Questions from my 3 yr old!

Brandon is very inquisitive, always inquiring about the happenings in his world.   I suppose this is pretty typical for a three and a half year old however he can be absolutely unrelenting until he hears the most detailed of answers.  And watch out, if he is not satisifed with your answer he will let you know! 

Most of our questions come during our car rides to and from daycare.  This is our time to "discuss" the day's happenings.  It's funny to me that Brandon can usually NEVER remember what he ate for breakfast or lunch but he poses his complex questions.  Here are some examples:
1. "How do spiders make webs?"
2. "What makes electricity?  Why does the electricity charge your phone?"

These next couple questions were asked on the way to work this am:

1. "Why is the sky blue?" (my answer: "God made the dirt brown and the sky blue so you could tell up from down")
2. "How does God take your soul to heaven?"

Yes, this question was word for word from his mouth!  I was shocked by his question and couldn't imagine how he could grasp the concept of a "soul".  I have to admit, it took a moment for me to formulate my answer (since it was 6:50am), "Well, God sends a special angel to hold your hand and lead you back to heaven so you don't get lost".  My answer must have satisfied because all he said was, "oh, okay".   

I better start brushing up on my studies....I fear these questions are only going to get harder.

more tub time

Shavin' like Daddy

"Mason, put it on like me"

"My turn!"

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Thanks to another Targer clearance find, bath time is once again worth getting clean for!

Lee Valley Reservoir

teamwork!

A herd of elk near the turn off to sunrise!

No camping trip would be complete without stopping to let the dogs swim in the cold water of the White Mountains!  These year, since we didn't camp in our usual spot, thanks to the forest fires, we stopped on our way home to let the dogs try to drown each other over a stick!  They love the water and it is absolutely funny to see them both chase the same stick into the water, only to return to the shore together, eager for more!!!

Unfortunately, we didn't see much in the way of wildlife during our camping adventure!  Seriously, picture four children ages 21 months to 7 years old running around our remote camp site, yelling, laughing, and sometimes crying.  There were moments when we would find Brandon and Allison (ages 3 and 4) standing face to face just screaming with delight.  Needless to say, all the kids had a great time. 

Camp at Burro Mountain

Mason and Allison

Home, sweet home!

The view from camp

Camp site at Burro Mountain

This year's camping trip was one of our best.  The weather was great with the exception of our last night there, were it proceded to rain hard during the evening and then drizzle the rest of the night.  Fortunately, we borrowed Uncle Robert's wall tent which kept us dry.  I have to admit, I was skeptical of the wall tent until I help set it up and realized it's size.  I was shocked when we set up both cots, a queen size air mattress, the pack 'n' play, two camping chairs, an indoor stove (with chimney), and fstill had room for the two dog beds and space to walk around.  I'm not too sure I will ever go back to our six man tent...

Our camp site was awesome, basically at the end of a two-track road on Burro Mountain, tucked on the edge of a sloping meadow.  One morning, thanks to being up ~5am due to my early-bird kids, we saw several elk out in the meadow.  Definitely on our lists of camps to return to.

Evening at camp

"privacy please"

my boys

tuckered out from hiking

"Really Dad, more topo maps?"

"Who me"

My favorite part of camping is spending the evening around the fire, eating, talking, and enjoyng the bright stars above (thanks to the lack of city lights).  The kids were troopers, exploring camp during the day, hiking, and even sleeping well at night.  Thanks to Kevin for keeping the fire going in our tent so we were all warm and cozy!

In our hearts



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This is a special site for the Payne family and we were happy to see that the memorial site and (at least) one tree had escaped the ravages of the Wallow fire.   

kids at play

Allison & Chloe

"do you like mine"

new best friends!

Camping trip 2012

Nothin' like a lon car ride to put you to sleep!

The view from Burrow Mountain

Burnt to a crisp....what a shame

Do you see the Elk???

Elk in the meadow by camp 

Each summer we look forward to escaping the desert heat, if only for a few days, by heading up to the White Mountains where we hike, fish, and enjoy nature.  But these vacations are not without a lot of planning, preping, and hard work.  

It never ceases to amaze me just how much "stuff" we "need" take with us. Picture our cargo trailer packed to the brim with a tent, cots, sleeping bags, air mattress, pack n play, toys, picnic table, ice chests, water, action packers, canopy, bags, etc.  We set up our home away from home and settle in for the next five days.  I'll admit, I do miss some of the comforts of home but I realize it will get easier as the boys get older, or so I tell myself.

      

This year Brandon (3 and a half) and Mason (21 months) are at perfect ages for camping.  Mornings are spent exploring the camp, playing with Chloe and Allison

"Outside"

Sliding fun. 

Mason sitting on the "digger" toy.  Gotta love hand-me-downs, thanks Edina!

"Bubbles go?"

Mason's favorite place lately is anywhere outside, especially if Daddy is home.  He still loves to roam the yard and isn't always bothered by the heat.  When he does get hot, he'll ask for a "popsicle" but he says it with his tongue sticking out so it sounds like "paw-paw-pol".  It's too cute.  I hope to catch it on video.
Brandon has been a little camera shy so he doesn't often allow picture taking lately.

Happy 4th

Happy 4th of July!!!  The boys spent the day with Daddy while I worked.  By the time I arrived home, the monsoon had already started and the boys were outside playing in the rain.  They were soaked and absolutely loved collecting rain water as it poured off the porch. 
We celebrated by BBQ'ing ribs and corn on the cob, compliments of my hubby.  Delicious! 
We didn't go anywhere to watch fireworks since Brandon was already asleep but we were able to watch (and hear) the fireworks at El Conquistador resort from our back porch.