My little "Herd"

Yesterday was "dress like a cow, get free food" day at Chick-fil-A. :) A sweet friend from church told me about it last year, and the tradition began! It's worth the feeling of stupidity you get when you first step out of your car...once inside, there's typically a whole "herd" of people just like you. ;) My husband is sweet to put up with my craziness, and love for good deals...and delicious food. It saves him money too! Hope you enjoy the pictures....they're not the best. I have more on my camera. Our friend Ruben went with us too, but didn't want to look like a cow... Maybe one day I'll get around to posting the super cute picture of Ruben & Aspen that was taken...

Vacation 2012 - Part 6 - Headed Home

The time to go home was upon us quicker than ever. We woke up extra early on Saturday morning, thus got up and finished packing. Mama sent us on our way with Hot Chocolate and Pig in the blankets. She's the best. 

We were headed to Dumas, Texas that day, so we stopped at Arby's in Raton for lunch. 

This is the part of the trip that I'm SOOOOO sad that I somehow didn't get any pictures!!!! I must of just turned my brain off or something, because I totally missed it. :( We arrived in Dumas around 3 or 4ish, and were welcomed with such love from the McCaslin family. I used to work for the McCaslin's before they left the League City area. It was such a wonderful time to visit and get caught up with them. They treated us royally. They prepared a feast of dinner, which we enjoyed so much. Brian & I both agreed we wish we'd skipped lunch so we could have eaten more of the wonderful dinner. The evening was so very relaxing for us. TJ so patiently chased Aspen, and Bree-Anna waited on us all, hand & foot. The Daddy's and kiddos swam in the pool, while use ladies sat by the side visiting. Again, it was so nice. Breakfast the next morning was perfect, and we left their house with full arms & tummies...All of us!!! Thank you McCaslin's for such a incredible end to our vacation!!! 

Dumas to League City is quite the drive with a little one, but...by God's Grace I can now say it is attainable! :) We stopped in Decatur, TX for lunch at DQ then we pushed it the rest of the way.

Aspen was SO tired. 

...of her car seat!!

Thank you to everyone who prayed for our trip. The Lord blest it abundantly!!! Thank you Brian for taking us!  I truly enjoyed the special time away with my precious family!

Vacation 2012 - Part 5 - Last Day

On our last day at the cabin, we finally made it to Big Lake. (That's quite comical for my family! Typically, we accomplish Big Lake the first/second day.) Along the way up to the lake, we passed a herd of cows...You'll have to ask Brian about the cows. He has a little story, and now carries the same opinion as Caleb about cows in CO. I was very proud of him, he put up with alot this year, and did GREAT! 

Some of the Cows

Big Lake

We ate lunch at the lake, did some fishing, then the rain moved in. Both Brian & Daddy caught a few fish each.

We tied Aspen up in the BabyHawk and down the trail we headed. (Thank you for the Babyhawk! We LOVE it still!!!!) It started raining almost instantly, thus the ponchos and raincoats were put on...all except me. I gave mine to Brian & Aspen...Brian forgot his. Poor Aspen, the poncho completely covered her, but she was warm, dry, and could breathe just time. :) We hadn't gotten far from the lake when lightening struck somewhere at the lake. We all jumped...you'll have to ask Brian about that too. :) We continued down the trail til it started hailing (very small!), and then we stopped and hung out under some willow bushes until it let up. To me, hiking in CO isn't complete without such an adventure. Brian, would be happy to live without it. :) Again, he was a trooper, and I was very proud of him. Aspen slept through everything after that big lightening bolt.

After we showered & dried out, it was time to begin packing and re-loading the van...

Vacation 2012 - Part 4 - July 4th

Independence Day! We all wore our Navy Patriotic shirts. Even Aspen had one. The rain didn't seem to look like it'd be blowing in too quickly, so after a delicious breakfast of blueberry muffins, eggs, and bacon we loaded up and drove to the end of the road; also known as the trail-head for Three-Forks. Once there we took pictures, stretched our legs, got a snack, and headed back to the cabin. We beat the rain, just in time!

Aspen discovered the rocks/dirt road. Paw Paw taught her to 'count' to three and throw them. She did!

It was discovered last year, if you stand still with your hands at the hummingbird feeder, the birds will eventually calm down and land on your hands...

Aspen loved my big water bottle...

As tradition would have it, we took a family picture on July 4th...only instead of it being at Big Lake, it had to be at the cabin due to the rain.

Mama cooked some delicious hamburgers that night for dinner! It was a wonderful 4th of July!

