Meteor Crater

As I've already said a few times, Parker LOVES space.

So on our way home, We took a detour as we left the cabin to visit Meteor Crater

Cool Stuff about Meteor Crater:

--It's the crater that Shumaker studied and used to prove that many craters on Earth were caused by meteors, and not just volcanoes. (from this also came the idea of a meteor causing the extinction of the dinosaurs)

--Since Meteor crater was in some ways similar to the surface of the moon the Apollo mission trained for their moon walks at Meteor Crater.

Aria wanted me to take a picture of her with this tree.

One of the Apollo test modules

Me and my babies with a view behind us:

There were all kinds of stuff inside the museum so you could learn about meteors and stuff. I'm sad (and so was Parker) that we kind of had to rush through this part since it was getting to be naptime, and the girls were making it known.

we also got to watch a short film about the history of Meteor Crater.

Aria is such a lightweight she has a hard time keeping theater seats flat.

And then we hiked down to the bottom of the crater, see:

Obviously not, but they had this display so it could look like you were down at the bottom.

Hanging out at a lookout point

Silly wiggly Aria

Taking a closer look:

how many 4 year olds do you know that would be excited about a view like this?

Parker liked it though, since it was caused by a meteor and meteors come from space.

Another successful family field trip!

Lowell Observatory

Since Parker is totally into all things 'space' right now we decided to visit Lowell Observatory while we were at the cabin.

It was a family activity and field trip put together. 

Field trips as a family instead on a bus full of crazy kids?

 Homeschool=Awesome!

Lowell is in Flagstaff and is actually where Pluto was discovered.

First, here's Terra looking so super cute and colorful and warm!

My favorite people in front of the telescope.

Daddy taking a look

And Parker's turn. This telescope was set to view the moon, so we were able to see all the craters up close

We got to see a set of stars through another telescope, and walked through a few exhibits.

Here we are in front of a piece of meteorite that is at Lowell from Meteor Crater

They had a 3D Mars area, so you could look at pictures and maps of Mars in 3D.

My kids are cute anyway, but then with goofy glasses they are irresistible.

Sweet boy, so excited to learn about space

Try and tell me you don't love that face!

My cute Alien baby, Terra!

And then my whole family rocking the super cool 3D glasses.

Overall the kids enjoyed it, especially Parker- he seriously loves learning about space

Hunting Christmas Trees

So Thanksgiving night we drove up north and met Jason's parents at the cabin.

The next morning we went out to play- even up north it was still nice out

I think Aria is enjoying this more than Terra is.

Then Parker said he found a tree we could take home and decorate

Silly boy

Then we went out and 'hunted' for a real Christmas tree.

Terra in the truck, getting all bundled up

Parker driving us around.

Don't worry, this was not on an actual road,

 but out in a field among the trees we were looking to cut down.

Here's the tree we picked out while she was still rooted in the ground

Jason cutting the tree down

Then that Sunday morning after we got back into town we decorated the tree

We also cut down a tree that was about 3' tall and the kids decorated that- other than the ball ornaments, every ornament on that tree was made by the kids.

Made out of glue and food dye, clay, paint, foam and glitter, paper, etc. It's super cute to me!

Thanksgiving

This year we had Thanksgiving at my parents house. 

We went over early and watched the Macy's parade and then ate, and we then drove up north to join Jason's parents at the cabin for the weekend.

Here are the few pics I got from our Turkey Day

More posts about the cabin coming soon.

But I just want to say that now that I have kids I really love Thanksgiving. It's a such a great chance to really focus on our blessings and teach our children more about gratitude and how good we really have it!

Black

So I've let my kids into the face paint before, and it's fun and it mostly cleans off pretty well... except the black paint.

Well, this last time they  were playing with the face paint they were felling a bit depressed or something and went with an all black theme:

I'm telling you our bath tub has still not recovered from my trying to clean them off- that black paint sticks!

And just for fun, here's a little thing I painted on Terra's back and Parker loved it since he is currently obsessed with space

It's the solar system...in black

Asleep

I don't know why it's so cute when babies fall asleep in their high chair- but it is!

Terra, asleep while drinking milk

The next one is awesome. I was vacuuming the living room and Terra was in the kitchen. I hadn't heard much from her so I look and she had climbed into her high chair by herself and fallen asleep. I took the opportunity to do a very thorough vacuuming (under/behind couches etc) and then vacuumed the rest of the house while I was at it. 

She slept through the whole thing:

When I was finished I came back downstairs and picked her up out of the high chair only to find that she was naked.... completely naked, she took off her diaper before climbing into her chair

Silly Baby!

And here's what Aria was doing at that same time:

using the rug as a bed/blanket to 'nap'

Hiking

On a whim one day I took the kids to hike Piestewa Peak. 

We didn't go all the way up but the kids loved it!

No pictures of Terra, since I had her in the baby carrier.

Snuggly

I love little kids in footie pajamas. 

And this winter all three of my kids have them:

They are so cute and snuggly dressed like that.

They're like my three little teddy bears!