Road Trip to Monte Vista

Last weekend we drove to Monte Vista, CO to visit Micah's parents for the weekend. Although the drive is only four hours we hadn't been there since last November, so this was only the second time driving there since our babes were born. Of course we have seen Micah's parents numerous times as they make frequent trips to ABQ, but it was definitely our turn to go their way (plus there is a good climbing area nearby that Micah wanted to go to). 

Micah had Friday off so we left our house at 6:45 a.m. We woke the babes up a little earlier than usual, fed them a bottle, and hit the road. Usually we feed them breakfast and then do a bottle right before their morning nap, but I thought the bottle might help them relax for awhile in the car and I was right! All three babes did great for the first two hour segment as they all slept a little and spent some time playing with toys and looking out the window. We stopped at the mineral hot springs resort in Ojo Caliente since there aren't many options between ABQ and Monte Vista and the resort had a restaurant. Luckily our babes were really well behaved so those that were there for the tranquil atmosphere were not disturbed by us (although I held my breath every time people walked by in bathrobes on their way to the pool!). We packed a PBJ and fruit breakfast for the babes and ordered ourselves breakfast from the restaurant. There were some little trails right outside the restaurant near the parking lot so we set up a spot for ourselves, fed the babes, fed ourselves, and let the babes roam to burn some energy. We then fed them bottles and got back in the car after stopping for 1.5 hours. This was perfect as it was now nap time and the babes all slept for part of the second half of our trip.

Eating breakfast in Ojo Caliente. F,A, J

We set out the quilt and some toys to play with, but of course it was a lot more fun to put rocks in their mouths and put their hands in the dirt.

Bottles before getting back in the car

When we got to Micah's parents' house the babes were ready to run wild! They explored and tore things off the shelves. We quickly figured out what had to be baby proofed! Their house has one step up all around the living room area so it was a bit challenging to monitor all three babes at once since they aren't used to stairs, but we soon figured out that we could create a makeshift playpen out of furniture and that was a lifesaver the rest of our stay.

Lexi found a great spot to play: an antique crock!

After lunch we spent some time playing outside to tire out the babes a bit more before their afternoon nap. Micah's parents gave up their room for the girls to sleep in, they slept in the bonus room upstairs, Jack slept in a large walk-in closet, and Micah and I slept in the guest room (Faith slept in the guest room at nap time). It was great having so much space to spread out!

Jack

Micah pulling the babes in the wagon that his parents had when he was a kid!

L to R: A, F, J

Micah's dad put up a slackline in the yard and Jack wanted to try it too!

After dinner we walked down the street to a park and everyone enjoyed riding in the swings. It was a bit colder in Monte Vista than ABQ, though, so we didn't last long. It's time to buy warmer clothes now that the season is changing!

Grandpa and Grammy pushing the babes in the swings. A, F, and J (behind F).

On Saturday morning Micah and I went to Penitente Canyon, which is a climbing area that is only 30 minutes from Monte Vista. We met up with some friends and had a great day of climbing while Micah's parents took care of the babes. It was fun to get out, but the best part of being away is always the babes' reactions when we return. When we walked in the house everyone started screaming and squealing in delight, which doesn't happen to me on a daily basis since they see me all of the time. They had a great day with Grammy and Grandpa, though, and we are so thankful for the time away.

Bath time in Grammy's tub! A, F, J

On Sunday Micah and his dad went to Penitente Canyon while Karen and I stayed back with the babes. Between the babes' naps, though, Karen and I drove to the canyon and hiked in with the babes to say "hi" to our friends and see everyone. By this time Micah and his dad were done climbing for the day so we just hung out for a bit and then headed back home for the afternoon nap. Micah and I took advantage of having his parents around again and walked down the street for ice cream (without kids!). It's funny how you really appreciate being able to leave the house more once you have kids.

Breakfast at Grammy's and Grandpa's

Micah's dad met us at the parking lot and helped us carry the babes into the canyon. He carried Alexis, I had Faith, and Karen had Jack.

Way to go Grammy!

Hanging out at the campsite where our friends were staying, although they didn't last in the Go Pods long since they wanted to walk around. F, J, A

That evening we let the babes roam free in the house as we had been keeping them in a contained area to keep them off the steps, and they had so much fun! There are actually multiple steps around the house to climb up and down and so many other things to explore! 

Grandpa making sure Jack and Alexis didn't hit their heads while navigating the step

Exploring the house!

For the drive home we went with the same strategy and left Monte Vista at 6:45 a.m. This time we stopped in Espanola for breakfast and then went to a nearby park to eat. Espanola is a little sketchy so we felt a little less comfortable eating there, plus the park was covered in litter which made watching the babes difficult as I'd much rather they eat dirt and bugs as they did in Ojo Caliente. Overall the babes did great with the return trip.

Micah trying to keep three babes from ingesting litter at the park

Although traveling with three 14-month-olds is certainly not easy as they can't entertain themselves in the car and they just want to be moving when they are awake, four hours is doable and we look forward to driving back to Monte Vista in the future!