Our New Home Away from Home

As some of you may know, we sold our pop-up camper about a month ago. We loved our pop-up and made many great memories in the two years we had it, but we were ready for an upgrade. We are vacationing in the Four-Corners area this year and want to camp the entire week, and I for one, wanted hard sides and a bathroom!! Colin has spent the past month constantly checking Craigslist, eBay, and the Thrifty Nickel, watching for a good deal. We were prepared to go as far as Phoenix or Albuquerque to get one, if needed, but today, he found one on Craigslist that looked very promising and it was here in Cruces! He went and looked at it while I took the kids to a birthday party and when we got home, it was parked in front of our house! Colton and Cady were very excited and forgot all about telling their daddy about the fun they had at the party, as they fought to be the first one to step in the new camper!


Even Stormie was excited (as excited as she can get the way she's been feeling the last week). I think she is ready to go camping! Colton tested out the sturdiness of the ladder on the back:While Cady made sure the oven worked:
This will be Cady's bed:Here is Colton's bunk:This couch folds out into a big bed for Colin and I:

Here is Colton at the kitchen table:
I just realized I didn't get any pictures of the bathroom, but it is nice and roomy as far as camper bathrooms go!

As you can tell, we are very excited about our new toy. We look forward to using it and are already trying to find a time to take it on a trial run. The kids would've slept in there last night if we would've let them!!

Saturday Visit to White Sands

Leigh Anne and Parker, who live in Washington, are in Cruces for a visit. We haven't seen them since November, so we were all excited to spend some time with them at White Sands. Parker had never been before and it is always fun to take someone for their very first time. The kids were very excited because they love their Auntie and Uncle Parker is a very fun guy! It was a little cool, but we still had a great time. Enjoy the pics!

My First (Unplanned and Unofficial) Marathon!

Most of you know that I am training for the Bataan Memorial Death March to be held next month at the White Sands Missile Range. I have been doing two to three 5 mile walks during each week, but haven't done a long walk since going with my parents, aunt, uncles and cousin almost a month ago. It has been frustrating because with the kids, it is almost impossible for Colin to go with me and I really haven't had anyone else to walk with. Well, my parents were planning to go on a pretty good hike this past weekend, and Colin had talked about us getting out of town for a couple of days this weekend, so we decided to go. My parents and I left their house a little before 9 on Sunday morning and drove just a couple of miles down the road to the Ranger Station there in Mimbres. The Continental Divide Trail is there and none of us had ever been on it before, so we decided to try it. At the beginning of the trail, there is a sign saying that the trail leads to Bear Canyon Lake and that it is an 8-mile hike, so we thought that was perfect, that we could just call Colin, who stayed at my parents house and entertained the kids on the 4-wheeler, to come pick us up. Here we are just a few minutes into the hike:


A couple miles later, we came upon this really cool, old cabin that none of us even knew existed . It had signs around it saying government property, but you could tell there had been peoplethere. Luckily, there was no one there then, and we enjoyed looking around!Check out this old stove:

Here's the outhouse (we didn't look inside of it):We kept going and the trail was leading us up the canyon. The creek was running, although frozen in parts. We had my parents dogs, Boxie and Cowpoke with us, as well as my dog, Piper, so it was nice that they could drink all the water they wanted.


It was very beautiful there! Nice, big rock formations, lots of snow, and then we even came upon some Aspen trees, which told us we were pretty high up there!


