Life As We Know It: July 2008

The Pint-Sized Scholar

Every once in a while my garage sale habit will result in a good find. Last Saturday we happened upon this precious antique desk just the right size for our budding pupil. Brooke knew this was her desk right away. She hopped right in the chair and once she had paper and pen, she went right to work. I see an honor roll bumper sticker in my future.

Bouncy and Air Conditioned

Thanks to our friends Emily & Grace for introducing us to our new favorite play place! The coolest thing about this indoor bouncy playground is that moms can play too (as long as everyone is wearing socks of course).

It took some convincing to get her out of this car and on to the slides.

Where's the horn on this thing?

Starting to explore...

Ready to go on the slide all by myself!

Fun in Red River

We had to stop the car to get this picture!

After packing up the ranch, we all headed to Red River for the Sumpter Family Reunion. We enjoyed visiting with relatives and yummy potluck dinners. The weather was nice and cool, a little cold even on one day. This should be the last slide show :-)

Last Few Days at the Ranch

Here we are enjoying the rest of the time at the ranch.

Folsom Falls

Another off ranch excursion was to Folsom Falls, an isolated little stream and waterfall between the mountains. This is a very special place because this is where my Grandma Ree was baptized.

Aunt Darla & Mom

Inside a Volcano

One day we took a day trip to Mount Capulin, an extinct volcano pretty close to the ranch. I have memories of Capulin growing up, and it is still really cool each time I see it. We walked down into the inside, while a few in our group made the longer trail around the rim. On the way we saw a red-tailed hawk flying over us. So I had to get Brooke a stuffed and screeching one from the gift shop.

The "kids" at Capulin

My Favorite Place

Here are some pictures from the first few days at the ranch.

Family & Fireworks

When we finally got to the ranch, we were greeted with lots of hugs and smiles. Joining us from California were Aunt Darla & Gary, my cousins Carrie, Sharla, & Erin, their boyfriends/husbands Dan, Ben, & Bobby, and their collective kiddos Kori, Zac, Brayden, & Noah. Add that to Texans Mom, Dad, Kelly, David, me, and Brooke, and we had one crowded ranch house. Thankfully Erin & Ben brought an RV which housed several people for the week. We also brought bunkbeds which worked out nicely.

The evening of the 4th we went into Raton to watch the fireworks as we usually do on years we go to the ranch. It was a great show but Brooke was pretty scared.

Brayden (not too happy), Zachary, Noah, Brooke, & Gary

Happy Brayden

Spooked by the fireworks

poor baby

Warning: Vacation pictures ahead!

We have spent the last couple of weeks in New Mexico. The first part was spent at my family's ranch on top of a mesa, and the second part was a family reunion in Red River. We had a really fun time, and I took a ton of pictures. I will try to limit them to my favorites, so here we go!

July 3rd & 4th

And we're off! David picked us up from Colt's house and we were on the road. We stayed the night in Wichita Falls and met Aunt Joyce & Uncle Elton in Dumas the next day for lunch at El Rancho. Yum.

Patriotic girl