Sedona Escape

Although we should be used to it by now, the summer heat is getting to us. Being cooped up with the boys on the weekends is tough! So, yesterday we escaped to Sedona for some cooling off fun. It's a bit of a trek, but it was worth it to see the boys running, skipping, splashing, playing in mud like little boys should! I was even given a nice red mud bath. We planned to go to Red Rock State Park, but when we go there, found out that they are a conservation park, and playing in the creek is not permitted. They sent us down a dirt road (with unbelievable views) to Red Rock Crossing . I would definitely go back.

First Day of School

The boys started school yesterday. Quinn caught the bus at 7:30. Richard took Kip and I took Reid. It was sad to see Quinn's little face watching us out the window as the bus drove off. He's been riding the bus for 2 years, but he's always had Reid with him. It's a very odd feeling to know that the house will be empty between 9 and 3 each day. I think I feel a bit like someone who has just begun retirement. There is so much that I want to do, but I am a bit paralyzed by the emptiness of the day. Hopefully I'll shake it off by next week and get busy.

New Mexico in July

After giving ourselves a few days to recover from our trip to San Diego, it was off to New Mexico. Kip and I took Lynn and Ken as they wanted to see some different parts of the Southwest. We drove to Santa Fe via the Turquoise Trail and Madrid (an old mining town).


While in Santa Fe, we visited the Plaza, took a trolley tour, ate spicy green and red chili, bought art, dodged the monsoon rains and taught Kip how to drink beer like the locals (local root beer, that is).



After we left Santa Fe, we drove back to Albuquerque with a stop at El Rancho de las Golandrinas: http://www.golondrinas.org/ It was an interesting place. The theme of the weekend was the meeting between the Spanish and the Native Americans.



We took the Sandia Peak tramway, which is purported to be the longest aerial tram in the world. It was sweaty feet and palms on the way up, because it was SUCH a long way down. But it was worth it. At the top, we took a "nature hike" with Kip who then took a little test and earned his Sandia Peak Junior Ranger badge.



We had lunch in Albuquerque's Old Town (more chili for me and Ken) and then visited the American International Rattlesnake Museum. I had NO idea there were so many types, shapes, sizes and colors of rattlesnakes. And they were all so lively! It was absolutely pouring with rain when we emerged and it was a long run back to the car dodging Native American sellers, wide-eyed tourists and puddles as deep as my knees.

During a sunny moment, Kip posed with a large Kachina doll. Around his neck is his new fetish pouch. Inside is his Zuni fetish, "the eagle" or "the protector". He takes such good care of his brothers, we thought it appropriate.

San Diego in July

We had a great time in San Diego in July. Our first day was spent at the San Diego Zoo. All of the boys really dug the polar bear. I especially love this photo of Reid communing with the bear.

The sky ride was also a favorite. I took Reid and Quinn 3 times across the zoo while the rest of the gang watched the Grizzly Bear being fed. I have to say, that I loved the peace and quiet as well as the cool breeze, so the repetitive riding was as much for me as it was for them.


At Sea World, I couldn't convince anyone to ride Shipwreck Rapids with me, so I took Reid and Quinn who really didn't understand what they were getting themselves into. We all got drenched! I had a blast. Quinn then braved the Journey to Atlantis ride, which also soaked us. Luckily, we had a front of the pass line so we got to bypass the more than an hour wait.

July is Travel Month

I feel as though we haven't stopped traveling long enough to catch our breath this month. First it was off to our annual regatta at Huntington Lake. We stayed for a week this year, which was great. We really had the chance to do some fun stuff aside from just scrambling to get on and off the water. The boys all loved hiking and hanging out at the lake.





Kip, Quinn, Lynn and I went horseback riding one morning.

Minnesota Twins?!

The Never-Ending Birthday

We had a small birthday party for Reid and Quinn today. It was a last minute do. A couple of the kids in their summer school were such wonderful friends that we decided it would be fun to party with them.

More Photos of Our Beautiful Birthday Boys (and Their Brother)

Let Them Eat Cake (and Open Presents)

This year, I think Reid and Quinn really understood that it was their birthday. It helped that they wore "It's My Birthday" shirts all day so that everyone wished them a Happy Birthday. We all pitched in to bake a cake (well, by all, I mean me and the little boys-my big boy, Richard, doesn't bake). Quinn barely slept that night, so none of the rest of us slept much either. Too much excitement. Too much cake. It was, however, a very good day for Reid and Quinn.

Reid and Quinn Celebrate Their 5th Birthday

Reid was chosen to write the date on the board today in class. He wrote Thursday June 21 all by himself. The class sang Happy Birthday to Reid first, then Quinn. Reid's smile about split his face in half. Quinn's song was much louder and less tuneful. He was smiling, but a bit uncomfortably. We shared cupcakes with about 40 classmates and then played musical chairs. Kimberly made their shirts, which have their names on the front and "It's My Birthday" on the back.