Vacation 2012 - Part 3 - Lake Fork Ranch

Monday was our official first day at the Ranch. We took it easy, only hiking a little ways to get acclimated, and simply enjoy our vacation. Daddy taught Brian how to fly-fish, and patiently coached Brian along each day. Brian did great learning, and had it figured out by the time we came home. I'm so proud of him. 

The Monsoon Season has hit the area of Colorado that we visit, thus it rained every day...so, we spent a good amount of time at the cabin just resting & visiting...and chasing Aspen.

Eagerly watching and waiting for Daddy & PawPaw to climb the hill.

Due to the bad dirt road conditions, not having a 'high' vehicle, and the rain, Daddy felt it would be best if we stayed at the Ranch most the time. We were fine with that since that would me less hiking, and carrying Aspen. So, on Tuesday, we continued on up the trail at the Ranch to Rock Lake, and a bit further through the canyon to the meadow below Big Lake. 

Aspen enjoyed playing with our hats.

Brian, Aspen and I went for a walk as Mom prepared dinner. We just wandered the Ranch for a little while, but were interrupted by the owner of the Outfitters who was quite friendly and chatting...and, me being chatty, got stuck for a few minutes. Needless to say, we never made it to see the horses and originally planned.

'Our' Cabin...the name of it..."Aspen"

Looking up the hill at the newer cabins

Aspen LOVED the hummingbirds! One flew into the house, and just like Paw Paw Strait did once, I scooped it up in my hands and carried it outside. I told Mama that PawPaw would be proud of me...

This wasn't fun, but part of the trip. Aspen picked up a couple splinters on the trail that day, thus we tried to get them out. Brian was able to get some, but not too much. She still has some souvenirs from the trip...need to work at it again...

Vacation 2012 - Part 2 - Colorado

We spent Saturday night in Amarillo, Texas. Brian treated us to an extra special dinner at Red Lobster! We were tired after such a fun weekend in Stephenville, so after dinner and a quick stop at a park for Aspen to get some wiggles out, we headed back to the hotel for an early bedtime. Sunday morning we packed up and headed out decently early. In case some of you are wondering...we counted 100 Antelope from Clayton, NM to Raton, NM. :) (I saw more, but wasn't able to count them fast enough, so Brian had me settle with 100 since I knew for sure I'd counted that many.) We stopped in Trinidad, CO for lunch...Aspen enjoyed her plain bean burrito. It was SO nice actually stopping for lunch. I'm used to picking it up and going again, but we would stop so Aspen could have a break from the car. It helped her so much. 

From Trinidad we headed north to Walsenburg, then west to Alamosa. After getting fishing liscenses, groceries, and the best Domino's pizza ever, we went south/west to the Conejos River, and ultimately the Lake Fork Ranch. Aspen fought her sleep that entire day, but couldn't make it past the comfy vibrating of the  dirt road we turned on to, to reach the cabin.

Vacation 2012 - Part 1 - Stephenville

Okay! June 28, 2012, Brian, Aspen and I headed out for our family vacation. YAY!!! Brian was incredibly sweet and kept my family tradition of stopping to get donuts on the way out of town. Aspen especially enjoyed the special treat of donut holes. I must say, the glazed donuts were delicious!! I was disappointed in my sausage and cheese kolache..wasn't as good as they usually are. (...to my northern friends, I'll buy you a kolache when you come visit me. :))

The goal of the day was to arrive safely in Stephenville, Texas to visit Charlie, Magan, Gabby, Eric & Daniel Carrasco - some of our sweet friends whom we rarely see...(Charlie, Magan & Brian are 'old' Galveston friends, and Charlie stood in our wedding.) That evening we went to a fun little restaurant with them called "Montana's". We had fried pickles for the first time, served with Ranch Dip for dipping. MMMMM!!! I loved it...and Aspen did too, especially the dip part. The whole meal was delicious, and fellowship even better. 

After dinner we headed back to the house to hang out and visit. Aspen only slept for about an hour that day, so we were surprised (and proud) of how well she was behaving. It continued to get later, and she just kept on going. One of the boys got some drumsticks and began 'beating' on a laundry basket. Aspen quickly decided she wanted in on the fun too. In case you're wondering, Aspen won't be playing the drums in the future...Paw Paw already says Tuba. ;)

 

Friday was spent resting, and catching up. After Aspen's naptime that day we headed over to a friend's house where we had a fun evening swimming and grilling out, chips & fruit...Charlie grilled delicious sausages & brats!! We were invaded a few times by TEXAS sized yellowjackets; I kid you not on the size. They. were. huge. And, somehow they enjoyed landing on or close to my little girl.

Saturday morning we loaded up and continued on our journey to Colorado.