Beat the Heat!

It may be CRAZY hot here, but we are blessed with the ability to drive UP 4000+ feet to cooler temperatures.  It is usually a good 20 degrees cooler in our neighboring Cloudcroft, which only takes 30 minutes to get to. 

After weeks of 100 degree weather, I finally decided the kids needed to get out anyway, and we headed up the mountain.  There are a couple playgrounds up there and the kids are always thrilled to go.  I enjoy the cool temperatures and it even started to rain!

Sadly, I cannot take credit for Molly's hair styles. :)

"I'd like to buy a blind camel?"

You seriously can't make this stuff up!  This evening, we decided to take the kids out to the dunes for some sand sledding.  The temperatures had finally gotten below 100 (but only for today) so we took advantage of the cold front.  It's going to be in the 100's for the rest of the week, so it was now or not for a while.

So, we get to our sledding spot and what do we see?  A man walking his camel!  No really!  I figured it was nice of him to take his camel all the way out into the desert for a walk.  Do you suppose the camel gets home sick?  To top it all off, the man walking the camel could have been Santa Claus! 

We may live in the middle of no where, but this place never ceases to amaze me.

It's Good to be a Kid!

Look out Benny!!!

I'm really surprised Benny never jumped into the pool!  He LOVES water!

Time for some after pool cookies!  You don't have to wait an hour AFTER swimming!

This girl sure enjoys her cookies.  She definitely inherited her mommy's sweet tooth!

Happy Father's Day!!!!

Sneaking up on his unsuspecting pray. :)  (with his father's day present)

Jackson thinks he found a good spot to dodge bullets!

Is there no place safe from Daddy!?!?!?!

What a great start to Father's Day!  The kids brought him cards, his new water gun, and breakfast (McDonald's) in bed!

A Couple Super Happy Kids!

What a way for Jason to spend his Saturday before Father's Day!  Doing one of the biggest Dad jobs!  He put together a brand new swing set (with a little help from a good friend).  We ordered the kids "playground" about two weeks ago.  It came Thursday afternoon and the kids have been eagerly awaiting it's assembly!  Jason was up bright and early and  got to work around 7:30am.  Kyle came over around 10:00 to lend a hand.  Around 2:00, it was ready!  Of course, I was a terrible mother and made the kids go down for a nap at 1:00 and weren't allowed to come out until 3:00.  Torture, I know, but Molly did actually fall asleep!  We are looking forward to enjoying our backyard playground for many years to come!

Since Jackson never fell asleep at naptime, he was the first one up and ready to play!

But Molly didn't take too long to get up. :)

Of course, they're learning to go UP the slide one at a time.

Giving BIG hugs and saying "Thank you!" to Daddy for their swing set!

You knew this was bound to happen.  :)  Don't worry.  He checked the weight requirements for it.

Fun in the Sun!

June seems to be the hottest month of the year, so water becomes our best friend!

Shakin' what her momma gave her!

He's so stinkin' handsome!

Sometimes you need a little teamwork to get the job done.



I'm not sure what part of this photo I love more!  Her amazing hula-hooping ability, or the outfit she's wearing!  Yes, she dressed herself!