Jaws

On Sunday, I regaled my children with a childhood trip to Universal Studios.

We were initially discussing superheroes, and how I wasn't really in love with any when I was growing up. I thought Superman was handsome, I said, but after learning how they made him fly at Universal Studios, I was less impressed. Meh.

Then I laughed. Because Jaws, too, was at Universal Studios. And I. Was. Terrified. I distinctly remember feeling utterly panic-stricken. And screaming. And apparently I leapt over all the other people in the boat to get to the middle and away from Jaws after he jumped up right next to me (I swear!!!).

Mom sent me the only pictures she has from this particular adventure, and really, I'm still surprised that she even has this much, given how I reacted.

I have always loved listening to my dad tell this story. His laugh makes my heart smile.

Sariah is sitting next to me right now, laughing at poor Jaws. She says that he looks surprised, not scary, and that his eyes are weird. She may have a point there. Her laugh makes my heart smile, too.

More Callaway

Callaway Gardens is free in February (and January, too, I think), so we hung out there yesterday as a family.  Lots of fun.  I know it's a lot of pictures, but we had so much fun, and I love my little ones so much.  **If you click on a picture, you can see it larger, and depending on your operating system, scroll through all of the picture in larger format.  I will also put on FB later this afternoon, so I can tag some of my kiddos.  :)

Who needs fancy dancy plastic weapons when you can use sticks for sword-fighting?

Caleb wasn't feeling cooperative.  Imagine that.

But Hannah was exceptionally cooperative.  :)

 

Hanging out with Virginia Hand Callaway, one of the founders of the Gardens.

Blurry, but she's so beautiful!!

Capulin

This summer we went on vacation to Colorado, and took a scenic route home.  Sort of.  Southeastern Colorado was a little ... monotonous, but then we made it to New Mexico and visited the famous Mount Capulin.

First, we took a picture.

Then we walked down into the crater.

Then, some of us went on a walk around the crater.Whew!  It was high up there, and some of couldn't breathe.  But we also saw flora

and more flora

and some fauna

and like a zillion million ladybugs.

Oh, and even some wild animals.

And Sariah officially became a Ladybug Explorer.

And don't forget the spectacular views!

From the top, you could see four states at once: Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma.  It was almost like the Four Corners.  Almost.  Okay, not really, but it was still pretty cool.  I have no idea if this is that view, but I like the picture, so there you have it.

Home Again

We are back home sweet home after a somewhat of a whirlwind vacation.  Spent 2 nights in Denver visiting friends and family, 2 nights up in the mountains for more family fun, and a scenic route back home with nights in New Mexico and Amarillo.

It's flippin' hot here!  I'd just as soon go back to the 70-degree mountain days.

But now we are back into the home-whirlwind mode, getting ready for school to start for the big kids and working on sleep training for the littles.  Oh so much fun!

As I always promise, pictures should be forthcoming.  Hugs to all!