Bandelier Hiking Adventure

A few days ago Maria and I went to the Bandelier National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm) with some friends. It was an excellent adventure! They had a junior ranger program for the kids, which is an activity book they give for the kids to complete. It contains relevant information for the park and teaches them about the forest. It also keeps them occupied so a 3 hour hike turns into playtime! After completing the activities they got to recite the junior ranger pledge and got a sew-on "badge".

Here are a bunch of pictures from our hike! (Don't forget, you can click on the images and see the big version of it)

Maria, Ainsley & Keira

If you look closely you can see a petroglyph of a sun 

Inside one of the 'caves'

Junior rangers in progress

Maria had to go in almost
every single one she could
fit in

We climbed several of these.... 

Maria... she looks so grown up... *sigh*

Looking into one house that went further back
(we couldn't go in this one)

Inside a house, looking at its windows

Petroglyphs that have been preserved with glass

We didn't climb this one, too high for the little ones! 

Learning about tree rings

Picnic lunch 

Birthday ribs!

So I totally forgot to post the picture of my burnt (TO A CRISP) ribs...

Majorly BURNT ribs... see previous posts from January!

I must say tho, he did make up for by "suffering" through a nice meal with me at an Indian restaurant. 

Arkansas Trip

So Back in March we took a road trip to visit my mom. It was a pretty long drive but we did ok! Our niece Katrina came with us and I think she had a good time! Here are a few pictures of our trip.

  There were so many flowers for
Maria to pick!

Troy, Mom & Maria

Cooper and Maria. 2 years apart in age but pretty much the same size!

Katrina

Troy's mother, with Maria and my mom

Big old boot.. was the restaurant we
stopped at in Amarillo, Tx.

Maria's lunch cam in this hat... kinda funny.. (it wasn't just *in*
the hat, but in a basket or something else placed in the hat..)

What? Spring? How'd that get here so quick!

Well again I start a post by saying its been a long time! I guess trying to keep a 4 year old busy and happy takes a lot of time! So currently I'm finding time by having her sit next to me on another computer and play her computer games! Yes, she's gotten quite savvy with the computer (which is a frightening thought!) but in this world it will benefit her in the future (I hope!), if nothing else it gives me some peace and quiet to write!

So what's been happening.. Easter came and went. It was a nice day and the kids had their annual easter egg hunt around their grandparents house.

The crazy eggs we decorated

Grabbing an egg Easter morning

Egg hunt with her friends in our back yard

Maria's friends who came to the egg hunt!

Easiest chocolate chip muffins!

Had to post these coz they are a favorite! Not too sweet and super easy.
Since I use a mini muffin pan, I go for the mini chocolate chips..

Another Birthday!

Well I just has another birthday. I don't like the whole getting older thing but I did have an enjoyable day with my family & friends. I spent the morning with some friends then Joe met Maria and I for lunch. Then I had ribs taken out for supper for Joe to bbq.. now normally Joe does a really good job with the bbq... However this was not one of those times! I had been out at my exercise class and as I was driving home I got the following messages..

"We have a major problem with dinner"

"I suspect the ribs are inedible"

"Because they are on fire!!!!!!!!!"

I'll post the picture one if these days! But ut was an enjoyable birthday regardless!

Yes finally a music program...

So my sister at least will be happy to know that Maria and I are starting a music class this friday. Its a class of about 10 kids and their parent/caregiver, plus the teacher of course. We'll be doing some sort of interactive music songs and instrumental activities as far as I can tell. I'll let you know in a few days how it goes!

Here's the webpage for the international group http://www.musictogether.com/Home
And here's the local one where we'll be! http://www.creatingsomething.com/