For the 4th of July we threw caution to the wind (not really) and drove to New Mexico to see the Brunsons at Lance's parent's house in Ruidoso. It was Dixie's baby blessing weekend and we were all so excited to meet her!
Auntie Sharon loves you too!
Everyone was instantly in love!
Seth was in heaven to see that the house had stairs - what a luxury!
We arrived on the afternoon of Friday, July 3rd, and after holding Dixie, instantly got down to the fun. We took a walk/golf cart ride (for those of us too large to walk a mile) down the road to Lance's grandma's house. The kids thought the golf cart was pretty neat! Cora's buckled with Maddie and Blade (in the black) is buckled with one of his Brunson cousins.
Kelly's sister-in-law Megan had a dog, Wilson, that our girls were obsessed with. They walked him on the way there, chatting up Megan the whole time, but then got a ride back, holding that dog tight.
That afternoon we decorated hats and visors to the next day's festivities! The kids loved being able to put lots of glitter and stickers on theirs.
Trying out some new toys!
Again with the dog. I think he was very glad to see us leave on Sunday.
Seth found more stairs!
"Can I drive this time, Mom?"
"Blade and I will be very careful."
Final touches on the hats then we set them out to dry overnight.
How cute are these two sharing a table for dinner?
Cora fell and scrapped up the side of her nose, but was still in good spirits!
Halle got the hang of the....I don't even know what to call it....and loved it!
Both Friday and Saturday evenings, the menfolk played t-ball with the kids. Our kids, who had never been exposed to the whole sport before, were in heaven and now it's all their favorite sport.
The morning of Saturday the 4th the fight over Dixie began early.
And Grandpa had a surprise visitor for the kids! Stinky came all the way from Broomfield!
Eve was more interested in Wilson. Not so tight!
That morning we drove up a canyon trying to find some water to play in. The river was bone dry all the way up, until the very end of the road. It wasn't much (and it was super hot!) but it was enough for these kids!
Cora's timidity didn't last long.
Seth's a bit longer.
In addition to our kids and Kelly and Lance's, there were 4 other Brunson cousins too! Quite a group!
The kids played and played and played in that few inches of water. I was dying. Nowhere to sit!
But at least there were no serious mishaps or injuries!
Just lots of happy faces!
Seth wouldn't go in the water much, but liked exploring with Grandpa.
While Grandpa, Grandma, and I stayed put with Cora and Seth, the others walked upstream a bit. Andrew went along to supervise our kids. His feet/shoes were soaked, but they were happy.
Uncle Lance even helped them catch a tiny fish.
In someone's shirt.
They put it in a water bottle and brought it down to show us. Abigail was so excited!
When we got back to the house, we got our patriotic gear on cause it was time for our parade and show!
Get those hats out!
We love America!
Grandpa and Grandma do too.
All lined up and ready to go!
First the kids did a little parade around the driveway:
Then came the tribute to the armed forces, in honor of the Larsen boys. Dixie and I were excited to watch!
The kids each had a little line, intermixed with singing patriotic and military theme songs. It was really cute!
That afternoon, Reagan made cotton candy (choose your own flavor!) for all the kids.
Yum, yum!
Please don't ever leave us, Dixie!
Blade and I became good buddies too!
And Seth loved all the new toys. And so many places to hide from Mommy! So many stairs and exits to outside - too many to guard them all! Paradise for a little boy.
Look at that view!
That evening we had yummy steaks and then more time playing outside!
Another game of softball and this time Halle was brave enough to try. Two strikes, but then on her third attempt she whacked it so far! She was so proud of herself and has been asking to join a team since.
And sparklers to finish off the night!
The next morning was Sunday and Dixie's baby blessing. Seth was so filthy that I had to at least rinse him off a bit, but he hated this tub! Maybe the glass sliding doors freaked him out? I don't know what it was, but he fought and screamed to get out until I gave him a cup to play with. Calmed right down!
Andrew participated in Dixie's blessing.
What a group!
Lots and lots of girls :)
And a couple of boys....
We had a little Sacrament Meeting after the blessing and then it was time to head out. Abigail didn't want to say goodbye to Wilson!
Thanks, Dixie, for getting us all together! Happy blessing day!
Now we got to drive home to a super hot house. The a/c had gone out the night before we left for New Mexico so we knew it wouldn't be pleasant when we arrived. And the Brunsons were coming with us!
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