Matthew's 10 on 1-4-11

Whenever one of our boys turns ten they get to go on a camping trip with Eddie to Joshua tree. This year was Matthew's turn. They sleep in the back of the car, have a breakfast cookout in the morning with little smokies, and go for rock climbing hikes...as well as a bit of extra special devotion time with papa.

Here are the sleeping quarters. This year it snowed and was FREEZING!! They got in the car pretty early but Eddie ended up waking around 10pm. Wide awake and a touch of claustrophobia he wasn't sure he was willing to hang in the car until morning. So, breaking tradition they went here to get a good nights sleep......

....Can you find the name in the beautiful comforter?

In the morning they went back to the camp sight to keep with tradition and eat a ymmuy breakfast in the freezing cold weather. 

Yes those white specks are snow. Brr! Notice Matthew's hands in his pockets.

    He has the best eyes!!...

    ....sometimes!!! :)

Him and Eddie have the same sense of humor!

Snow Trip!

We finished last year off with a quick trip to the snow on New Years Eve! It was beautiful but FREEZING!! Two of the boys were crying by the time we left because their fingers hurt from cold!  We took hand warmers but they didn't activate until we were down the mountain. We just went and found a place to sled. Normally we got to the tubing place but it isn't cheap. this was WAY better. We will go again but will open the hand warmers on the way up the mountain. :)

We didn't bring the boogie board but it is a good idea.  Someone up there wanted to trade with Matthew. 

I think Daniel is the one who had the most fun. He just kept going the entire time we were there. 

Here comes Critter!!! I love how Eddie is holding him. hahaha

He wanted to go again so I took him. I rolled the sled right after this picture. I rolled right on top of him. He wasn't very happy with me after that. 

Safari Day

The boys go with Eddie to an annual Safari Day that is held up in Corona. It is always a guaranteed great day. My mom was in town and it was during that July heat wave so we opted to stay home in the air conditioning with the baby.  Here are some pics of their activities.

I love how hard he tries at everything. he is SO determined. He does everything with all his might.

Apparently Matthew was the only one who could get the dog to retrieve the mark. It looks like the dog is about to take off but he had to stay until Matthew gave the command. All the other boys used their regular voice so Matthew decided to try a low voice like the dogs master. It worked and the dog fetched! 

Good doggy!

That's my boy! I really wish we could go climbing together in the real mountains. I would love that. Maybe when he is older we can taking a mountaineering class together.  Him and I are the adventurous ones. We always talk about being on The Amazing Race together. Love him.

April Snow Run

This is our spot we go to. Not that we go every year but we try. We wanted to go off the beaten path but we figured we needed a spot, the "lodge", to escape to with the baby. Turns out it was a gorgeous day and warm enough to just sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. We had the best time.

Here is Daniel all nice and snug in his tube. 

Here is mine! Now how am I suppose to fit into that? Talk about snug! Yes, I tried. Yes, I failed. Yes, it was a hilarious disaster. Eddie and I laughed so hard. Needless to say I traded it in for another tube after one run on it.

The people mover.

Why is my son walking down the slope?

Downhill view.

Uphill view. Thanks for the push son!

It was simply gorgeous! Look at that strange but wonderful cloud!

Mud - Round 3

Today was the first day of sunshine in 5 days. The boys were eager to get back out to their "hole" to do who knows what! I guess it is just all about digging it deeper. They put pants on the day the sun was shining, go figure!

Poor Daniel. I think he wants a shovel.

Not sure what his purpose was but he was having a good time feeling like a man.

Good hard labor! Wish they were as diligent in the house.

They think this is their "turf" but I am thinkin' that maybe in spring I can plant a few trees since half the work is already done.

Mud - Round 2

It was POURING and their hole filled up with water FAST! We aren't use to that in Ca. So I had to dig out their raincoats and insist they put boots on, which I also had to dig out. The shorts, well let's just say their legs froze!

This was their new game, jumping on the upside down sled and making it to the other side without landing in the freezing, muddy water.

Piece of cake for Matthew. Your turn Daniel.

Okay, let's try it from the other side. Matthew is patiently waiting to see Daniel succeed.

He just needs to steady the sled in the middle...

...wait, maybe it just needs to move over some more. Matthew, "I'm going inside!"

Back to the other side to "fix" it....

...and then edging along the fence to the "better" side...

He stood there for the longest time. He was audibly talking himself through it. "I go to gymnastics!" At  one point he slipped and almost fell in. Am I a horrible mom for secretly wishing he would fall in just so I could get a good "shot"?

Finally!!! In the course of his arranging the sleds he had put all three together for a sturdier hold. After his first successful attempt he went down to one sled and started "retalking" himself through it. "I did it with three!" He is persistent and brave! He insisted I leave because I was a distraction. He ate it and came to the house crying. I missed my shot!