New Mexico & Colorado (before Utah)

Our summer "vacation" started off on May 26th with our drive to Ramah, New Mexico. I think it took like 6 hrs. The kids did pretty well and we got there around 6:30. Gram Carmen and Papa had dinner ready for us except that the kids were too excited to eat. We chatted for a while and then went on a short walk. We saw a lot of deer and some rabbits. The rabbits were the highlight for Paige. She kept saying, "MORE Wabbits! More Wabbits!"  The darkness brought us back to the house but it was perfect timing since we needed to get the kids to bed. The kids slept great but unfortunately Chris and I didn't. I'd rather have us sleeping horrible than the kids though. In the morning we ate and got our stuff together. Gram sleeps down at Great Grandma Luella's at night but she came back up to the house before we left and took a couple of pictures. I really wish we could have had one with GG Grandma Luella with the kids but that's ok.
Chris took a picture of the sippy cups we took so that we would remember! He's a thinker!

Our next adventure was off to meet the Harris family in Ouray, Colorado on Thursday the 27th. This drive felt long but really it was under 300 miles. It's all mountainous roads so that's why it takes a while. It really was so beautiful though.  We got to Ouray around 4:30 just a few min. after Steve and Alison arrived! It was perfect timing! We rented a house but each room had it's own separate entrance which worked out perfectly.  We had king sized beds which was awesome for Chris and I!! Paige slept in a pack and play and Ryan in his new toddler air mattress. The only night Paige had troubles was the first and we ended up just putting her in bed with us(we've never done that with her) and she slept just fine! Although...she was all over me even though she had plenty of room in the middle. We were worried how it would be putting the kids down in the same room since they've never gone to bed in the same room together but it wasn't a problem at all. Phew! So that first night we all went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant and then just walked around town for a little bit. Chris' parents got in around 10:30 or so that night. The kids were up bright and early and ready to go the next morning. After breakfast and playing in the yard we drove to the waterfall hike. The house owner let us borrow her child carrier so that it would be easier for Paige to go. The kids had a blast! I only wish it was longer. You can hike to the very top but it's pretty steep for kids and pregnant people! When we got back it was about time for Ryan, Chris, Kaytlyn and Shirley to go on their horse back ride. I was super excited for Ryan cause I knew he would love it!! I stayed home with Paige while she took a nap but after she woke up Steve, Alison and I went for a walk and then down to the river to let Paige throw rocks in. I was excited to hear all about Ryan's horse ride when we got back. I was so surprised to hear that he was on his own horse and not riding with Chris! The guide had him right up front with him on a smaller horse. I'm sure Ryan felt super special. John drove them up there so he was able to get some pictures for us. So CUTE! We had a pretty chill rest of the night. We BBQ and played games and put the kids to bed. We snuck over to Mom and Dad's place after the kids were in bed and played a little Trivial Pursuit and Catch Phrase.  It's always nice when the adults get to spend some time together.
Up and ready to go the next morning we headed to the Hot Springs. The kids had been wanting to go swimming the day before but it's $12 a day(luckily the home owner got us some discount passes) so we decided to just go one day and let them go a couple of times. And that we did. They're kind of weird about the rules there but the kids still had a great time. I went in the morning but just stayed out when we went back in the afternoon. The weather in Ouray was actually pretty chilly but bearable. Ouray is just a little piece of heaven. And I know there is lots more to explore there but maybe when our kids get older(it will be more expensive too!)we can rent a Jeep or do some longer hikes but we still totally enjoy our time there. Sunday morning we were out by 8ish. It was going to be our longest drive and so we wanted to give ourselves enough time to not feel rushed.  We had to stop at the Harrises house in Eagle Mtn. to pick up Chris' car but then headed right to Centerville. Paige had only slept for 1 hr in the car and that was in the morning. Needless to say she was pretty crabby the last leg of the race.