Labor Day Weekend in Ruidoso

We left West Texas in search of some cooler weather and we definitely found it in Ruidoso. It rained nearly the whole time we were there! Our first night camping, there was a huge thunderstorm and rain beat on our tent all night long :) It was so beautiful!!! Luckily Annabelle wasn't frightened at all! She slept right through it!

We were able to go for a short hike by our campsite between rainstorms the next day. Everything was so fresh and green! It definitely filled my soul with what it's been longing for :) Annabelle has gotten too big for her carrier so she preferred Daddy's shoulders :)

On the last day we were there we decided to attempt climbing Sierra Blanca, the highest peak in Ruidoso. That's the peak in back of us in the above picture. To get to the trail head, we had to drive up steep mountains until we got to the ski resort. We left early to get a good start but were soon wondering if that was a good idea. As we kept climbing higher into the clouds, the clouds got thicker and the temperature got very cold! But then all of the sudden, we broke through the clouds and sunlight filled the car!! We had climbed higher than the rain clouds!!! The weather was absolutely gorgeous up there and we enjoyed a beautiful hike in the morning sunshine :)

We didn't make it to the top but we definitely enjoyed the views along the way!

Looks like we took this out an airplane window, huh!

This was at an overlook on our way back down the mountain. I couldn't help but think of all the people down under the clouds who were missing out on all the great sunshine we were enjoying. Then, I could help but liken it to the gospel. So many people go through life not knowing that if they just climbed a little higher, searched a little farther, opened their hearts just a little more, the light of the gospel would filled their souls so fully that they would never want to descend back into the clouds of darkness again. Unfortunately, we had to go back down the mountain and head back home to the dry heat. But we know where to come back :)

Cloudcroft!

The record breaking heat has really been getting to Shanam, so we hit the road again with only one destination in mind...the mountains :) Thank goodness the national forest at Cloudcroft was open again and we only had to drive a few hours to get there! Our good friends Laura and Kurt came with us and we had a ton of fun! Annabelle especially loved the extra attention :)

We enjoyed a couple nights at our cool campsite staying warm by the fire, eating pasta salad and salmon, loving some great homemade chocolate zucchini bread and green smoothies, and laughing at the dogs :)

In the morning we hit the trail and enjoyed a gorgeous hike along the rim trail. Annabelle slept through most of it :)

We hiked up to the lookout point where Laura and I had hiked last July when I was 5 months pregnant :) We're determined to get a picture here every year!

The next day we decided to enjoy the gorgeous golf course. Annabelle especially loved taking the wheel!

Before we left, we went for a little drive and discovered this beautiful waterfall! We hiked up to the top and found the source of the water to be a natural spring coming out of the rocks! It was so beautiful! (In the picture, I'm tickling Annabelle's back with my mouth, that's why she looks so funny :) We had such a wonderful trip, just like we always do!

Florida!!!

Last Monday we left for our long awaited adventure to Florida! We couldn't wait to see family and friends and make wonderful memories at the "happiest place on earth!"

We stayed at Shanam's grandma's house for the week and Annabelle made sure to get in her pool at least once a day :) Her Aunt Elana got the brunt of the splashing, but I think she enjoyed it :) Our week was filled with fun!!!

THE BEACH!!!

We made sure to visit the same beach where the magic all began, Siesta Key Beach! That day we watched as our beautiful little girl sat and played in the same fine white sand we stood in three years ago where we shared our first kiss at sunset :) It's amazing how much can happen in such a short period of time!

Annabelle loved playing in the sand and water!

On another day we went to Anna Maria Island to enjoy the sunset and beautiful weather. We hadn't planned on going in the water, but the water was way too perfect to not let Annabelle sit and enjoy it :)

WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!

My wonderful friends and fellow interns at the greenhouses were so kind to let us into the parks for a day! We spent a wonderful time visiting with our former manager and admiring the greenhouses that we all missed so much :)

Then it was off to Magic Kingdom!!

Doesn't Annabelle look so excited to be there?! Haha!

I had to make sure to get on a few roller coasters :)

Annabelle rode her first ride, It's a Small World! GranEllen had always dreamed of the day when she could take her grandchildren on this ride, so we made sure Annabelle sat on her lap through the whole thing :) Instead of sit, though, I should say stand and flap! She loved it :)

FOOD!!!

We actually changed our flight to leave a day earlier than we had planned. On Sunday, his Grandma told him about this restaurant that had a lobster special on Tuesday nights, Shanam was on the phone to Southwest right away! I'm glad he did it because that lobster was SO GOOD!!

For his Aunt Carol's birthday we went to an Indian buffet for lunch. AMAZING!!

Then another day, we went to the harbor and had lunch on the water. Fresh grouper from Florida is the best!!!

Then, of course, we had to eat at Bahama Breeze :) I can't ever pass up the chance when I'm in Florida! Jennlyn met us there for lunch before we went to WDW. It was so great to see her and enjoy delicious fish tacos and coconut shrimp together :)

We really miss good food out here in West Texas and love to take full advantage of great restaurants when we travel! Our trip was exactly what we had wanted! Full of fun, sun, rain, family, friends, and food :) Thank you Grandma for letting us come stay with you! Hopefully next summer we can do the same thing all over again!! Love you!

Pagosa Springs, CO!!!

