Spring Break 2009 Part I

We headed south for Snowflake this year for Spring Break. We were in for a real treat as everyone(except James) would be there. Jeanie was in her HS musical, "Oklahoma!" so everyone headed home to see her stage debut. Jeanie was excellent! She was animated, looked the part, danced beautifully, and made Aaron and Brinlie laugh. We very much enjoyed ourselves and were impressed with the quality of the production. It was a treat for me to see her perform.

The days consisted of lovely weather and playing outside. In the back yard Mecca at Grandma and Grandpa's house there is everything little kids want. Sand, more sand, rocks, BIG rocks, trampoline, swing set, bikes, scooters, basketball hoop, and water to help glue it all together. They played for hours. One day not being very careful they became a little sunburned, and Emma kept telling us her arms hurt. Oops. Emma also had to be bathed everyday because she had this notion that rubbing her head in the sand was fun. She would come in covered in sand and would need to be carried right upstairs to bathe. After we brushed out as much sand as possible.

The older kids also had a fun time working at G and G's other house. Dad had to pour some cement. That meant more dirt and heavy equipment. "Heaven," as Aaron would say. They came home filthy and happy. Working with Grandpa always proves to be a real treat.

The Eight cousins all play so well together. I think that is one of my favorite parts - seeing them play happily and becoming buds. Waking up early asking for each other as it is time to play. Wanting to sit next to each other to eat. Darylyn and Derek sharing each others treasures and kisses. Sweet times of JOY.

We also went on an adventure with Darrell and Kendra. Darrell took us to a nearby fish hatchery-not the fish part-but the nature part by it. The kids threw rocks in the little creek. Watched Uncle Darrell fly fish. Found the remains of crawdads. Fished with their weed fishing poles. Oh and Derek and Aaron held a snake. Yes, a snake! Darrell was showing us a spring and while looking among the rocks suddenly pulls out a snake. Scott immediately gets goose bumbs and the ibby geebbies. (however you spell that- he does not like snakes) Derek and Aaron were so brave to hold the snake. After the snake exhibit we put the creature back and walked on. When Scott almost stepped on another snake we decided it was time to go. We went to a fish hatchery and found snakes! Thank you Darrell for the adventure.

Our children never like us when it is time to go home. But this time I really think they wanted to let us know how disappointed they were. On the way home (only those who have driven this road before on the reservation will understand this)while I was driving the kids were gradually going bonkers. It started a little before the turn off to Vermillion Cliffs. They were crabby, teasing each other, uncomfortable,hungry, and restless. As we make our way around the twisting road the tension is escalating. Darylyn is a wreck her car seat is making her hot, Carter is teasing and being teased and it keeps getting louder and LOUDER!!! I am ready to do the put the Fear of God in them routine. "Get out of the car we are going to leave you," and then drive away. Leave them there for a few minutes, then come back and get them. As we begin to ascend to Jacob's Lake it continues. There is a lovely look out with ample room and I decide I have had enough. Without saying a word to Scott about my sudden stroke of desperation I pull over and tell everyone to get out now! They all look at me with puzzlement with a slight twinge of fear. "She is going to push us over the cliff!" There are lovely big rocks placed along the edge to prevent falling off the steep hill. I take each individual to a rock and them tell them all they have to stay on the rock for 5 minutes and are not aloud to talk. Scott also had a rock. Emma stayed with me. So after about 10 minutes of cooling off time we get in the car and proceed up the hill. The complaining of hotness continued but the teasing was not as bad. I made them listen to songs from musicals. We at last made it to Jacob's Lake and it was Scott's turn to drive. Memorable, definitely memorable.