When Ben asked us how long it would be until 2013, and we asked why he wanted to know, his answer was "because then next year we can go blueberry picking." Thankfully we didn't miss it this year and were able to go yesterday morning.
While the boys are happy to be home so they can play with their toys and see their friends again, they also miss vacation. Matthew really misses the 'kiddie' pool at the resort. We'll have to find a way to keep him swimming this summer!
Ben really misses the fun games Gammy invented, like going through a labrinth to get special super-hero powers!
They've got so many great memories - eating rattlesnake, playing in the pools, hiking in the desert, seeing a cowboy gunfight... It was a GREAT trip!
Jake had some really cute moments on vacation :)
To start, the return of his crazy hair! ( I love this kid's hair!)
Talking on the phone ... "Heyow, heyow Daddy"
Trying to relax in the pool like Daddy and Ben
Help from Ben getting his socks and shoes on
Matt sharing his ice cream with Jake
On Wed evening we went to Rawhide so the boys could see some of the Wild West. And what Wild West wouldn't be complete without a couple dust storms rolling through? The first one hit right as we got there.
They're a little intimidating to a midwesterner watching the giant wall of dust close in.
Thankfully, we headed inside for dinner and the whole thing blew on through. The boys tried rattlesnake (they're so excited to tell their friends about eating a snake!) and Jake ate corn on the cob for the first time (after all, his brothers were!).
We had a little time to check out the town, lock Ben and Matt up in the jail wagon (Ben predictably hated it and Matt hammed it up), and for the boys to ride a train, and then we headed over to see the cowboy show...
...just in time for the second dust storm to blow in. We decided to go for the authentic experience and ride it out while watching the end of the show.
I should have been thinking and snapped a picture afterward. We were all covered in dust. A little ice cream made the boys feel better and then it was home for baths!
We've been logging lots of pool time in AZ and the boys are loving it!
There's a fun new game they love playing with Uncle Tom.
We are so proud of Ben - he's started putting his face in the water, walking under the waterfall, and jumping in from the side of the pool. And Daddy's teaching him how to relax in the pool :)
Matthew is our little fish. If we had another week I think we'd get him swimming on his own.
Jake started out *hating* the pool... but now has a grand time (as long as there's a step he can sit on :) ).
Who doesn't love a good hike in the desert during the summer?
Especially when carrying an extra 20 lbs?
Gotta make sure to drink a lot of water.
Matthew had an AWESOME time! He led the group and even ran part of the trail.
Hard to tell from this picture, but this is everybody after making it to the top of the hill we climbed.
Lately it's been hard to get Ben's nose out of a book.
Me: "Ben, time for dinner."
Me: "Ben, c'mon, it's time to eat"
Me: "Ben, get to the table, NOW!"
Me: "Benjamin Michael Wetzel - get to the table now... or I'll take away all your books!" [who thought I'd ever threaten to do that!]
Ben: "Hmph!" as he throws his book down and stomps to the table
Getting ready to take off on my first airplane ride!
Matt LOVED flying! He got so excited for take-off and landing... and snacks, of course!
Ben did great on the flights too. He got to read books and watch movies for *hours*!
Me: "Hey Ben, look, we're taking off!"
Ben: "Yeah" as he quickly looks out the window and then ducks back into his book
Me: "Ben, look - mountains!"
Ben: "Hmph..." not even looking up from the movie to see the mountains
Jake had the best time looking out the window!
A rare moment of sitting still!
Everyone was exhausted by the time we got to the condo!
