Road Trip 2010~RV Vacation Part I

We just returned from the best family vacation ever!!! I think I am spoiled...I don't want to travel with my kiddos any other way now! Let me tell you, the RV is the way to go. It seriously felt like we drove and hour or two...no joke. We went through 5 states in 2 weeks and had a great time together as a family. It was just like a house on wheels, we read books, colored, played games, watched movies, took baths, ate meals....it was so much fun.

I took over 800+ pictures so to share the best I can I made a ton of collages....so click on the collage bigger to see more detail.

And were off.....ahhh....this is the life....tv going and the kids able to roam free....

Doug was such a great driver too....he is the man for sure!

We took the bed out of the back room and set up pack and plays back there. Doug also mounted a TV to the wall so the kids could lay down and watch a show....the girls are coloring in the top right hand picture....we bought new books and they loved coloring in them. Bottom right is the bathroom...so big and it was great not to have to stop every 2 hours for the kiddos.

....THE OPEN ROAD....

We drove through so much beauty! My little photographer heart almost couldn't handle it! The fields, the barns, the skies....ahh....so dreamy...

Our first stop was the Grand Canyon. We drove the RV up on Sunday and spent the night at a park by the Grand Canyon. Doug has never been....29 years old and lived in Az his whole life and never been to the Grand Canyon...we had to stop!

We hiked to the top of this tower with the kiddos...there was a great view. We stopped at the gift shop and bought some books and then were on our way....with 4 kiddos 1 hour at the Grand Canyon is enough.

Our next stop was Zion's National Park....it was raining so we didn't get out but drove through....it was beautiful too! The top right picture has some big horn sheep...see?

It rained allot on our trip....we saw a rainbow along the way....
Notice Clark the co-captain...all of the kiddos sat up front with Doug...and they loved it!

We spent the night at a KOA in Fillmore Utah and then drove to Provo the next day and stopped to see my brother Chris. He only had a few hours to hang so took him to lunch

Back on the road....we finished our day driving to Grandma's in Blackfoot Id. I even drove for an hour....Doug snapped these shots and I was telling him how to change the camera settings....tee hee....but it's proof I drove for a bit.

We made it. The whole purpose of this trip was to see my last living Grandma. She has Alzheimer's and is slowly deteriorating. This is their beautiful property.

Their lush green backyard is beautiful!! We spent the first night outside in the cool weather.

Grandma's house is DEFIANTLY not child proof....we had to put up many glass things she had around. The boys like turning the pencil sharpener...busy busy

We spent the night in the heavenly cool basement....ahhh...I really want a basement now! Day 2 was spent at the greenbelt next to the Idaho falls. Oh my goodness....so beautiful. Especially with all of the fall leaves around.

We stopped by the temple and visitors center.....it was fun to take the girls in and listen to their message.

Most of the trip we ate in the Rv but that night we stopped at Arctic Circle....my childhood favorite. I lived in Utah until I was 7 and remember going to Arctic Circle before the drive in movies. Their fry sauce is good....and their milkshakes...ahh.....

One morning we were getting ready and I was doing the girls hair...my Grandma turned to the girls and said, "Do you girls want to comb my hair?" So I went and grabbed her brush and the girls gently combed her hair. It was so sweet that I got out my camera and snapped a picture....it was a cute moment.

We also took a ride out on Grandpa's boat...but I forgot my camera. IT was short and sweet. The boys were scared. Also one day Doug, the girls and Grandpa Ray went fishing all day. So it was just me and Grandma  and the boys. Sometimes the boys were a little much for her. The crying was hard for her and the toys on the floor bothered her, but we did alright. I took the boys on a long nature walk that day and we spent the day playing with this treasure....I want Doug to build us one for Christmas...we had hours of fun with that toy.

Our last day there was spent at Bear world!! Sadly the rain came and we didn't stay very long....what a cool park though. You drive through and the bears are right there! You can also see the baby bears close up....
Here is a rare Albino Elk

And the bears....wow!

They had a fun petting zoo but unfortunately it was raining so much and the boys were getting cranky...we had to leave...darn!

And here they are! Our sweet hosts...my beautiful Grandparents! This is my Mom's mom and step dad. He does such a great job of taking care of her....we are so thankful for him. This trip gave me a deeper meaning of eternal perspective. I thought about what would be important to me when I am 81. My family, my testimony, and my health...It was wonderful to be around my Grandma even though she can't quite remember me. Every few minutes it was, "Who's kids are these? Are they twins? Oh my goodness! How do you do it? It's awfully hard to do." And my favorite is when she would burst into song..."I want to be in that number...when the saints go marching in!" And then a few minutes later the same questions. Her long term memory is good and she thought I was my mom most of the time while I was there....a great compliment.

Family is Everything....I am so grateful my children were able to meet their Great Grandparents. We can't wait to go back...Doug is already planning a hunting trip up there.

Part II coming Soon!

Happenings as of Late.....

 ...Things around here are as crazy as always...

Little Clarkie boy still loves to be held and is a smart little cookie. He loves playing with his "vroom vrooms" and I love listening to his cute little boys noises while he plays.

Grant has come down with the pukes...poor baby. Maybe its because he is always playing in the toilet water. I swear this boy is lighting fast and is always making mischief....but look at his adorable face. Even when he is sick....he has the sweetest disposition but is so busy. One day I took him out of bathroom where he was playing with the toilet water, and he promptly went to the dishwasher and started playing with the knifes. Took him off of the dishwasher and he promptly went to the kitchen table and started playing on the table and spinning the chandelier. All in a matter of 5 minutes....he sure gives me a run for my money but I sure love this little boy.

