These past three weeks have been a whirlwind of adventure and not too much internet to do some blog posts. So this is an extremely long post with LOTS of pictures and I didn't even use half the pictures we took! Be sure you are in a comfortable seat before you attempt this post. :)
Memorial Day Weekend
Our little family joined up with Justin's Uncle Matt and his family along with Justin's cousin Christine to go camping up in Wisconsin. We drove about 6 1/2 hours from our house to the camping area and drove past the Wisconsin Dells that have all the water parks and awesome resorts. I was green with envy wanting to stay at some of the resorts instead of camping, but we already had our plan and there will always be time in the future for that sort of thing.
We arrived at our campsite in the dark and it was raining so it wasn't too much fun setting up camp. It was our first time using our tent in the rain and it was a disaster. The rain fly didn't work so we were rained on through the night. It dripped on us and we woke up with puddles in the tent and we were wet. So the next day we went up to Sam's to return the tent and get a new one. The new one was much better!
This is the first tent, before we took it back.
The strong men set up camp AND carried the babies on the backs!
Zayden loved chilling in the backpack. He loves to see everything and be right in the center of the action.
This tent was originally supposed to be a play pen just for the two babies, Zayden and Amelia to keep them off the dirt. Well Porter and Emmett both decided that it was essential for them to be in it. It looked like too much fun to be left out of it. This was one of the best things we brought!
Timmy, Christine, Julie, and Matt
On Saturday we wanted to go hiking. Well in the middle of the hike, it started to POUR. Since I didn't have a hat for Zayden we stuck a hoodie over me and him. At first, he thought it was funny, but he wouldn't keep it on. He had to be right in the rain feeling the drops! This little boy does not like to be covered.
So here he is after the hike. Dripping wet and happy! (On the white truck in the background, you can see the water pouring off of it. )
So after all the rain, we were tired of being wet. Hence, the tarp! We didn't want another repeat of a wet, cold night so we put the tarp over our tent and our eating area. Wonderful idea!
Sunday was beautiful and we all were glad for the break from the rain. So we went swimming on the little lake. Zayden loved crawling in the sand, sitting in the sand, and stuffing his mouth with sand. It was not fun to clean him up after this!
Our typical evenings with the fire!
Emmett wanted to roast marshmallows. His stick was about 4 inches long and he stood about 3 feet away from the fire. Poor little marshmallow didn't even get warm. :)
Zayden loved camping! We were constantly covering him with bug spray so he wouldn't be eaten alive by the mobs of mosquitoes. But he was happy!
Justin is in heaven when he's around a campfire and not having a care in the world!
Matt played football with his boys. This was fun to watch.
Look at that smile!
Montana- Moving Maughan Farms in Fort Benton, MT to a Ranch in Hysham, MT
Flying to Montana. Zayden LOVED the plane and was an excellent traveler!
This was a normal sight in the beginning of the flights. He loved looking out the window.
If he wasn't looking out the window, he was pulling on the guy's hat in front of him or the old lady's hair. Or he was playing with the tray on the back of the seat. Up and down, up and down.
When he wasn't looking out the window, or bothering the guy in front of him, he was asleep in my arms. :) I loved it!
Our first time as a family flying together!
So we were helping Justin's family move their farm to a ranch 5 hours away. We were packing things up in the house and on the farm then loading up semi's, trucks, horse trailers and moving things across state. Back and forth for a week and a half. But we did have time to grill and enjoy each other's company!
Dinner with the family.
Whenever Zayden sees anyone eating, he feels like he should be too. He wants what you are having and is pretty insistent. He is starting to throw temper tantrums. He's only 10 1/2 months old!
Family four-wheeling tour of the ranch. Zayden LOVED it! He had to be standing and have his face in the wind.
My two best boys. Look at that hair, mohawk for my son, goatee for my man.
Zayden loves being on daddy's shoulders and holding onto his ears.
Nanny and Zayden
A view of the ranch from the top of a mountain. The terrain is completely different from the farm. It's so relaxing here and lots of camping ground. Fun hunting ground, four wheeling ground, and horse riding mountains. We love the new place!
Beautiful flowers up on the mountains.
I was relaxing while the boys were shooting gophers!
Jana, Steve, and Aaron
Lots of wildlife on the ranch!
There was an AMAZING lightening storm on the ranch. There was no thunder or rain at first. Just a beautiful lightening storm that lit everything up for an hour. Here's some of my favorite shots.
Zayden is obsessed with balls. Any size, any shape! He plays catch with himself. He'll throw the ball, then crawl after it, then do all over again for hours! I'm going to have to sign him up for lots of sports to keep up with his energy.
One of my favorite shots of my boys. These two are my life and I love them so much!
We had such a blast on our little vacation. It was so nice to have some time together and not have Justin busy with school. But I am so glad to be home now. Back to our routines and quiet lives. Vacations do make you appreciate your daily life, but then your daily life makes you appreciate vacations. Live to work, work to play and the cycle just circles.
