My sweet darling love had this whole surprise planned out for us to take a trip together for my birthday. 

We (the kids and I) booked it home from TX on Sunday and I re-grouped to prepare to leave my kids for a few days, and walk back out the door the next day. We took off Monday afternoon and headed towards the mountains! Secretly, thats what I had hoped for but I wasn't gonna assume and get my hopes up. We ended up in Cloudcroft, NM. 

Beautiful

Perfect

Cozy

Amazing.

Those are a few words I would use to describe this place. Nat got us a cabin up in the mountains.

The fireplace in the room was lit the whole time we were there! It was great to sleep to the warmth and the glow of the fire..

 right outside our door.

We went to supper right after we got their... oh YUM! I serisouly just can't stop thinkin about it! I can't wait to eat there again when we go back. I snapped this photo of the sunset on our way.

The next day we did a little shopping.

 and eating.

 For lunch we got  some sandwiches from this cute little sandwich shop and we went for a little picnic.

 then a 3 1/2 mile hike! I think it was a tad unintentional for 2 outta shape people to go on such hike.

But, we did!

 As relaxing and peaceful as it was to be surrounded by such beauty, I'll admit that I was a CHICKEN! I mean, seriously, they have these signs posted all over the trail about animals to watch out for.

A coon- OK.

Rabbits, birds- OK.

A BEAR?!?! - not ok.

MOUNTAIN LION- not ok.

So yes, I was a little cautious. I'm the kinda person that sees something once and I will NEVER forget it. I seriously have to be very careful as to what I watch on TV cuz it will haunt me forever. So you know, those bear attack shows.... ya, running through my mind the whole time. I just kept waiting to hear that bear.

 Fortunately, we didn't see any frightening things.

But lots of pretty things!! Seriously. Wow, the fall colors. AMAZING!

Later we went driving around... just for fun. We found a few trails that led up mountains and took them. We decided we wanted to come back at night and see what more wildlife we could see. 

elk remains.

But before we did, we had some dinner. My sweet, thoughtful husband brought steaks for us to grill for supper right outside our cabin. But, thats it. :) I had to smile at his thoughtfulness but then laughed about the fact that he didin't bring anything else. No utensils. No seasonings. No sides. No plates. We had a good laugh about it. After an expensive trip to Allsups, we had a nice little dinner together. It got waaay to cold to eat outside.

He ended up using screw drivers out of his truck to turn the steaks... and used pliers and a screw driver to open the canned veggies. :)

and of course s'mores!

That night we went out back up a few trails in the mountains and we were able to see a TON of elk. It was amazing. 

The next day we went fishing.

Nat caught the first one.

I caught the 2nd and 3rd. Yep, I got 2. He got 1.... 

So, we got a little competitive. ;)

We had an amazing time. It was definitely a much needed breather for us!!! Shout out to my MIL for staying with the kids, grocery shopping for us, and holdin down the fort while we got away!!

fall.

The kids and I have been back in TX for a few days. I am selling some  A lot of stuff in the JBF sale this weekend.

So we planned to make our annual trip to the pumpkin patch with the In-laws.... but without Nat. :(

Life's just not the same without him!! We still have fun and enjoy time with family, but I can't help but to feel a sense of emptiness when were here without him. The kids had a lot of fun. Stetson was a little tired due to not liking to sleep in the car. 

Ergo.. Pumpkin Patch 2011.

Stetson was more interested in the dogs next door and poor Uncle Karl was the chaser of this one.

Ok, so I settled on the fact I do have 3 small children... and its hard to get 1 small child to look at a camera and smile... much less 3. So I made a deal with myself long ago that I would settle with what they give me and hang it on my wall no matter what they're doing... and I have. But I do want 1 simple picture of them all 3 looking and smiling. YES, that is too much to ask for!!! I know.

 We desperately need some family pics done so maybe someone thats not me can get them to look at the camera..... if that day shall ever come.

anyways.... here it is. All 3 of them at their best.

There is a real pumpkin patch that I found thats kinda sorta close to us (in NM). Real as in go out in the field and get your punkin, go through a maze and cool junk like that. I've never been to one like that.... but I really really REALLY wanna go to one someday. I don't know that Nat's days off will suffice this year.... but here's to hopin!! If not I hope that we can go next year.