Fall Break 2013

I prefer to be on the beach soaking up the last of summer's rays during Fall break,

but this year we decided to go up North to the chilly pines.

We thoroughly enjoyed spending the week in this lake front cabin.

There's 3 boats, a fire pit, huge deck, plenty of seating inside and out,

and sleeps up to 12 people!

Morning view from the deck

Loving the fall colors <3

Everything looked so blue and the reflections were beautiful!

It was peaceful in every way even though 9 of us were sharing only 1500 sq.ft. of indoor space.

I actually liked the fact that we were all "squished together".

I think we tend to get lost in our huge homes.

A lady once told me that she felt she lived a richer life with her family when they had much less.

My life definitely feels richer when I share it with my loved ones.

Materialistic things come and go...

I never realized how incredibly loud ducks are!

Beautiful, blue reflection <3

We had lots of game time, laughing time, eating time, drinking time...

and...

 I had a lot of time to reflect on my life...

Things from the past, things I've learned, things I still need to do...

I had time to think about the people in my life...

Who brings out the best in me, who brings out the worst...

Being disconnected from everyone for a while can sometimes be healing :)

Spending some quality time together...

You'd think that Dale and I spend loads of time together now that he works from home but I actually feel it's quite the opposite.  He works so hard all the time.  Being self-employed means, much.more.work.

It was nice to go on a little boat ride with him. :)

Papa took four of the kids on a boat ride.

Most of the days there were very cold.

By cold I mean mid 50's.

That's freezing to me!

It rained and hailed one of the days which was okay cause we stayed inside and made yummy hot chocolate and worked on two puzzles together :)

Everything was perfect... the only thing missing was my mom and dad.

Really, really wished they could have come. <3

We usually don't take Wilson with us on vacation.

I was really happy to know that we could bring him along on this trip.

He was crazy in love with all the different smells and I'm sure the cooler weather was a real treat for him!  He played hard all day and slept like a rock at night :)

Austin running off with Wilson's new favorite stick!

Happy dog and his stick :)

He is quite the little blessing to our family... love this little guy <3

Making memories is what it's all about.

I want my sons to have cherished memories when they grow up.

Family time is GOLDEN.

  My Favorite childhood memories are from when we would go to the beach in Mexico every year.  They were the most peaceful and happy moments of my life.

Never miss the opportunity to capture a magical moment....

One of my nieces listening to her music and soaking up

the last bit of sun before sunset :)

Girls being girls.  My niece dancing around in the sun :)

If you're looking for a nice, cozy cabin to escape to, you must look up Jack's Cabin.  It gets fully booked in the summer and usually around Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I'll definitely think about going back but next time, when it's a weeeeeeeee bit warmer!!

http://www.jackscabin.com

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

I've driven past the Arboretum at least a zillion times.  I'm an Arizona Native and I'm so sad it took me this long to finally go but sooooooo happy that I finally went a few weeks ago!

I don't know if it always feels as magical as it felt that day but I'm absolutely in love with this place.  So much so, I've been wanting to go back every weekend.

William Boyce Thompson founded the arboretum in the 1920's.

It is the largest and oldest botanical garden in Arizona. 

I believe this is called the Queen Butterfly

Pipevine Swallowtail

The Pipevine Swallowtail's wings turn blue when the

suns hits them in certain ways.  So pretty :)

This is Drover's wool shed and it's surrounded

by huge Eucalyptus trees.

Drover's wool shed, one bedroom.

Love the hanging boots :)

Drover's wool shed kitchen and eating area.

Drover's wool shed - Love the different woods used

to build this little place :)

Love the details....

and I love this truck in Drover's yard.

Dodge Power Wagon 1957

I love playing with the sun :)

Found this cool maze made from stones.

It's amazing how the morning sun gives

this place such a magical feel <3

Here is the Clevenger home.  This tiny home was

built in 1915... and it's built right up against that rock.

It has a small living area in the front

and two small bedrooms in the back.

Mr. Clevenger, his wife and 5

children lived here.

This is one of the rooms in the Clevenger House.

I stood in there for about 5 minutes just trying to

imagine 5 children sleeping in this tiny room.

I can imagine it got real cold in the winter.

The rock wall has indentations in it.  Not

sure if they're natural or man made but you can

 tell that that is probably where they put their candles.

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is

really an amazing garden.  There is

so so sooooo much more to see than

what I pictured.  They have all kinds

of cool classes and guided tours as well.

If you live in Arizona and you haven't been there.... I suggest you pack a lunch and head over there for the day!  It's got to be even more beautiful right now with the cooler temps and changing leaves :)

Click to visit their site!

BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM

Beavers "ALMOST" Ruined My Coffee

Sometimes it's better not knowing. But since I know, I'm gonna let you know!  Apparently, a lot of companies use beaver butt secretions for "natural vanilla" flavoring and that is just wrong! And for two whole days, I've been moping around and I've been very tempted to throw out my Coffee-mate Vanilla Flavored creamer.

I know it's loaded with calories... so maybe this isn't such a bad thing but I look so forward to my coffee every morning that if I don't get me some good coffee, I get a bit grumpy!

My hubs can't bear to see me so moody sad so he got online to find out if Coffee-mate uses beaver poo... 

Drum roll please......

GOOD NEWS!!

My hubs found this Facebook post on Coffee-mate's page.  Thanks to this bearded dude for saving my family a lot of grouchy mornings!! :)

READ ON:

THANK YA! THANK YA!

Have a wonderful weekend!  Fall Break! YAY!!! :) xo