Our Summer Travels

We got all of our traveling in early this summer - doctor's orders! As of July 4th, my travel was limited to the metroplex. Having to stick close to home after all of our exciting adventures and fiascos on the return trips home was a welcomed restriction!






Pismo Beach - June 2008
We were able to attend Mark's youngest cousin's wedding in California while getting in a long-anticipated beach vacation. The wedding was absolutely beautiful - outside in the mountains. It made me want to get married all over again - to Mark, of course - for beautiful, new pictures! The girls, especially Chloe (our little Island Girl), fell in love with the beach. Chloe tells us at least once a day that she is going to live in California by the beach. Grace promptly proclaims that she will live with Chloe and that we can come visit them. I suppose by that time, Grace will love the ocean as much as Chloe - despite being frightened by a wave that knocked her over. We enjoyed visiting Mark's family while we were there. We missed the Mouffes, but we had a ball with Pierces, the Pykes, the Tafoyas, Mema, and all of Mark's aunts, uncles, and cousins. Getting together with the extended Pierce clan is always a good time. Oh, and the clam chowder - WOW! Splash serves up an unrivaled, amazing bowl - ordered with extra seafood - enlightening!

Albuquerque - June & July 2008
We took our annual road trip to Albuquerque to visit our folks out there. The girls got to spend some sweet time with Nana, Papa, Mema, and G.G. Nana had a new and exciting toy box that kept the girls busy. She and Papa hosted a delicious BBQ where we ate out on her back patio. Aunt Sara played games with the girls and pushed them on the tree swing out back. Chloe couldn't get enough of that, but Grace was content to push the swing herself with nobody on it! Nana also taught the girls a wonderfully naughty trick - spraying whipped cream into their mouths from the can! Silly Nana! Mema's backyard was converted to Splash Mountain Country. Uncle Matt brought over his water slide - aka "Splash Mountain", and the Pierce boys and girls slid come rain (with quivering blue lips) or shine (as a welcomed relief to the heat). Mema also hosted a couple delicious BBQs on her back patio. It was so nice to enjoy the cool Albuquerque air without dying of heat (like we would at home). We stayed with G.G. after Mark returned home for work. Chloe, our Early Bird, enjoyed waking at the crack of dawn and actually finding G.G. awake! They had many early morning chats over coffee and apple juice. Grace, our little Snoozer, crawled in bed with me for some extra zzzz's. Our cuddle time was priceless! I enjoyed having NOTHING planned while we were there. It was very relaxing, which is just what this little pregnant lady needed! We had a ball visiting and laughing with everyone while we were there. Our Albuquerque memories are among our favorites.

Vail - July 2008
We caravanned from Albuquerque to Vail with Matt and Tamara's family to visit the Pykes. We had a ball! Being back in the mountains of Vail has really tugged on our heartstrings - it's made us want to move to Colorado. Of course, we would want to be in the Vail area. However, I don't know how much we'd enjoy the outdoors after working 10 jobs each to support ourselves! On the bright side, it would satisfy my goal of becoming a ski instructor when I grow up! One of the schools there advertises that the kids and teachers go skiing on Fridays - wouldn't mind teaching there! (I can't say what my other 8 jobs would be). Liz and Jim were gracious hosts - we had excellent food and many fun adventures including a gondola ride up the mountain for a picnic in front of Holy Cross Mountain after the 4th of July parade in Vail Village. Did I mention the snow drift we found? A great snowball fight ensued! The 6 kids had a blast playing. Chloe and Grace now talk about living at the beach with their cousins - Mark and I have been down-graded to staying in a hotel near their house! Liz took fantastic family and pregnant pictures for us. I am dying to print and frame them! It was hard to leave the beauty of Colorado. I actually think Colorado wanted us to stay, too - it took FOUR AND A HALF HOURS to get from Vail to Denver (a 97 mile drive-argh)!!!! It was all worth it!