Boys' Week

Maddie has been at Gramma and Granddad's and Mama has been home with all the guys. Here is what we've been up to:

• Will had a friend over
• We went to the sprinkler park
• The boys play with Legos everyday
• We had plenty of quiet time with library books
• And we read together, too
• The boys had a living room campout
• All five of us had movie night at home
• I took the boys for story time at the library
• I took the boys to a magic show at the library
• The boys had guys'night with Daddy (IHOP and Orange Leaf)
• The boys did the kids classes at the YMCA -- kids in motion and yoga
• All three enjoyed Mario Kart, Star Wars, and Batman on Wii
• The boys and I went to a MOPS playdate and swam in the mud lake and had a picnic

Tomorrow I take the boys to my parents to join their sister. They are already looking forward to time with grandparents, and Jon really misses Maddie.

A Night at the Zoo

Allen and Will got to spend a night at the zoo with the scouts. Will has been looking forward to this "campout" all summer, and both he and his dad had a great time. They got to the zoo around 6:30, after the zoo had closed to the public. While it was still hot outside, they listened to a zookeeper talk about reptiles, then they got to touch and hold some. Will was so excited to tell me that they got to feed the giraffes -- evidently it feels a bit like feeding a horse, except the giraffes were really slobbery. After a late night, the kids slept in the classroom, and got a tour of the zoo before it opened to the public.

Like Father, Like Son

This photo was taken in 1985, so Allen was about six in this picture (taken at his Uncle Scott's wedding).

This is a picture of Ben, age four, taken the day I found the picture of Allen.

I am not saying they would pass as twins, just that Ben still favors his Daddy... just like he has since he was about a year old. When we showed the picture (of Allen and family) to the kids they all thought that Ben and Jon were the kids in the picture, and we struggled to convince them that the little boys were actually Daddy and Uncle Jason.

4th of July - Family pictures

Every year on the Fourth of July, our family poses in the same way for a picture -- first with all six of us, then just the kids, and usually we get one with Nana and Papa, too. I figure we have a few more years of Jon sitting on my knee, but eventually, we will need to figure something else out. Look how we've all changed through the years (2011 is on top, then 2010, 2009, and 2008).

 Kids photos, from left to right, Jon, Ben, Will, Maddie.

Summer Road Trip - Fourth Stop: Santa Fe

After we arrived in Santa Fe, we unloaded the car, and it wasn't long before Grandpa Ruffy was ready to start the kids hiking. The first hike was just to get them used to the elevation, and we walked out the door of the house, up a slight (but rocky) incline, and took pictures of the kids holding flags. All four kiddos were excited to be on top of a big mountain because they were able to see so much.

That evening, Allen, the kids, and I sat together on the porch and watched the sun set over Santa Fe. After the kids were in bed, Allen caught a great photo from the same spot; with the sky clear, the wildfires were much easier to see.

Wednesday morning, all of us went for a bigger hike -- this time we walked from the house, down the mountain to the bottom, then back up again. All the guys decided to skip the road for a bit and worked their way down the the side of a steep hill. Maddie, Grammie, and I took the longer, but easier, route on the road.

The boys (and men) decided to explore a bit, and the gals decided to start the long walk back to the top. Maddie was excited to be walking with Grammie, and I just about bit my tongue in embarrassment as she rushed up the hill a few feet, turned around, then asked, "Grammie, are you always slow or just when you're with me." It turned out, we were able to ask Maddie the same question as she was the one who ran out of steam most quickly. I love this picture of Maddie walking with her great-grandma up the mountain -- it was after she made peace with Grammie's steady pace.

We were a little blue that plans had to change a bit. We had hoped to take the family to see Bandolier or the Santa Fe Ski Basin, but both were closed because of the wildfires. However, we still found things to keep us busy.That afternoon Allen and I took the kids to the Santa Fe Children's Museum, it was half inside and half out -- different from other children's museums we've seen. They had a face-painting station and we painted faces. I helped Jon draw a cat face, then he touched it up. Will drew his own lion face, Allen drew a dinosaur for Ben, and I made a clown face for Maddie. We stopped on the way home to find a few letterboxes at a park. 

