We Got More Sand…

I am really getting behind on the posting thing. I will just have to do the birthday posts later when I can get some decent pictures of the birthday victims. For now, I will post some pictures from our dune trip of last weekend. So much fun. Summer and Jamie and kids were with us for the first time and it was so much fun to have them there with us. Everyone is always so good to share quads, rhinos, helmet, gloves and goggles. It gives everyone who wants to ride the opportunity to do so. Stacie and R.B. are great hosts and share their toy hauler space, so Summer and Jamie's family stayed at the Harmon Hilton Hauler. We had the Mower/Harmon Hotel and made space for Jade and Jeff's family with us. This was one of the most enjoyable trips, probably because the kids played well, the adults enjoyed each other's company and we all worked together to make this a great memory. I am still so thankful for the work all the dads put in to keep the kids quads running, keep the kids from running over each other, (Carsen took out a lawn chair once this trip) and taking the kids out on little rides to give them experience. The mom's all work at food, snacking, keeping the peace, riding when they can and making everyone comfortable. 

R.B. hooked up his satellite so everyone could watch the game. It was fun to watch in the toy hauler as the Cardinals won their place in the superbowl. I didn't watch it, but I heard the cheers coming from the open doors. 

I am so thankful for children who like to play together. Big and small. It does my mother's heart good to see my grown-up kids enjoy their time together. They still tease each other, joke at each other's expense and serve and help one another. So when you are mad at your kids, and you wonder why you had them in the first place, (of course I wouldn't know anything about that feeling…) I promise it does pay off. I love all mine so very much. 

The Armstrongs with us for the first time. We have had Taylor, Jordyn and Rylee with us before, and Summer was down once, but it was a first for the Armstrongs as a family to come have fun in the sand. We were missing their oldest, J.T., and hope he will be able to come with us sometime.



Tawna, Jade, Stacie and Crystal who was visiting with her brother Jake for the trip.



Summer, Jake and Jordyn enjoying the sand, the breeze and sitting down.



Austin and Grumpy on Comp hill after Austin rolled his quad trying to go up Comp. He got up and Grumpy went to help him get the quad back up on all fours and make sure Austin was okay to go. All was well, Austin was just ticked that he couldn't quite make it to the top.



Jeff and some of the boys hangin' out by the Rhino. Or the Rhiner as Carsen says.



Tawna and Faith



Carsen having so much fun with the trucks and the unlimited supply of sand to pile in and on everything. He, Chance and Aden could play in the sand forever I think.



Megan and Rylee hanging out in the little sand car.



Jordyn being teased by none other than R.B. He is the king of tease and has so much fun with the kids.



Chance on his quad with Ryker and Jaxon in the background.



The boys playing catch.



I had to put this picture in to say how much I appreciate Jamie and his patience. He had just loaded up the Yukon and Taylor comes over and lifts up the back hatch to put something else in. Of course everything came tumbling out and piled on the sand. Jamie never said a cross word, never gave any indication he was frustrated by this. He just closed the hatch, opened just the window part and he and Taylor put everything back in. He is such a good man and treats Summer and all the kids so wonderfully. What a good example of how not to be mad and get dramatic about the mistakes kids make. All of us really. This was after a crazy trip towing our jeep that needs work on the steering. Tawna and Nathan ended up driving it, and that was no fun either. Thanks kids for not pushing it off a cliff - although that may not be such a bad idea sometimes. It did help to get us all back to the Wall, which is why I wanted to take it in the first place. We'll have to get it fixed so it won't be such a nightmare next time.



This picture of the sunset on Saturday night doesn't do it justice. If my camera battery had held out just a few more minutes, it was truly so very beautiful. Grumpy is in the corner, sitting as he so often is with a grandchild on his lap (in this case Megan). He is so loved by them and is good to play, sit, ride, and even let himself be covered in sand by our grandkids. I sure picked a good one when I let him catch me. Stacie made great soups for Sunday night, Summer and Jamie made good Chili for lunch and awesome Spaghetti for dinner Saturday, we had cheese spread on crackers and for sandwiches, Grumpy's famous Yucka burros and some good pancakes and eggs for breakfast. Thanks to all who came, saw and had fun. I am really looking forward to the couples trip coming up. I hope we can work out all our schedules so we can make the trip happen.