Howard Trio Plus One: 4th of July Weekend

For 4th of July weekend we drove up to Monte Vista, CO to visit Micah's parents. Originally we were going to stay home for the weekend, but since Micah came home a couple of days early from AK and we had already spent a weekend at home with the family, we decided it would be more fun to travel. I had not left ABQ for more than a day trip since January, so I was particularly excited to leave town.

We weren't sure how the kids would do in the car as the last time we attempted a two hour drive to a climbing area they cried almost the entire way there and back, but this time we were prepared with the movie "Cars" and a sing-a-long show on the iPad. We left around 8:30 in the morning on Friday and we started the drive without the iPad on, but we only made it about 45 minutes before the non-stop whining and crying started, so we turned on a show and for the most part it helped. We made our customary stop in Ojo Caliente, which is a hot springs resort and spa halfway between ABQ and MV, and the kids really enjoyed running around outside. The second half of the drive went much better, although Alexis fell asleep for about 20 minutes at the end, which meant she didn't take an afternoon nap.

The weekend was spent playing inside and outside at Grammy and Grandpa's house, going out to dinner, going to a local park twice, watching a small town parade, and going to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The kids loved having free rein of their grandparents' house since they don't usually have that luxury at home. They also had a great time playing in the water at the sand dunes, so we will have to make that an annual event. The drive back to ABQ went better than expected as we didn't have to stop at all during the four hour drive, although I'm sure the fact that the iPad was on for almost the entire drive helped.

Here are some photos from the fun weekend:

Lexi and Faith at Ojo Caliente

Ojo Caliente

Running through the paths at Ojo Caliente. Although the kids were tempted the yell and scream as they ran around, luckily they were mostly quiet as this is the kind of resort where everyone walks around quietly wearing robes, so the last thing they expect is three rambunctious two-year-olds.

Jack is obsessed with guitars right now and Grammy was able to borrow this from his cousins last time she was at their house. Jack was thrilled with this toy all weekend!

Jack and Faith at the park

Faith is a natural rock climber

Faith, Jack, Alexis at the park

Our three zombies watching TV with Daddy in the morning. They don't get to watch TV first thing in the morning at home, so this was extra special.

Jack and Grandpa on the stairs in the side yard

Lexi ringing the bell in the garden

These horses and the firetrucks were the most exciting parts of the parade in Alamosa. I was sure there would be at least one band, but sadly I was wrong. Oh well, at least the kids were entertained.

Parade watchers

Faith and Lexi on the 4th of July

We turned the sprinkler on and the girls weren't as thrilled with it as Jack. Here is Lexi running away from the spray.

Faith got pretty upset every time she got wet from the sprinkler. She just doesn't enjoy being messy or partially wet.

Jack loved every minute of the sprinkler

Lexi going down the big slide at the park

Lexi and Faith climbing up to the big slide. Jack only went down a couple of times and it took a lot of convincing, but the girls loved the tall slide!

We had to repeat the photo that we took last time we visited Monte Vista in September (see below). They definitely have grown!

9/26/14: Last time we were at Micah's parents' house we took a pic of the kids in the 20 gallon crock. They still looked like babies 9 months ago!

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Lexi

Playing in the water with the sand dunes in the background

In some areas of the creek there were strong currents and Lexi actually got knocked over by this one that Jack is playing in, as she walked through it without holding on to anyone's hand. It was a little scary as she was flipped over by the water several times, but luckily I was able to grab her really quickly.