Thanksgiving Break we decided to make a trip to Albuquerque and to stop at a few of the wonderful sites along the way. Our plan was to spend the first afternoon in Goblin Valley and then head on to Moab. That plan slowly deteriorated as we arrive at Interstate 70 to a lot of falling snow. We drove toward Goblin Valley on a partly snow covered road and realize after 20 of the 35 miles that we would have to turn around when we hit to completely snow covered roads. So onward we went to Arches National Park.

We saw some red rock in conditions that very few people witness, and probably for good reasons. We were equipped for hiking and wandering in the cold, but not for quite this much wet. We decided to talk the short walk to Double Arch.

These happy group shots were before the many fiascos that ended this short hike with multiple people soaking wet and in big trouble. It was pretty, and it was an adventure. It also put an end to our first day at Arches and we headed to our motel to warm up and dry off.

Finn was probably the driest person of all after that hike. 

We did take a short drive along the Colorado River and saw some very beautiful scenery.

A couple of funny moments in Moab happened when we arrived at the motel. It was a small local place and when Gavin walked in first he turned to Henry and said, "I guess you walk right into the bedroom." We then had to explain that the bedroom was the only room and that was how a hotel worked. I decided that my kids have been too spoiled by all of their family and friend trip that involve cabins and condos and vacation homes that can hold a big group. They weren't sure quite what to do with a small hotel room, which was made an even bigger adventure when Gavin started throwing up at midnight. 

Leaves?

So, I don't actually have a single tree in my yard, front or back. This is something that my boys complained a lot about when we moved into this house. We do intend to play a tree or two, but haven't gotten around to it. Despite this fact, I somehow end up with an unreal number of leaves in my yard. In the back, the pile was as tall as Wyatt. Caleb and the boys cleaned most of it up, and I thought we were done with leaves. A few days later we had a big wind storm and the next morning, I found the entire front yard covered in leaves. The boys love the leaves so much more than I do.

I even got some help cleaning them all up, and it is a good thing, because it looked like this a few days later.

Fall Break

Almost forgot that we had a fun fall break in between the Marathon and Halloween.

Some of the fun things we did.

Went to a great private park with Anne, and got to climb around, run and play with new friends. It was beautiful.

 We went to Wheeler Farm to wander around in the sun and see the animals.

 Had some corn from our garden... those are the full size ears.

 Wandered around all of the cool places near our neighborhood. Threw rocks in the water. Played on the playground and climbed tree.

 Squeezed in a little bowling.

Gotta love having some time off school just to mess around.

Happy Halloween

We had a super fun Halloween this year. Caleb has told me that I have let the boys expectations get too high by trying to create whatever costume idea come to their heads. Sadly, I can't help it. They get so excited and then go on and on when it is all finished about how much they love it. It just feels like I have to keep doing it, as long as they keep getting excited about it.

Pre-trick-or-treating shot.

And in order of age... not necessarily in order of awesomeness...

Gavin- The Roman Knight

Gavin picked his costume all to fit around that sword. Which all of the boys thought was the coolest plastic sword they had ever seen. We also had to make some choices around which helmet would fit Gavin's head. Luckily, it all came together to look great. Not too shabby for a mom without a sewing machine.

With his best friend during the school parade around the neighborhood.

Somehow Henry got the idea that he wanted to be a minotaur. Not an easy costume to make for a skinny 6 year old, but luckily he had quickly abandoned the idea of needing to appear to have big muscles. He loved his costume and wore the nose around for several days. He is, by far, the easiest kid to please when it comes to things like this. He gets excited about the small things.

Also with his good friend in the school parade... no weapons for school, of course.

As with most 3 year olds, Wyatt got excited about being one thing... A real knight, and then made a last minute change on Halloween...

... To batman. We are pretty lucky to have such a good stash of costumes hanging around.

Finn was our little monster. He even got fully into character and did lots of yelling and howling when we tried to take his picture. I finally learned that there is no point in going to tons of effort on a costume for a boy this age. They just had it. At least, Finn was tricked into feeling like he had been let off the hook. And he was pretty cute.

Just a couple more group shots.

And a peek at the loot at the end of the night... way too much candy, but lots of fun was had.