Sunday, March 28, 2010

White Sands New Mexico Circa 1982

I found this little gem while going through my dad's belongings this week. Here we are in the famed White Sands National Monument where you can bake on the sand like a little weenie in a biscuit. I remember a couple of trips to White Sands; my parents thought it was really awesome. And I guess, it sort of is. Gwynn and Phil liked to take us to lots of cool places, and my mom would always follow the visit up with the same quip, "Not bad for poor people."

On this particular trip, I remember some sandwiches out of ice chest being consumed, then lunch was followed with either card board or garbage bags being used to slide down the giant hills of sand. Of course, pictured below is mom and dad and me and charlie. Yes, I look like a boy with a dorthy hamill cut. Just go with it. No, my sister isn't wearing shoes. We did a lot of non shoe wearing. My mom and dad were what i like to call, "free spirits" ok?



I also remember I was able to get a souvenir: a paper weight with a scorpion in suspended animation in the sort of amber-tree sap sort of way. I had that paper weight until at least college. If you are wondering, "why white sands?" Well, my family drove from Dallas, TX to California every summer. We always stopped in El Paso to see my granddad. Often, we'd do excursions around that area. I guess mom was right....for poor people, we didn't do too bad.

Monday, March 15, 2010

This Is How We Camp....Now...

Scott and I took the girls to Tyler State Park for about 24 hours of fun. Before kids, we would have stayed several days with lots of late nights and naps. But, one night seems just right at this point in our lives. In a Texas State Park, you don't need a fishing license. It's free. Scout LOVED fishing. Scott was really patient with the girls even when Brooke drowned the bait (worms). The picture below is of my morning coffee brewing....

Brooke's "fishing pole."

Christy brought Cale out for a couple of hours to visit. Brooke enjoyed playing with him at the camp and on the playground (and even in the fire pit).

Night Crawlers anyone...?


Scout casting...

Camper is kid friendly...
Christy...

My prized pony...

Scout with her new fishing pole and fishing hat (from WalMart, duh)...
We are gearing up (practicing ) for our big week long camping trip in June in Flagstaff, AZ. We may have to get back out to Tyler for more "practice."