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.

Another year older.

Whew... guess I got some catching up to do?? 

Well I had a birthday

Yep, I'm the big 2-3. 

Ha!! I know I'm like disgustingly young. I honestly have a hard time believing I'm that young. I feel like I'm 30!!! I got to thinkin about it the other day and I told Nat I can't wait to be 30.... cuz then I'll feel like I actually fit my age.

 Married, with 3 kids in school. Yep, bring on  30. 

 This first year in NM and having to spend all these "firsts"(b-days and holidays) away from our family's is always in the back of my mind on a special day that we usually would be spending with them so I was bummed about that....  Plus Nat wasn't able to take that day off so it was like any 'ol day. Madelynn, now understanding birthdays and how fun and exciting they are, made me feel extra special that day. :) 


Nat did get up and make breakfast for me. My favorite!!! Then he surprised me with a little candle in the english muffin. ;) He's cute like that. 

He did everything for me when he was home. It was a nice morning if I do say so myself... he even made our bed... which is kinda  REALLY a big deal. Nat doesn't believe in making beds... I know, INSANE! I'm like a -roll outta bed and make it- type of girl. I can't stand to walk by my room and see an unmade bed. Nat thinks... --eh, I'll be sleepin in it tonight... why waste the time making it??? So ya, it really IS a big deal.

BUT................. then the day got better!!!!!

He told me he had a surprise for me later when he got home from work. I figured, maybe just dinner out.... or a picnic. Something small and fun that I would still love. So I waited and waited for him to get home. Then he knocked on the door..... which is not un -common, as I always have the door locked when Im home alone, and he never brings his keys to unlock the door. Then I opened the door and saw..............

My mom, sister and nephew. 

I was COMPLETELY shocked and speechless. 

It was a great, fun little birthday surprise!! We enjoyed a nice weekend with them!!!

This week,  Nat is taking me on a surprise trip. I am beside myself excited to go on a little get away alone!!! Can't wait to see what he's got up his sleeve!!!

It was a very memorable birthday!! 

For the G-parents.

Not much goin on in our neck of the woods. Just thought I would post a few pics for the grandparents in our life that we haven't seen in what seems like a year!!!!!!!! Its really only been a few weeks. But, I'm sure that they can relate when I say it feels like its been                F O R E V E R!!! 

We moved the kids swing set, slide and sand box over between the house and the shop and its been way more pleasant as that area is shady and cool most of the day. I was kinda sad that our outside stuff has not been played with this summer because its all just simply too hot to play on. 

Anywho..... here's a few pics.

I have to laugh at the fact that the girls always go out in their "Princess" shoes. 

Madelynn on the right, Payton on the left.

AussBoss laying in her favorite position.... in the DIRT!

Bubba chasing the ball after he kicked it.

Nat started the sprinkler over by the shop and Stetson kept walking over there with his back to it and he would shiver and shake... I bet it was cold!!!

 .... and then he climbed in the sandbox.

 (blurry) Axel.

 Payton throwin her little Payton fits. ;)

Madelynn usually gets frustrated when the dogs lick her, but we've made a game out of it telling her they're giving her kisses and now she loves it!!!

(Payton would NOT let me take her picture.)

Taking a walk to look at the cows. 

Miss and Love Ya'll!! Can't wait to see everyone next week.