Cloudcroft Vacation

 Our little cabin was perfect...kids had their own area upstairs. Fun for them; for us it confirmed that we never want a two story house.

 The famous tunnel that we drove through everyday on the way to various locations.

 We drove WAY out in to the mountains to see this mountain stream waterfall. The kids liked wading in the water, though it was freezing.

 The source of the stream....

 

White Sands

 With Smokey at the cherry festival in High Rolls

  

 Giant pistachio at one of the pistachio ranches near Alamagordo.

Posing beneath a pistachio tree.

 In the town square at Mesilla (historic Las Cruces).

Inside a restaurant that was once the governor's mansion in Mesilla.

 We ate dinner on our porch every night...perfect weather, no wind

 

Valley of Fire

Three Rivers Petroglyphs

Saying Goodbye

Emma's 5-yr-old Portraits

Vacation in Liberty Hill

For the third year in a row, the kids went home with Papa Wes and GG the day after Emma's birthday party. This is a wonderful vacation for them and for us every year. Their week was filled with story hours, crafts, special breakfasts, and treats galore! Our week was filled with quiet (ah...so quiet) meals at home and out, trips to the movie theater, cleaning up and organizing around the house, and just generally rejuvenating downtime. Thank you, Papa Wes & and GG!

Lunch at Papa Wes' office

Baby V is not really on board with the waterpark thing...

But Emma sure is!

Decorating ornaments

making homemade peach ice cream

Happy 5th Birthday, Emma Ireline!

Since today is Saturday, Emma's 5th birthday and her party day are actually aligned this year. Last night, Memaw & Pepaw arrived after dinner. Viola was asleep in bed, having suddenly come down with some kind of illness just minutes before. We let Emma open her gifts from us since we usually like to do ours before the party. This morning, I made french toast, and Emma opened more gifts from Memaw & Pepaw. Then, Memaw & I went into party prep mode and got all the food prepared and packed up a little before 10:00. The party was at Kiwanis Park this year. Other than some pretty strong wind, the weather was great. All of Emma's friends made it to the party, and she was very excited about all her gifts. By 12:30 we were loaded up and headed back home. Morgan & Emma spent most of the afternoon playing with all the new stuff. Tonight, Papa Wes & GG will be here for round two! Emma wants to go to Mr. Gatti's, and then there will be more gifts!

The Calico Critter squirrel family she has been waiting for.

A new dress & headband.

No candles. The lighter wouldn't work, not that it would have mattered anyway with all the wind.

Cute little Wee-Wee...

Waiting for cake & ice cream....

In lieu of the traditional couch photo, we piled them all up on the playground.

Love this one- Me, Emma, and her best friend Kate

Morgan's got the crazy eyes!