Guadalupe Mountains State Park

Our next day was hiking in Guadalupe Mts state park. We hiked Devil's Hall, 4.2 miles...lots of climbing rocks along the way. It was a pretty easy hike...everyone did fine. Once we hit the end of the trail we played hide and seek, had a picnic, rock climbed then headed back to the car. Next stop, Hueco Tanks State Park. Basically rock climbing, we hiked to the top. A full day of hiking and rock climbing....we were worn out! As we left the park we saw a tarantula in the road...and another on the side of the road so we stopped, of course ;)

 starting our hike

 not sure what this is - millipede?

 Hueco Tanks...hiking to the top

 the boys then went on to the tippie top, Reese and I stayed put

Tarantula

New Mexico

We drove to New Mexico for our family vacation this summer. That might sound like a nightmare but our kids do really well in the car so roads trips aren't all that bad. Our trip was broken up along the way as we made stops along the way in different towns (we didn't just stay in on place), so that helped too.  Our first stop was in Balmorhea, Texas. It is the world's largest spring fed pool...it was chilly the morning we went because the storms passed through but they still had fun swimming (with Dad!). Actually there were some catfish in the pool and the boys chased them around most of the time. The water is crystal clear and 72 degrees year round, beautiful. Afterwards we made our way to Carlsbad and went through Carlsbad Caverns. We ate dinner and stuck around to see the bats leave the cave that evening. Our first night in a hotel went well...the kids love staying in hotels :)

Blake going off the high dive. He actually went in straight - no belly flops.

 Reese barely getting in, this was about as far as she went.

 We hiked down the natural entrance of the cave and took the elevator up

Summer

We have had  a nice summer so far...just relaxing and enjoying not being on a schedule (for the most part). Typically I have about 4-6 boys in my house in the afternoons.....it's LOUD but I try remind myself that it is also GOOD. Thankful for my loud, happy kiddos ;) A few photos from the first half of summer.

Playing with friends

 one black eye

 hanging with my boys at the lake

visiting with family

 celebrated Granddad's 70th birthday