We spent our week with the Evans in Flagstaff near the end of July. It was our only vacation this summer so we loved the cooler weather and time together. Welllll, maybe I didn't LOVE my time with Tanner so much. I'm not sure what happened, but he was a PILL. It was like he started teething right then or something. He wasn't content at all. So fussy and whiny the entire time. Plus, he didn't sleep great. So we kept switching between having him sleep in the same room with us or upstairs in the loft closet. In the mornings he'd take a long nap, so I'd stay with him while everyone else went to the pool or the lake or what have you. I really wanted to get caught up on blogging so I was content to make headway there while he slept, but by Wednesday, I was getting tired of being on Tanner duty. And the lack of sleep was also getting to me. I forget which day exactly, but I almost went home. Travis seemed sad to have me gone though so I stayed and I'm really glad I did. Things got a lot better. Well, he was still fussy and hard, but Travis started staying with him more so I could do a few things.
On Tuesday we drove about 30 min. to do a hike. I was told it would be an easy hike. And yes, it wasn't steep or difficult, per se, but it was LONG. We ended up hiking for four hours. The kids were troopers. So was I. ;)
I carried Tanner in the sling on the way in, so Travis took some pictures with the camera! It was kind of nice to have him be in charge of it.
Collin and Neil were inseparable most of the week!
How funny is this warning! Couldn't help but think of The Office and Walk for Rabies episode, ha!
We crossed the river something like 15 times, each way. At first everyone was super careful to not get their feet wet. On the way back, it was sort of a lost cause.
Tanner started getting really cranky, so I turned him around and he fell asleep against me. I think this is the first time he's ever done that. I soaked up every second.
We finally made it to the end! Hurrah! We ate snacks, pilfered Marcus's jerky, walked barefoot in the stream, then sighed and headed back.
We shared a cabin with Wayne and Paula which was nice because it was less chaotic. I just felt bad for them always having to endure Tanner's crying. Wayne brought his guitar and played a little. Guitar music is one of my favorite things. So relaxing.
These girlies wanted their hair done and I was happy to oblige!
The kids played jacuzzi hop from one cabin to the next, all week. I couldn't bear to get in one. Too many floaty things. Ick.
Kayda really loves Tanner and takes such good care of him. I never had to worry when she was in charge of him because I knew he would be safe and having fun!
We went north to enjoy cooler weather and family, but Collin's bum never left the rec center. Video game central. How can we compete with Fortnite?
I don't even know what this game is called... shuffleboard? At any rate, we played lots of it and pool AND mini-golf.
I started a round of Ring around the Posey with the little girls and slowly, more cousins joined in, until we had just about everybody singing and dunking themselves in the water like 5 year olds.
Thursday night, all the grown ups went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and I was brave and left Tanner with the older girls to babysit. I guess he was a nightmare and they just put him to bed. I felt so bad for leaving him, but the truth is, it was really nice to get out and eat a dozen rolls with honey butter without having to wrangle that little stinker.
The daily rainstorms were pretty predictable, rolling in, in the late afternoons.
She hates to get HER hair done, but I guess the hairstyling gene has still passed on.
What did I tell you? Tanner was always doted on by his cousins! It was so cute.
He was probably his happiest with a golf club in his hand!
Those chin rolls! Such a goober! I love it!
I'd take Tanner on walks most days and this particular day, we had the whole family together. When we reached this little grassy area, I had the kids do races back and forth. It was a little swampy though and on the last race, Collin was determined to win (I staggered their starting places). At the very end, he lunged forward, knocking Weston to the ground and they both went sliding through a big, muddy marsh getting soaked and covered in mud and grass. My jaw literally dropped, then I just died laughing! I couldn't believe what I had witnessed. It was like straight out of a movie. Almost in slow motion! We were all laughing and shouting and then I realized Collin was crying. He wasn't hurt, just butt-hurt, thinking we were laughing at him. And it was all his fault anyway! We tried to explain why we were laughing, but he wasn't very good at taking the joke. Travis had been video taping all the other races, but didn't on the last one. Such a bummer!
My birthday was on Saturday and I wanted to try the ropes course up there, but we were afraid rain would spoil it. So we went on Friday because the weather looked more promising. We got there right when it opened at 7:30am and were the first two on the course, which made it nice to not ever have to wait on anyone in front of us. After getting harnessed and shown how to do everything, they just let you go and watch from the ground. The whole thing is up high in the trees. There were 5 courses, starting with easier obstacles and gradually getting harder. The website says to allow 4 hours to finish it, but we did it in 2. Our guide said most people usually get to the third course before they want to be done. The first two were pretty easy and just fun. We would try to bounce or swing eachother, just goofing off. By the fourth course, I was getting more tired and by the last course I was sweaty and pooped! I definitely couldn't have done it if I hadn't been going to bootcamp these past six months. One particular obstacle was all arms where you have to swing and catch the next log to get you across and I made Travis go first just so I could catch my breath. I was pretty sure I would fall, but I did it!! I was so proud of myself! We got through the whole thing and neither of us fell once.
Afterward, we tried a juice place that made the yummiest acai bowls! I actually tried the pitaya bowl and it was amazing. Seriously, amazing. Look at that bright pink color! I couldn't help myself. I licked the bowl. No shame.
Everyone was at a park, so we drove straight there to join them. They grilled hot dogs and the kids had fun at the skate park and trying all the fun toys. Tanner a little bit loved Grandpa's electric bike.
We spotted a deer and fawn in the woods behind our cabin!
On my actual birthday I was craving that pitaya bowl again, so all us girls went there for brunch. I took Olive and Olivia to Old Navy to get some school clothes and took all the kids to the movies that afternoon to see Hotel Transylvania 3. Travis stayed back with Tanner. It was a pretty lame movie, but hey, there's always popcorn.
That night, Karen watched our kids so we could try this restaurant we keep hearing rave reviews about. Fat Olives. It's a pizza place that makes authentic Neapolitan pizza. I ordered the Belgio Doce and it was sooooo delicious. Definitely going back!
Belgio Dolce
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Later that night we all gathered at Reddin and Megan and Brenden and Carrie's cabin for brownies and ice cream to celebrate my and Adele's birthdays. Then we played some card game where you trade crops or plants or something. I can't even remember what it was called, just that we were all so confused as Carrie was explaining it and laughed a lot. It turned into a really fun evening.
The hairstyling continues! Now the boys are in on it!
We packed up and left Sunday morning. Reallly not looking forward to the painfully hot weather, but also couldn't wait to snuggle my bed!!!
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