Wednesday evening was one of my favorite events of our trip. Allen's grandparents kept the kids and treated us to tickets to the Santa Fe Opera. Allen and I dressed up and went out for dinner before the show. Meanwhile, Uncle Robert and Aunt Barbara showed up at the house and entertained the kids for awhile. According to Grammie, things were nice and calm till they arrived unexpected :) Everyone were survived and Grammie even said they'd be willing to try it again sometime. Allen and I got to the opera early enough to catch the preshow lecture. We are such nerds that when we saw that a discussion was offered, I don't even remember discussing whether or not we would go, I just assumed we would. I am glad we did get a run down of the storyline, because the opera, Faust, was in French -- completely! And the only French I know (and I'm quoting Will on this) "is ooh-la-la." The outside show began late, in my terms. It was 9pm in a different time zone, so it felt like 10pm to me (aka: bed time). The show lasted until 12:30am (1:30am my time,) and I know I had my eyes closed for a few minutes of it. But, for all the parts I saw, I loved it. I was glad to have the English titles digitally printed on the seat in front of me, but the lecture meant I understood enough about what was going on to not have to follow the words constantly. Part of Faust is set in hell, and the neat part was on one side of the stage, the moon was bright red from wildfire smoke. On the other side, the fires were lighting the clouds and the sky was burning. Talk about setting the mood! We got back home late, but everyone let us sleep late the next morning.

Thursday, Grammie went with us to a living history museum called El Rancho de las Golondrinas. We ran out of energy and got to hot long before we saw all of the 200 acre ranch, but we enjoyed learning about early ranch life and seeing historic buildings (some dating back to the early 1700s.) There were a few docents there when we visited and we got to taste some freshly baked bread, talk to a man about tin jewelry, pat a goat on the head, and talk with a "teacher" in the one-room school house. The kids had so much fun in the school, and the lady playing the teacher was so patient with them. They each sat in a school desk and drew on the slates. Will was full of questions about what the kids back then learned, what the school rules were, what happened if someone fell from a tree (back when a broken arm without medical care could eventually lead to death,) and what the chores and lessons were for a seven year old way back when. Since we only saw about 20% of the ranch, I hope to go back sometime when its a bit cooler so we can see the rest of it. We all had fun exploring and learning, but the sun wore us out.

While the kids rested or played with Tinkertoys and Lincoln Logs, I spent some time that afternoon and evening (and a few other times) taking pictures of wildlife around Grammie and Ruffy's home. I never went more than a few steps from the patio, but I was amazed at the variety of life I was able to capture with my camera. I was frustrated that I never got a good picture of the scrub jay, but at least it alerted me that a bobcat was coming. Just like the Eastern Bluebirds in our backyard at home, the Western Bluebirds enchanted me. I was fascinated that the colors were so different (compared to Eastern). The "blue" of the Western Bluebird is a deep indigo and almost eggplant purple. They are beautiful! Watching for birds was a great way for me to escape the loudness of the kids, so I found a few minutes each day to spend alone outside.

Friday morning, Allen took all the kids on another mountain hike -- all the way down again, but this time, they all stayed on the road. It took them about 50 minutes to walk the 2 miles, but that's not bad considering the second half was all uphill. The kids played inside the rest of the morning -- still enjoying the Lincoln Logs.

That afternoon, Grandpa Ruffy had a special closing ceremony planned for our family. He invited Uncle Robert and Aunt Barbara to come, and after the kids' naps, we all gathered in the living room for the Native American-inspired powwow. None of us knew what to expect, but he got our curiosity up when he lit candles, spread the Indian blankets, and propped up some American flags. When we started, Ruffy was in his office and we heard the thump-thump-thump-thump of a drum. When he emerged, he had a couple of feathers stuck in his cap. He sat on the couch and solemnly explained that the tribe had come together to induct some new braves in the WalkiVail tribe. He blew "ashes of our ancestors" (flour) toward all four winds (N,S,E,W) and had us all sing out the war cry, "Whoop! Whoop!" I struggled to keep my face as serious as Ruffy was, but Barbara and I were nearly crying trying to contain our giggles. Each of the kids was called forward to take an oath (on a display frame of arrow heads) and they were each given a new name. Just when we thought it was over, Allen was called forward to also be inducted... then I was... then Grammie. Each of us was given a fitted band with a perky feather at the back.

Each of us was given a framed certificate and a picture from the top of Vail mountain. Here is what was on the certificates, which were each "notarized" by Grammie and stamped with Ruffy's professional engineer stamp:

Certificate of Nobility

Know all men by these presents that whereas (insert each of our real names) has shown to be of noble and good character and by scaling the rugged 7,540 foot high Vail Peak has proven to be of stout heart and strong limb. Now therefore by the powers vested with me I hereby adopt, grant and declare him to be a member of the WAKIVAIL INDIAN TRIBE

With all the duties and priviledes associated therewith. Henceforth in all tribal matters he shall have the title and name (insert each of our Wakivail names)

E mas toro exreta ad infinitem

Certified: Grandma Squaw (Grammie's signature and seal) and By Chief Medicine Man (Ruffy's signature and seal)

Are you wondering what our new names are? Will is Warrior Thunder Cloud, Ben is Brave Soaring Eagle, Maddie is Princess White Sunshine, Jon is Scout Running Horse, Allen is Medicine Man Petro, and I am Princess Morning Flower. I expect that Ruffy will call each of us by these names for a long time -- at least the kids :)