Sunday, April 30, 2006

Sand Dunes Camping Trip

Today, we returned from our 6th Annual Sand Dunes Camping Trip. Our weekend started with some nasty weather, but we ended on a sunny note and a milestone reached.

On Friday, the weather was cold and snowy, but we all had heaters and stuck it out only to be rewarded with primo campsites and beautiful hiking weather.

Emily, Reese, Amanda (Reese's friend who came along on the trip) and some of the other kids from our camping crew made it to the very top peak of the Dunes. This was the first year for doing this and they were all very excited and very tired when they got back to camp.

Walking along a sand ridge.

Snow on the Dunes. A first for us!




Roasting marshmallows around the campfire.

Jeff and our friend Kevin toasting to Kevin's 40th birthday and the fact that this was the farthest they had been on the Dunes.

The Mulder Girls

Emily in front of a snowy Mt. Blanca with another front moving in.

Friday, April 21, 2006

Art Work by Noelle

Here is a picture that Noelle drew of herself and Jeff for his birthday. I was impressed by her observation that he has short hair and that her hair is brown and she has green eyes. However, I don't know if she could not find a blue crayon or if she thinks Jeff has red eyes. Artistic freedom, I guess?

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Easter

Easter Sunday was spent with Paul, Judy, Marie, Jessica and Julia. Paul made a fabulous 'turducken' and all of our favorite sides: Chipotle Sweet Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, and Peas with Pearl Onions and Artichokes. For dessert, I made a Rhubarb Swirl Cheesecake. The leftover cheesecake stayed with Paul so that I would not be tempted to eat it on the way home.

The girls hunted for Easter eggs and it is very possible that a few eggs are waiting to be found somewhere on the property.

The girls were also able to go to Amos and Dana's (Long-time friends of Paul and Judy and 'country neighbors') house to ride the horses. They also received lessons in cooling down the horses and had a really good time.






Saturday, April 01, 2006

Spring Break 2006

At the entrance to the park.



On the shuttle to Hermit's Rest.

I don't know if you will be able to see it, but a rainbow formed in the canyon during a brief respite from the snow shower.

On the morning that we were to leave Arizona, a blanket of gropple coated our campsite.
A couple of goof-offs.

View of the Grand Canyon with the Colorado River to the right.


The girls on a piece of lava rock in front of Capulin Volcano.

Emily doing her Mr. Spock impression.

Here we are inside the crater of Capulin Volcano.


This past week was spent at the Grand Canyon (South Rim) and Capulin Volcano in Raton, NM.

Our trip to the Grand Canyon was marked with cold and snowy weather. Otherwise, we were awed by the scenery and wished that the weather was more cooperative so that we could have done some hiking and a little more sight-seeing.

The volcano was very neat in that we were able to walk into the crater of the volcano. This was very interesting and also very different from our trip to Mt. St. Helens last year.