We walked several miles and the trail led us over a mountain where we hit a road. Someone had recently driven over the road, so we assumed it must lead us back down to the highway and we could call Colin when we got there. After about 2 miles of walking on this road, we didn't have a good feeling. We came to a point where we could look out and realized that if the highway was down there, it must be way down there! We called Colin, who was beginning to get worried (this was supposed to be a 4-5 hour trip and we were already in the 4th hour and not even close to being done. My Dad called a friend of his who lives in the valley, not far from the ranger station to see what he knew about that trail and the road we were on. Here is how high up we were (the furthest mountain range is the Black Range, my Dad figured out):
Well, to make a long story a little shorter, we were on a road leading us up toward Signal Peak and the trail we were on wasn't even the trail to Bear Canyon Lake! That one hadn't been kept up at all and veered to the left at one point, which we missed (my Dad's friend said that his boys did the same thing before - it was easy to do). So, my mom called Colin back to tell him we were going to have to backtrack and my Dad and I had a little chuckle when she told him it was at least 8 miles back and then after a pause we heard her say, "Yes, I am serious"!

So, we started the long walk back. We were all tired, sore and hungry, but we walked fast! My dad estimated we were walking 1 mile every 20 minutes, which was pretty good. We had water still and my dad made me feel better when he said he had a flashlight in case we were still walking in the dark. It seemed to take forever to get back to that dumb cabin, but we were relieved when we saw it! We decided, with help from Mr. Hickman (my dad's friend) that we would just stay in the canyon and walk out that way instead of going back over the mountains and out where we started from. It was Allie Canyon and we knew the front part pretty well - there was even a road up to the cabin. By this time, the sun was starting to go down, but according to the signs, we should only have 15-20 minutes to the road, which is what my Dad told Colin to give us before coming to pick us up. Well, that 15-20 minutes turned into over an hour, if not close to 2! My mom's leg was really bothering her and she could hardly bend it! My adrenaline kicked in and I went on up ahead (we were still following the road out), hoping to see Colin or our Tahoe so he would know we were there and then could drive up farther to get my parents. I even ran quite a ways until I made myself stop, reminding myself I hadn't had anything to eat since that morning, except for a cereal bar, and hadn't drank the amount of water I should have. I then heard four-wheelers in the distance and got excited, thinking it might be Mr. Hickman or even Colin with my dad's four-wheeler. Turns out it was a father with his two young sons, out hunting coyotes. I started to just keep walking, but I stopped and asked if they would mind going back and getting my mom because of her leg. They were very nice and pretty soon came up behind me as I was still walking my butt off trying to get to Colin, who I knew was very worried at this point. Mom was on one of them, but Dad was still walking, so I decided to wait for my Dad - no point in him walking out by himself since Colin would see my mom and know we were coming. The boys came back for my Dad and I (it was dark by then) and after a few minutes on the 4 wheeler, I saw our white Tahoe coming toward us!! Colin was as happy to see us as I was him!!! Mr. Hickman had also come looking for us (what a great friend) when he didn't hear back from us. Colin said he was giving us until 9 and then he was calling search and rescue!!! We got back with a little less than 3 hours to spare!

Our 8 mile, 4 hour hike had turned into a 22 mile, 10 hour hike and we were pretty tired!! My mom's leg had already started to feel better by the time Colin got us home and we ate some of her yummy chili she had made in the crock pot that morning, intending on it being our lunch!! She thinks she was a little dehydrated which is what caused her leg to cramp. We were all very, very sore yesterday and I moved as little as possible. Colin was great and took care of me, though, even making me green chile stew!!

It was a long day, but really wasn't too bad. I wouldn't say we were ever lost, because we knew exactly how to get out of there by going back the way we came, we had just been hoping there was a quicker way!! We also all proved to ourselves that we can definitely complete the March next month. Even though it is a few miles longer than what we walked (it is 26.2 miles), when you factor in the snow we walked in at least 75% of the time, the mountains we walked up, the rocky terrain, and the elevation, we all agreed that what we did was harder, and my mom should know - she did the Bataan Death March last year! I am so sorry for worrying Colin and the kids, but still enjoyed the day with my parents! Next time, we won't be so adventurous and will go on a trail that at least one of us has been on before!!

God was really watching out for us and it is because of Him that we all made it out of there with no major injuries or problems. It could've been easy for one of us to fall and sprain an ankle in all that snow! Mr. Hickman, who I said lives in that area, also told us that he had a rabid bobcat show up at his place! I was very thankful that I didn't know that beforehand!

