Temporary Address: A little ways down Forest Service Road 180, Mogollon Rim, AZ

Last week was our camping trip with Chris's family. We met up with Grandma & Grandpa Hancock and Randy & Collette & their family (Chris's aunt & Uncle). We had so much fun and were seriously thinking of permanently changing our address! Here are... just a few... pictures to show you what I mean:

The view from our "usual" spot--

we went all yuppie and took trailers this time...

the trailers would have never made it back here!

Chris, Me, B, Ronda, Tess, Mike (Sam & Grandpa)

Grandma Hancock, Ronda, Grandpa Hancock

Sam (Chris's cousin)

Daddy & B

After the "not so bad" hike down to Lake Chevelon

(That hike is longer than I remember it being 4 years ago...)

Lake Chevelon

Tippi actually voluntarily splashing in the water
(if you know Tippi, you'll know why this is amazing)

Our little (dirty) camper.

This is how he looked 99% of the time.

That's what campin's for!

Found Daddy's "Glub"

I don't think Tippi could have been any happier than she was this week. She got to roam freely and eat all of our left overs. She was truly content!

Bretton is big into anything that can "hit the ball"

So naturally, we took the t-ball set and also had fun with badminton

K, I just thought this was funny. He would make this face with every bite during dinner one night. Silly kid.

And this one's just cute

Fishing @ Woods Canyon Lake

Tess and Travis caught one...

So did Randy.

(Truth be told, I did have the first catch of the day but we couldn't pull it out fast enough and he got away. Dang it.)

Sammy boy on the boat

Woods Canyon Lake

Sam was excited about catching the fish, but not too sure how he felt about touching it.

We got the fish back to camp and the boys got them cleaned and straight into the fire.

They were so yummy!

The new "I'm cool with sunglasses on" face

Site of the temporary address change

B in grandpa's shoes.

They're about as big as he is!

We stopped on the way out to get pictures of the view

My husband is hot... even after camping for 3 days!

The pictures don't do it justice.

At all.

The "Rig"

Thanks for the "rental" Brenda and Allens!

We owe you guys!

Little Picassos

Bretton and Brenden had their first experience painting this week. It took them a only a few seconds to figure out what to do... and then only a few more seconds to figure out that paint not only looks good on paper, but on them too!

Bretton figured that part out first. The paint looked great on his tummy. Brenden noticed what Bretton was doing and followed suit. Bretton thought Brenden was so funny painting himself that he put his hands up to his face to laugh and we get...
...then they started to paint eachother, and it just turned into a great painty-fun mess!

The finished product

Motherhood Rewards

For all the complaining I do about the challenges of raising a toddler, I feel it necessary to make a note of the rewards that come for my own benefit so I can look back and remember these sweet times.

On Thursday, Bretton and I were by ourselves while Brenden was home spending the day with his other aunt. I was trying (this being the operative word) to give some much needed attention to my hurricane stricken room but B just wanted me to play. So, seeing that my efforts were going to be in vain, I gave in. I had him on the bed and was "munching" on him, which he thought was hilarious. We were both just laughing uncontrollably when he stopped, put his little hands on either side of my face and pulled me in for a kiss... twice... and then just smiled at me. I about cried it was so sweet.

Then, yesterday we were up in Flagstaff for the night because Chris had to DJ a party. I took Bretton back to his Aunt Deb's house and after a little playing with cousins, I went to put him down for bed. It was way past bedtime so it took him a little while to wind down. Once he finally did, I had him laying on the bed and I was singing to him. He seemed to be settling in pretty good when he lifted his head, looked over at me and said "Day do mama." (Translation: "Thank you, mama") AW! I about cried again. I love this kid!!