Ten For Tuesday - Fall Break

Super Fun Fall Break
1.  Began with trip to Munds Park as blogged earlier.  Then on Thursday (10/11) we went to AZ Science Center in the morning and had a wonderful time...highlights were the LEGO room, wheelchair races, nose sneezing, weather circle and technology room.
2.  Thursday evening we loaded up the car for a 2 night camp out with the Elledges, G&G Wolfley and the Backus family at Potato Patch Campground outside of Jerome, AZ at 7,000 feet.  Elevation is especially noted.
3.  Luckily, some of the group went up early and set up our tent, so when we arrived in the dark at 7pm we were able to just load the already set up tent with our sleeping bags.  Note to self...we must invest in a lantern in the tent.
4.  The air was chilly and it had been threatening rain.  At about 9:30pm after eating smores we felt the first raindrops and we all headed to bed.  Thanks to the over head clouds we were warm in our tent, but those clouds dropped rain all night long.  Not a downpour and not a drizzle.  Just constant.  We did wake up dry, but it was chilly.  Had we been a little farther north we would have seen snow like they did in Flagstaff after the Thursday night storm.
5.  Morning time brought everyone out...either dry and ready to lay on layers for the chilly air, or frozen and ready to go.  After a warm pancake breakfast made by Vern and lots of hot chocolate...my in laws and the Backus family decided to head home and not stay.  We were sad they left.

Vern getting breakfast ready

Grandma Wolfley with her grand kids

Kids staying warm in their parents bed in the morning

6.  After lunch the clouds cleared and the sun came out.  The kids explored the campground, every bit, and had fun on fallen logs and in tunnels.  The campground was nice and until the evening only one other family was there.

Cousins sitting on a log

Kids jumping for joy because the sun came out!

The Tunnel they all went through, under a road

7.  Grandpa Wolfley brought up his 4 wheelers and the kids had a grand time on them.  Especially my nephew, Tait, who turned 2 that day.  Don't try to get him off of it without a fight.  We even saw a tarantula on our exploring...glad it was far from our campsite.

Dad and Meghan

Mom and Elena

Benjamin and Mom

Dad and Natalie

Dad and Little Vern

8.  We ate a yummy dinner from the dutch ovens along with food all day long.  You can't say we were unprepared for food.  When we went to bed that evening we didn't do such a great job of putting food away.  About 15 minutes after going to bed I heard a loud CLANG.  I wasn't about to go out and explore.  I thought whatever it is will be gone in the morning.  It was...but so was the rest of the Texas Sheet cake we hadn't finished.  That animal knew good food and couldn't wait for us to go to sleep.

Texas Sheet cake eating by night time animal

9.  We woke up Saturday morning to a nice chilly morning again, but this time with sun.  The kids played all morning while we slowly took camp down.  Two nights of camping is so much better than one.

Abigail, Natalie and Olivia rest on a log

Benjamin helping Father Vern gather firewood

Meghan and Natalie getting warm by the fire in the chilly morning.

10.  It was such a good trip for our family.  It was good to be out of our regular norm and really enjoy ourselves together.  I don't understand why we get along so well when we are out of our norm.  Somehow I hope to get that to happen at home.  I am glad we had the time this fall break to break away twice as a family.  Love them to pieces!