Day 1, Friday July 1, 2011

At 12 noon we had the car packed and we were outta there! No more 100 degree weather for us! We were off to the closest mountain range that wasn't closed...8 hours away. We were planning on going to Taos, New Mexico, but the day before we left they announced that the entire forest was closed, just like Ruidoso and Cloudcroft had announced 2 months prior. What's a mountain lovin family supposed to do?! Is an eight hour drive with a baby and two dogs worth it for just one weekend in the mountains?! Oh yeah, baby!!!!

Going from this......

To this :)

We greeted the cool air, rolling hills, 14 ft mountains, and green trees with joy and excitement as we finally arrived!! Just a short drive out of town into the San Juan National Forest and we found us a perfect little place to set up camp. After putting our tent up, we went back to PS and dined at the best rated and finest restaurant in town, The Alley House. Every single bite was incredible!

Day 2

We woke up bright and early, ready for the adventures ahead! Annabelle did great for her second camping trip ever :)

We enjoyed the brisk morning air as we we tried to figure out what hikes we were going to do first. The pups, meanwhile, were happy to frolic in the brush and run through the trees chasing each other. They were definitely ready for the adventures ahead!

We decided on the Piedre River Trail first. This is a gorgeous trail that follows the river right through amazing gorges, where cliffs rise up above you on both sides. So cool!!

Here's our cute little family enjoying our first pit stop.

Sophie was in absolute heaven! She was swimming and splashing all over the place, while Sasha on the other hand would get in to drink and never let the water go past her ankles. Silly dogs :)

This was our second pit stop in the shade. Shanam devised a way to let her hang in the carrier like a hammock so she could cool off and lay back and relax :)

A peek at the river

And now a full view :)

Sophie and Sasha beat us back to the car and what did we find when we got there? Sophie was lying under our car in the shade, while Sasha had decided to jump in the back of this guys trunk next to us!! Luckily he was a good sport about it, but boy was it hard to get her out of there!

Next stop was Piedre Falls, up the road a few miles. Annabelle slept through the entire hike so she didn't get to see it, but this was one powerful waterfall! The water was just gushing through the rocks! Afterward, we made our way back to town for some fish tacos then hung out at our camp site for the rest of the evening. Annabelle went to bed pretty early so that gave Shanam and I time to wander around the meadows for a little while, until the sun went down :)

Day 3
Bright and early again for another hike to another waterfall! This was a 6 mile round trip hike to Fourmile Falls. The trail was absolutely breathtaking! We were the only ones on it, too, since we had left so early!

Good morning, sunshine!

The trip would have been worth it if we had only come up for one day and had only done this one hike! That's how good this was!

Just look at this breathtaking, picture perfect sight! We were almost to the waterfall!

And here she is, in all her glory :)

With a rainbow, even!

Hello world!

Isn't this the cutest picture you ever did see?! Shanam and his girls :)

Ok, well maybe these are the cutest pictures :) After our hike we went back to town and had lunch on a river front cafe. Annabelle was definitely cheesin it up! Then, since she needed a nap, we decided to go for a drive and find where the local ski resort was. Along the drive, we passed a sign that said Lobo Overlook, so of course we had to go check it out! We climbed a very steep, windy road until we got to the very top. There was still snow covering the ground and road, so we had to get out and hike the rest of the way, but the view was spectacular!

The puppies, of course, enjoyed the snow :)

While driving, we also passed over the Continental Divide! I, of course, couldn't pass up the perfect picture opportunity :) Here I am, straddling The Great Divide :)

And there it goes, off into the forest :)

Day 4

Shanam woke up bright and early and hiked the tallest peak in Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Peak!

Aren't those views incredible! It was a steep 4 mile hike to the peak, sitting at 12,400 ft! He and the pups did the whole hike in 3 hours!

Just look at that stunning view!

I'm so glad he has the pups to go with him on his crazy adventures, when we're not there :)

We left that afternoon and enjoyed our nice 8 hour drive home. We were all exhausted and we barely even heard a peep from the pups in the back. Shanam definitely wore them out! It was a great adventure and I must have heard Shanam say he wanted to move there at least 20 times! The town is really pretty, too, and has a river that runs right through it that people inner tube and raft down. I'd be up for getting a nice little cabin there, for sure!

Memorial Day Weekend

Unfortunately, this year we were not able to spend the holiday together :( I got to go off to Utah with Annabelle to play with family for a week while Shanam had to stay behind and work. For the weekend, though, he was determined not to stay in the 106 degree West Texas heat. His original plan was to go to Cloudcroft and Ruidoso with the pups, like we always do when we want to escape the heat, but we found out the forests were closed!!! It's too dry there, too! So he had to go to the next closest mountain range...Taos, New Mexico. And what's in Taos, you ask? Well, none other than the tallest mountain in New Mexico, Wheeler Peak! He got to summit his first state high point of the year! Of course it doesn't really count towards our family count, but we'll go back soon so we can all do it together :) The pups had a great time frolicking in the snow bank on the side of the mountain while Shanam braved the 80 mph wind to get to the top! He could barely stand up, but he made it!!

While Shanam was battling the forces of nature above all of New Mexico, Annabelle, Ellen and I enjoyed a beautiful sun-shiny day in SLC, walking among beautiful flowering trees and meeting friends for lunch :) (So wonderful to see you, Amy!) The rest of the time we were there it was raining (so nice!!!), but we were happy to enjoy a few hours in the sun!

Our week in Utah was spent enjoying the company and love of family! One of the funniest nights was while playing LRC. My family can get pretty loud, and it scares Annabelle, so after I told them to shhh, the game took up a life of it's own. I think everyone was in tears by the end of the game because we were all laughing so hard!

It was so great to see everyone and we can't wait to go back!