Family time!

I know I probably sound like a broken record when I say this... but by time Nat's days off roll around we are in desperate need for some family time. Just the 5 of us. Just some time to hang out at home, and just be together! Soooo Im excited that the past few days, we had nothing to do, as we've been going to Angelo the past several day's off he's had.

Ever since we've moved here, I've always wanted to explore what NM has to offer. We've seen lots of TX... several times. But one place that I've never really seen a whole lot of is NM. So I was thrilled when Nat suggested we just take a day trip and just d r i v e. I know what you're thinking.... take off and drive with 3 children under the age of 3??? Yes, we did! 

I'm pretty sure we live in the ugliest part of the country. Ya'll think San Angelo is bad.... here it is just plain 'ol ugly. Its flatter than San Angelo. Its browner than San Angelo.... and the tree's are non existent. The mesquite trees in angelo are amazing compared to the trees that aren't here. Basically, If someone didn't take the time out to plant, nurture, and BABY a tree... it doesn't exist. (Shout out to the previous home owners of our house who took the time to plant, nurture and baby so many trees!!!!)

Anyways. So that we did, we took off towards the mountains!! ... and I must brag on my 3 little seasoned travelers who make traveling rather simple given the circumstances.

It was fun to watch as more hills would appear and things growing out of the ground got a little taller. Our goal was either Alamogordo, or Ruidoso.

 Literally, I could drive through the mountains and the trees and the beautiful scenery for DAYS!!! Well, not drive, but ride. ;) Some people want the beach, some people want the city, some people want good 'ol TX... but give me mountains. Cold weather, beautiful scenery, huge trees on huge mountains and I'm a happy girl!

about 4 seconds after Nat said "how cool would it be to see an elk??"  He spotted one. A calf. (I was instructed to not call it a baby elk...  but a calf. So there ya go.) So we turned around.... cuz I don't ever see anything cool like this while driving down the road.... its a curse I tell you.

 Can you tell I'm obsessed??? I took about 500 pictures of just the scenery!!!

As we were driving through Cloudcroft and desperately needing to stop and eat some lunch and let the kids run around I saw this tiny little road up the mountain, with a tiny little sign that said "Picnic Area" so we turned around and made our way to a beautiful picnic area. Ohhh take me back! I could have drove the 2 hours just to have a picnic at this place. It was very well kept. Very friendly and did I mention beautiful??

The kids were in awe and they loved to explore. Can't wait to take them camping!!

After we ate and let the kids run around a little, we went on a little hike. It was just an 1/8 of a mile... but it was perfect to wear the kids out.

About halfway up, there was a scenic overlook and it was breathtaking. See the whiteness (not the clouds) behind the mountains??? Those are the White Sands... our next destination.

Of course, no trip would be complete without a meltdown. The second Nat opened the truck door, it was so silent and peaceful and he says "wow, its so quite"...... about 5 minutes later he said..... "until the Roses show up" It was quite hilarious and quite truthful as we are not a quite bunch. ;) We had to laugh at the fact that the park "host" who was sitting outside her trailer reading a book and eventually made her way into her trailer, and away from all the noise.

Madelynn was begging to get off the trail so as I sat up on the trail with fuss pot ^ while her and daddy went on their own little hike,

and this guy was with us too.

Next, we headed to Alamogordo. As much as I wanted to, and can't wait to go to Ruidoso, I wanna go on a trip with Nat sometime by ourselves. Plus Alamogordo had a little more to offer for the kids.

We ended up at the White Sands National Monument. It was amazing. Hills and hills of beautiful white sand.

We got some sleds and spent a good amount of time sledding down hills. and Oh boy, was it FUN! We all had a blast. Lots of smiles. Lots of laughter.

Although these next series of photos are blurry, I can't help but to share them with you! Her facial expressions are priceless!

Seems that ever since we made Payton get in the pool and face her fears, she has been scared of NOTHING!!! She was so fearless as a baby so we were kinda taken back by her fear that all sudden came about several months ago. I was a little worried that it would freak her out, but it seems all fear is gone, and she just loves life.

Climbing the hill of sand was rather strenuous so after awhile Daddy got smart and found a stick to pull them with.

Stetson had sooo much fun! He had a smile on his face the whole time! 

yep.. even I went. But to spare you the details. I'll leave the picture small. ;)

Madelynn kept asking to build a snowman.. but since that wasn't possible. Daddy found the next best thing to do.

 

They loved it.

and this little dude.... loved eating the sand.

 Nat dared me to run and jump on the sled and ski down the hill.... and I did. 

Well, I ran and jumped and fell.... several times... and I will definitely spare you those pics. 

Then he gave it a try and he did slightly better than I did.

We had such an awesome day!! and Its definitely something that we'll be doing again, but I hope at some point we can go and stay the night!! I also can't wait to go in winter and let the kids experience snow. We got some good bonding time as a family. 

The past few days we've been cleaning up around the outside of the house. Nat being gone so much, I do all that I can to keep up the outside. But its definitely just not enough! So me and him have been knocking out the outside and getting it looking a little better. We took the pool down for winter, mowed, pulled weeds, took "junk" to the "junk" pile that will someday be burned and Nat poured the beginnings of more concrete slab for the kids to play in. Our goal is to concrete in the area between the house and the driveway just so the kids can have that much more room to play and ride bikes on. The first part is done and I can't wait to get the rest done!!