This is how my kitchen table and floor looks everyday. Covered with crayons and scraps of paper. The girls have spent hours a day coloring...it is so cute! We need to buy some more coloring books...

Audree is quite the artist. She takes her time and colors in the lines.

OH!! And the most exciting news.....this is our new ride!!!!! WAH HOO! A 1997 Bounder....yay dog! We are attempting a 2 week road trip with our kiddos. We are going to go introduce the boys to my Grandparents in Idaho and then head on the Utah and Nevada. Along the way we are going to the Grand Canyon, Lagoon, the Zoo, visiting family and friends, getting family pictures taken in BEAUTIFUL Utah and having a great time. Is it crazy that I am REALLY excited? Watching movies in the back, letting the kids walk around...taking our time, not eating out....my kind of vaca! I just went to Walmart and stocked it full of groceries...we are ready!

I will for sure have some crazy adventures to share when we get back!

18 Month old Boys

Can you believe it? The boys are busy and oh so cute. It's time for nursery at church, and learning new words everyday.

Last night at dinner I was telling Doug that I needed his help taking the boys 18 month pictures. I was driving out to Queen Creek to get something from a friend and mentioned that it would be fun to go and get the boys pictures done in my favorite field. He said "Let's go!" WHOO WEE! I jumped up and grabbed the boys new shirts, a squirter bottle, some props my camera and off we went. I have been doing so many indoor shoots lately, that my heart is aching for the beautiful light outdoors. 

I didn't even bring a comb...Grant's hair is a little slick...oh well.

You want us to sit Mom? No...we like being independent boys...

This shoot lasted 12 minutes....the quickest shoot ever!  The girls whined the whole time, and boys just wandered around and smiled so sweet....what sweet boys.

Words they can say at 18 months.
Mom
Dadddy
Audee
Go
No
Help You
Cool
Bye bye
Tant too(Thank you)
Baby
Outsie(Outside)
Doggie
Bapple(Apple)
Gramma
Cracker
Bite
Manna(Aunt Amanda)
Woobie
Uh-Oh

I'm sure there are more...I will add them when I remember....

My favorite one of Clark

My favorite of Grant

Here is a little snap of all my precious kiddos...this is my Great Grandma's quilt that has been sitting in my hope chest for 10 years. Hopefully she doesn't mind that I put in on the ground...It's so beautiful! They were all singing...

All of these were taken with my new camera...which is like BUTTA! Amazing....I love having beautiful shots of my kiddos.

Weekend in Pictures

First of all...thanks for all your lovely comments on my last post. I have decided that I want my kiddos to know that I am human and struggled with motherhood during these early years.

Friday we went to the lake with some new friends. They have twin 5 year old boys and a cutie-pie 2 year old. Both the daddies LOVE to fish...however with so many little ones in tow, I don't think we lasted as long as they would have liked...

Clark totally said..."Cheese"

Only Audree...posing with the fish she caught

It's a bummer when you are only 18 months and walking is still a new thing

Here's a good distraction....licorice and a fishing pole

He sat on my lap for a long time...little sweetest

Saturday Doug took the girls fishing in the morning again...while I organized...I got so much done with 2 out of 4 gone.....who would have thought?
I also got a pedicure and date night....what a perfect day huh!

Sunday evening was spent in "Heaven" --the backyard....I love this place. Come over and play in it with us....The sunset was beautiful!

Big helper girls....

Keeping it real

Be warned....real mommy feelings below....

Doug recently left on a 5 day vacation. My momminess was put to the test. I prayed really hard each morning and night that I would be patient and loving with my little ones. For the most part things went well. My Mom came up on the weekend to help which was AWESOME. But it seems like I am a SUPER mom until about 5:30 rolls around. And then the horns come out. My house is a mess...the kids are hungry, I am at my wits ends with my patience/crying/hold me level. Does anyone else feel like this? Sometimes I just cry right along with them.  And then  I drink a soda ( can't seem to get the diet under control....another reason for my frustration)


This is what is trying my patience most these days....the boys climb on the table ALL DAY LONG! They have fallen off before, and most of the time I take them off the table and gently remind them to stay off the table.
Tonight however at dinner, the boys were done so I took them out of their high chairs and let them play. They kept climbing on the table and it was past 5:30 and I was D.O.N.E.....I gave Clark a little swat on the bum and told him "No." My girls watching me said..."Mom I love you...I want to be a mom just like you..".and off they went and told Grant "NO!" then swatted him on the bum.

That is what is so hard for me...I am teaching my girls by example to be good mothers...and most of the time I feel like a failure. The girls will make comments like...
*It sure is hard with these brothers.
*Don't you wish Dad were here?
*Are you sad mom...the brothers are so much work mom.
*It's to hard to go out mom...the brothers are so hard.

I feel so bad that this is what they see every day. The girls seem to get the brunt of my frustrations.....

I wish I could just never loose my cool...and that my girls would see the mother I really want to be.



This is what most of my days look like....seconds late Clark jabbed his finger into Grant's eye....poor baby. I was too far away to stop it.

The boys are 18 months old next week and it's starting....you know...the dreaded years of toddlerhood. Having lived through them with the girls I know it's just a few years....but these boys...Holy cow. They are so busy and rough and tumble. Clark tackles Grant all the time...for no reason, just to be rough. They are starting the biting/hitting/No phase...and taking it out on me and their sisters.

I really shouldn't complain. I have 4 healthy babies. I get to stay home and watch them grow. I have the most wonderful husband and supporter But sometimes I am just plain overwhelmed. I know Heavenly Father knew I could handle it....I just need to remind myself of that.

What a depressing post right? Well this is how thing are at the Davis house these days....here is a picture with a little more sunshine. ( don't mind the dirty laundry...)
Grant has a new silly face.