Fall Break - What break?

So we headed to the Rim for a few days camping. . . I really needed a break! Of course I worked like a dog to get ready to leave, hauled our trailer up to the mountains and we had a wonderful time. We enjoyed the cool fall weather (it even dipped to freezing the last night!) We took a couple of neat hikes, one to a mountain lake and the other to a mountain sink hole. I only had to carry the twins for part of the way on each hike (yeah me. . . 45lbs of added weight!) We found a very cool abandoned "fort" that the kids really enjoyed -- it was adorable, right down to the mason jar with wild flowers in it! We played lots of games, ate way too much food and we saw several deer too! Here's a few pictures of a very memorable time.







So now we're back, I've done 14 loads of laundry, cleaned for hours and the break is all but a memory! I guess that's what family vacations are for. . . the memories!

Luck Has EVERYTHING To Do With It

And I am one lucky girl! I have a great friend and owner of the best discount hobby site anywhere (Just4FunCrafts) and for my birthday she made me this cute little scrapbook! I say little, but it weighs nearly a pound. . . It's made with covered chip board and has all kinds of tags, pocket and cool, fun stuff. . . she actually used sand that she sneakily asked me to bring her back from my Laguna Beach vacation. . . this is just so amazing I really can't believe it!!! So, yes, I am lucky, very, very lucky! Thanks Jen!

Wish We All Could Be California Kids!

Just back from our Laguna Beach Vacation! What a trip! We had such a good time exploring the tide pools, played with crabs, found all sorts of interesting wild-life there! I've got many incredible pictures. Missed a great picture while Mikensee was riding the waves. Dolphins were swimming and jumping maybe 20 feet from her. She missed the entire thing due to the waves in her view! I couldn't get my camera out fast enough! I did get some photos of the dolphins, but not clear enough other than to identify that they are dolphins. We enjoyed hanging at the beach, digging in the sand, exploring, eating (of course!) and just having a really good time. . . I do wish we could be California kids! (only on vacation of course!)