13 Years

This Valentine's Day marked thirteen years since Colin and I had our first date! I remember the day well - I was working at Albertson's, in the Service Deli, and got off that evening at 6. I rushed home to hop in the shower (couldn't smell like lunch meat and fried chicken for a date) and get ready. I had known Colin for a few months from college and mutual friends. We had hung out a lot and there had been a little flirting before he finally asked me out! He came right on time to pick me up, bringing with him a small teddy bear and a vase with 3 red roses. I still have the teddy bear sitting on a shelf in our bedroom. We went to the movies, first, and there wasn't a whole lot to choose from, but we both decided on "Mr. Holland's Opus" which actually turned out to be a good movie. We then went to Village Inn, the only place that was still open, not counting Taco Bell, and grabbed a bite to eat and just talked and talked. It was then that I knew I was in love with him and from that day on, we were inseparable! We still are, for the most part. There is no one that I would rather do anything with than him. He is my best friend and I am his and I am so thankful to have him. That is why Valentine's Day is so special to us - it reminds us of the day God started our lives together! We are grateful to Colin's parents this year, who stayed with the kids, allowing us to go to dinner together to celebrate! Here we are right before leaving:
In honor of our 13th year together, here are thirteen things you may or may not know about us and our relationship:
1. Our second date was to Cracker Barrel (right after it opened) where I accidentally inhaled a piece of corn and started choking! I was so embarrassed! He is used to me doing stuff like that now!

2. It took him quite a few dates before he actually kissed me, which I thought was sweet, but shared with my good friend, Kate. One night we were at the video store with Kate and another of our friends, Kirby, when Kate saw the movie, "French Kiss" and kept suggesting it a little too persistently! I was mortified, but Colin told me later that he never caught on!

3. I had Strep Throat on our 6-month dating anniversary, but he wanted to take me out anyway. I went, but was so bummed that I was sick!

4. I was glad I went, though, because he took me to Cattle Baron and as I was getting out of his truck, he reached in his pocket and pulled out an engagement ring. I started crying as he got down on one knee, in the parking lot and proposed! Of course I said "yes" right away! He told me later, during dinner, that he planned to do it over dinner, but was so excited that he couldn't wait!

5. Speaking of his old truck, I miss riding in it, because I always sat right next to him, in the middle! He still has it, but we just don't drive it anymore because it was a single cab and the kiddos won't fit.

6. He wouldn't tell me where we were going on our honeymoon, because he wanted it to be a surprise. We spent about 30 minutes together the night before our wedding, talking about our future (again) and exchanging gifts with each other and he let it slip that we were going to San Antonio, TX. He had gone about 6 months without telling me and then it accidentally came out the night before our wedding! I felt so bad for him!

7. I was still finishing college our first couple of years of marriage, and had a lot of evening classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He didn't mind at all fixing dinner those nights and still does dinner and lunch occasionally. In fact, I am eating a bowl of his yummy green chile stew while I type this!

8. After having Cady, I experienced problems and was ordered to strict bedrest. During this time, Colin not only cared for me, but had to care for Colton who was 3 1/2 and a newborn. He did things for me that I didn't think he would have to do until I was 90! Talk about a loving husband!

9. When we lived in Seattle and I worked for the Boeing Child Care Center, he went to work and got off work about the same time as me, so, he would drop me off in the mornings and pick me up in the afternoon. On rainy days, he would come in with an umbrella and follow me out to my side of the car with the umbrella. My friends that I worked with thought I was so spoiled but would say how that was the sweetest thing they had ever seen!

10. I had a dalmatian, named Chelsey, when we got married, and Colin loved her , even though she was epileptic and not the easiest dog to take care of . When she took a turn for the worse, two days before Colton was born, and we made the horrible, but necessary decision to have her put down, it was Colin that was with her when she died.


