Day 2...A Deep Dark Hole

This was probably one of my most favorite days of our trip...Carlsbad Caverns. It was amazingly beautiful and HUGE! I had had pretty low expectations (I thought I would be claustrophobic), but this place is so BIG, you just don't feel that way. The caverns are 753 feet below the ground, and cover an amazing 600,000 sq. ft.

After we got up to ground level, I texted my psychologist father and told him that I had been in a deep dark hole, his reply "Climb out as fast as you can, it only gets worse if you stay down there, stop digging it makes things worse!" Only my Dad.

The rest of the day was spent making the trek to San Antonio. After we checked into the hotel, we went down to the Riverwalk (which is beautiful), ate dinner at the Rainforest Cafe (huge discussion on the cost of the souvenir alligator cups, which to my great frustration...we bought), and then on to see the Alamo at night...AWESOME!

Day 1..."We Come in Pieces"

"We come in pieces"....I know it is peace, but Ethan saw some commercial about aliens, and candy and coming in pieces....It was our favorite saying for Day 1 of our Vacation.

We went to Roswell New Mexico, where they say an alien landed...Do you believe it? Ethan definitely does. He has been wanting to go here for a while, so it was worth it just seeing the smile on his face!

A Larson Visit

It was wonderful to have James' family come to visit. The only thing that we were disappointed in was that they could not stay longer....or better yet, that we all didn't live closer together. Thank you Park and Sybil for the trip, it has been the highlight of our year!

Aztec Ruins with Park and Sybil

Another adventure that James took his parents on was a trip to Aztec Ruins.

James has always loved ruins since he was a boy, and thought it would be fun for his parent's to see some (when Rose came out in April, he took her too, and she was still willing to go back)!

Ethan also went and was their official tour guide.

Silverton Train Ride

We have been so blessed this last month to have so many relatives come to visit. James and I learned late August that Park, Sybil, Rosalind, CeCe, and Oliver were all coming for a visit. It was neat to have them come. James has missed his family so much, and has wanted his parents to come for a long time.

James had their days packed with adventure while they were here. The first trip was to go on a steam engine train. Park loves trains and James knew he would love it. The train leaves for Durango, and ends in an old ghost town called Silverton. It takes three hours to get there. James drove a car up there to pick them up (it is faster if you drive), but they were having so much fun, they decided to ride the train back down to Durango.

It was an adventure they all will never forget!

Rock Climbing with Katy and Jeff

Katy and Jeff came down from Utah to spend the weekend with us. We are lucky to have family so close. James, the boys, Katy and Jeff went out early one morning for some four wheeling and rock climbing. They had a blast! Thank goodness Jeff drove, so I didn't worry so much about any accidents. They also had all the rock climbing gear and the boys wanted to show off their newly learned skills. Thanks for coming Katy and Jeff, we loved having you!

Ethan earns the Arrow of Light

Can you say WooHoo!!!! Ethan worked hard all summer long, and finished his cub scout life a whole two months early. We are so proud of you! Ethan earned the highest cub scout award...The Arrow of Light!

To celebrate the family went to Three River's Pizza to celebrate....you can see a little pizza on E's face.