Travel Like Me!

I left the Beehive State and went to the Land of Enchantment via the Grand Canyon State (bonus points if you know what I'm talking about WITHOUT using Google).  I was there for five days and took seven pictures.  Yep, seven. 

And I call myself a blogger...

Here's a short list of what I did not record forever (at least it would have been forever until my phone met with a sad and tragic death, like they always do)

• the lady on the plane who could not stop using the f word but had gorgeous hair
• my 8 day old niece, she's the most beautiful thing ever
• my sister's spread of land (Collette, would you call it a ranch/ farm/ homestead/ plot o' land??), whatever it is, she's living in paradise
• my mom milking her goat, because frankly, I never thought I'd live to see that day
• my brother and his gorgeous wife, although if I had a picture of the two of them I'd probably just feel bad about myself
• my other brother and his beautiful wife, again I would feel bad about that picture because she's the mother of the perfect baby and her baby pooch was significantly (read, non- existent) smaller than my 3 year old pooch
• my nephews, watching them sort of frightened me because I was certain we were going to have to call 911 ANY SECOND NOW!! (the boys have no fear, none)
• myself giving my siblings parenting advice which was totally awesome because my kids weren't actually THERE, you know, to prove me wrong
• aunts, uncles and cousins that I haven't seen in many years, like double digit years
• the gorgeous mountain I sorta ran up and definitely sprinted down

Perhaps the next time I travel somewhere I should include on my list something revolutionary like

• camera: check
• use the camera: check
• take pictures of people you care about: check

Why I love summer vacation

I really, kinda, sorta, 100% like my kids. 

And summer vacation is the bestest (my girls use that word so I'm pretty sure it's legit) because we get to be together all the time.

We've been taking field trips this summer.  At least we're calling them field trips because it makes me feel official and productive rather than saying "let's ignore the laundry for one more day and go find something fun to do".

A few weeks ago we "discovered" the open pit mine, the one that's practically in our backyard, the one that supposedly the astronauts can see from space (that might be an urban legend), we decided to check it out.  Yes, we've lived here for over eight years, your point is?  We had a free pass so it sounded like a winner to me.

They have all sorts of cool things up there like old mining cars, maps, giant rocks and explanations for everything.  But let's be clear, that's not why you go up there.  No, this is why.

It's all about the giant trucks and when I say giant, I mean bigger than your average suburban house giant.  Makes a port- a- potty look like a toy giant.  Giant as in that truck you see leading the way, that's a regular size dump truck, the one behind it, much bigger. 

Such a cool field trip.

Easily entertained,

Kristen

It's spring break!

Things are going to get crazy around here.  We'll start with some intense dirt therapy.

The attraction of a pile of dirt is not to underestimated.

Good food will definitely make an appearance.

Maybe popsicles aren't your idea of good food (mine either) but the kids think they're gourmet.

We might get a little crafty.

The crafts are iffy, just because I'm not crazy about finding beads on my floor for the next 6 months.

The boys desperately need haircuts.

Too bad their hairdresser only knows one haircut.  Someone really needs to teach that girl how to cut hair.  Also tell her that her hand is freakishly large. 

To top it all off, Grandma and Grandpa are coming to visit!  Yay!

We also have parks to play at, museums to explore and hopefully we can squeeze in some serious slothing on the couch.

I'm going to start with the slothing (is that even a word?) and see where it takes us.

Kristen

Somewhere on the road from Silver City to Deming

Here's how the Miles' family entertains themselves when stuck in the car.

On a long trip.  In the summer.  Through the desert.  When the DVD player is having issues.

Kristen: What was your favorite part?

Husband: When he says he blows up his pool.

K: That's nice but I meant the weekend not the Brad Paisley song.

H: I don't have a specific event.

K: What about the food?

H: Fireworks were great. They were pretty snappy.

K: Focus.  Food.

H: Saturday's food was good.

K: Finally. Anything disappointing?

H: Jaliscos was disappointing.

K: You're saying it wrong.

H: That's because I don't care. It wasn't good. It burnt my mouth. Oh and some lady yelled at me at the parade.

K: Ya, that was pretty funny. Good times.

H: Church was not fun.

K: I agree. One o'clock is never a good idea.

K: Thanks for your time. We're done now.

Now it's the oldest's turn

K: Hi. How are you?

1: Hi momma. I'm good.

K: So what was your favorite part?

1: Playing in the playroom.

K: Did you like the parade?

1: Yes.

K: Anything else?

1: I liked getting candy.

K: Always fun.

H: Do you have a favorite cousin?

1: Yep. Madeline.

K: What about Maxi Taxi?

1: Maxi Taxi too!

H: Did you like going to PA?

1: What's PA?

K: Pinos Altos. Where you you went with Aunt Cynthia?

1: (silence)

K: Are you there?

1: Yes.

H: Momma's interviewing you. (silence) Did she answer?

K: No.

H: Did you have fun?

1: We just took pictures.

K: Fun stuff. Thank you for your time. This has been a lovely interview. Over and out.

H: 10 4 Good Buddy.

1: Momma, now I want to interview you.

K: Okay. Ask me questions.

1: What's your favorite color?

K: Hmmm. Today it's blue.?

1: What's your favorite candy?

K: I really like Heath bars. I like how they have chocolate on the outside.

1: NO! Who's your favorite KID?

K: Oh, I don't have a favorite kid.

1: You're supposed to say “all of them”

K: Oh. Good to know.  Next question?

1: What's your favorite animal?

K: Well I know what my least favorite is. Do you want to know?

1: (Indecipherable or is it undecipherable...) Mouth full of food.

K: My least favorite animal is any kind of snake. YUCKY!!

1: We are done.

K: Thanks, that was fun.

1: Now you get to color a picture.

K: No thank you. I don't want to vomit.

1: Oh.

Writing this has made me want to plan another freakishly long road trip.  Maybe time does heal all wounds.  You know, like the way you forget the hell that is childbirth.  Maybe the same principle applys to car trips.

Hmm....

Over and out.

Kristen

Enjoy the ride!

 I've been thinking about life and the way we go through it.  You know, the way our attitude affects things.  Sometimes we're stuck in a car and we're tired and hungry and just bored, metaphorically speaking of course.  So in this car called life we have a few choices.  We can scream and cry and complain when the driver won't stop the car.  Hi #4, you have a set of lungs.

Hmm... the screaming didn't help now, did it?  So what are our options?  I guess you can just get through it, trying to stay as unaffected as possible.  You know just doing the basics, skimming through life.  I've actually been there before, sometimes it's all you can do just to survive.  I'll probably be there again but it's not my favorite way to live.  Hi #1, sorry about the screaming.  He'll go to sleep soon.  I hope.

Next option, you take advantage of the situation.  The car isn't stopping anytime soon (5 states, 9 days, 3000 miles), you can't get out of your seat and you get carsick if you try to read a book so just relax.  Hi #3, I like your blanket.  

Another option, just have fun.  Life is full of things out of your control, things that you just can't change so make the most of it.  Enjoy yourself and laugh.  Or smile your cheesy smile, hi #2.

Have a good time in this car ride called life!


Love you guys!

Kristen

ps- I ain't no philosopher, I just wanted to show you a picture of the screamer.