11. One Christmas Eve, before we had kids and while living here in Cruces, Colin took me to the movies to see "Toy Story 2". It was super cold when we went in to see it and we both joked about how neat it would be if it snowed when we came out. Well, imagine our surprise when we walked out that night to a beautiful winter wonderland! It was amazing! We went to Applebee's for dinner and had to drive down Triviz super slow and enjoyed watching the hosts and hostesses having quick and frequent snowball fights throughout our dinner (not a lot of people out to eat that night due to the snow). We both agree that next to our wedding and the birth of our children, that was our favorite day together!

12. Having our beautiful children has been the most rewarding experience of our relationship! We both knew we wanted children, although, I wanted them right after being married, but agreed with Colin that we should wait until after graduating college. Plus, that gave us five extra years to concentrate on us, which we both felt was important!

13. We have experienced hard times during our marriage, mostly related to horrible jobs and problems when we were having and trying to have kids. Knowing that these experiences were God's will, as hard as that was to acknowledge, has helped our relationship grow stronger and us grow closer. We know there will be more and we are ready for them!!

Finally, here are 13 pictures of us through the years:

1. 1996, This was taken at a banquet just a few months after our first date:
2. 1996, Our engagement photo:3. 1997, Wedding photo:4. 2000, Christmas at my Gramma's house:5. 2001, at our house in Renton, WA with our two dogs, Chelsey and Stormie:6. 2001, Seven months pregnant with Colton: 7. 2002, Colton at 5 1/2 months:8. 2005, Colton 3 years and 7 months pregnant with Cady:9. 2006, New Years Day, Colton 4 years and Cady 6 months:
10. 2006, Grand Canyon:
11. 2007, Easter:12. 2007, Celebrating our 10-year Anniversary in Oahu, Hawaii:13. 2008, Ruidoso, NM:

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed putting it together! Thank you, Colin for being such a wonderful husband and father! I love you and look forward to many, many more years of celebrating Valentine's Day together!

Valentine's Day Morning Surprise

I love Valentine's Day! I love celebrating it with Colin, but I also love trying to do something for Colton and Cady to show them how much their Daddy and I love them. When I was pregnant with Cady, I decorated Coltons room with streamers and hearts, while he was sleeping, so he would wake up to a decorated room. He was about Cady's age at the time and thought that was pretty neat! So, I decided to do it again this year. After taking the kids to Chuck E. Cheese last night, I ran to the Dollar Tree store and found pink and red streamers, and bought them each 2 Valentine's Day balloons. I left it all in the garage until after they were asleep and then went to work cutting out hearts and getting streamers ready to tape. Colin helped me put tape on all the hearts and then I went in and started decorating! I taped the hearts to the walls by their beds, to Cady's headboard and dresser, and to Colton's closet door. Then, I took streamers and hung them from their doorways and also from each blade on their fans. The balloons were tied to a gift bag with their little Valentine's gifts in them and set by their doors. It only took about 30 minutes, and I was so excited, it took me a little while to relax and fall asleep!

This morning, at 7 AM, I awoke to a rumbling and Colton came running into our bedroom carring his gift bag and balloons! He was so excited !! Cady was awake but sitting in her bed, taking everything in. Of course, I wouldn't let them tear into their gifts until I got some pictures. I like to torture them, you know!

Here is Colton's room:And here is Cady's:

After pictures, Colton joined Cady on her bed and they opened their presents. Besides each of them getting a Webkins animal (yes, I did buy Cady a cat. I may not like them, but I knew she would love it!), Colton got a couple of Indiana Jones toys and some M&Ms and Cady got some new things for her hair, a Tinkerbell water bottle, and a heart shaped Pez dispenser. They also each gave each other small candy gifts.
It was very fun for them and fun for Colin and I to watch them get so excited! We love them so much and enjoy showing them in different ways. I told Colin I may have to make that a tradition!