Labor Day Weekend in Monte Vista

It seems that we are starting a new tradition as this is the second year in a row that we spent Labor Day weekend in Monte Vista visiting Micah's parents. We were a little worried about the four hour car ride as when we traveled to Monte Vista for 4th of July weekend the kids refused to sleep, even though we drove during their regular nap time, and they weren't completely entertained with watching shows on the iPad. But we were happily surprised with how well the kids did on the drive this time!

We decided to leave on Friday after an early dinner so that we didn't have to stop to eat. Although we like to give the kids a chance to run around, sometimes it's hard to convince them to get back in their car seats and there aren't many good places to stop and play. This strategy ended up working great as the kids all had good naps before we left so they weren't hungry, and they were content watching shows on the iPad. Whenever someone did start to get antsy I gave them various snacks and toys which helped them get through the four hour drive. The most amazing part was that they could actually ask for snacks and toys by name, which helped me know what would make them happy! Hooray for growing vocabularies!

We ended up arriving in Monte Vista around 9:45 p.m., which is way past the kids' bedtime, so after a little bit of running around Grammy and Grandpa's house, they went down to bed quite easily and everyone slept well.

The first thing the kids did when we arrived on Friday night was sit at the piano. This trip the kids spent A LOT of time "playing" the piano.

2014 Labor Day Weekend Pic...they could barely reach the piano keys!

On Saturday morning we hung out at Grammy and Grandpa's and played outside for a bit, and after awhile Jack noticed Grandpa's Willys Jeep in the garage. Jack loves to sit in the driver's seat of a car and pretend to drive so he was so excited to do this in the Jeep. There is a dirt lot in front of Grammy and Grandpa's house so we all sat in the Jeep and drove in circles, which the kids thought was great as they are never in a car without their car seats let alone without a roof and doors! They then took turns sitting in the driver's seat, pushing buttons, and buckling seat belts.

Jack "driving"

Faith posing in the driver's seat

The Jeep

Faith and Lexi

One thing I enjoy doing when I come to Monte Vista is looking for kids' clothes at the local thrift stores as I can find some good quality items at great prices. This time we all walked down to the stores with the kids in the wagon, and then stopped at a park to play, which is always a hit. After the kids' nap it was a little rainy so we weren't able to do much, but after dinner when it was no longer raining we set up the slack line, started a bonfire, and played outside for a bit.

Riding in the wagon this year

2014 Labor Day Weekend in the wagon. There was a bit more room last year!

Lexi using a light as a microphone. All of our kids love music!

Lexi, Grandpa, and Faith by the bonfire

Jack practicing his slack line skills. He did not want to take turns with anyone, not even Daddy, and he cried whenever he wasn't walking on it.

Micah is getting a little better at the slack line too

On Sunday morning Micah and Grandpa took Jack on a hike. They drove for about an hour to a trailhead and hiked for almost four hours. Of course Jack mostly rode in the hiking backpack, but he did get out to walk for a few minutes. Micah said he did great the entire car ride there and back, and during the hike. He didn't cry, whine, or complain even once!

Jack following Grandpa down the trail

Since the guys were out hiking on Sunday, the rest of us had a girls' day. Grammy and I took the girls to the park and then we went to church. Although we were hopeful that the girls would be quiet and content during the service, Lexi struggled a little so we ended up bringing them to the nursery during the sermon with a few other kids but they didn't seem to mind the unfamiliar setting or people at all.

Lexi and Faith going down the very tall but very slow slide at the park 

Lexi

We played outside before dinner and then we took the kids to a park after dinner. The great thing about having 2-year-olds is that they really don't seem to care what they are doing as long as they are doing something!

Everyone seems to like to sit on our laps more these days, which is nice. This actually wasn't a pose...we were just hanging out like this enjoying each other's company while Grammy and Grandpa made dinner.

The girls really enjoyed digging in the dirt

On Monday morning we left Monte Vista at 8:30 a.m. and  drove two hours to El Rito, NM to meet our friends, the Turners, at a climbing area. I was super skeptical about how our kids would do since they aren't always the best at obeying, and there are a lot of dangers at climbing areas, but they surprised us and they did great! We were at the crag for FIVE HOURS, which meant they didn't get an afternoon nap, but overall all three were very content. They ate a lot of snacks, played a bit with some toys we brought, climbed on a fallen tree trunk, interacted a little with the Turner kids, and watched part of "Cars" on the iPad. The adults took turns climbing and watching kids, so there were always two adults watching the six kids, and we all got in three (long!) routes. Definitely a successful climbing day with kids in tow!

The kids with their backpacks on and shovels in hand, ready for the five minute hike to the crag

The girls entertaining baby Griffin for a few minutes

Watching "Cars" with Daddy while Mommy climbs

Downed trees are fun

Me on the wall

The two hour drive home was a little rough as they all slept for only 5-25 minutes once we got in the car, which was not enough after such a big day, so everyone was a bit overtired and ready to be home. But Micah and I feel very excited that we might actually get some real family climbing days in the near future! This is life changing for us!