Ghost Ranch

We have lived in New Mexico for over 10 years but never been to Ghost Ranch. The Eidenbenz family invited us to hike with them in the box canyon to start off summer. It was a hot day so the shade and water were perfect.

Since 1955, Ghost Ranch has been an education and retreat center for the Presbyterian church that can be used by the public. Before that, Georgia O'Keeffe lived there in the summers from 1934-1949. She loved the landscape and so do we!

We ate lunch and played in the water at the top of the canyon.

Oops! Elise accidentally sat in the water as she got a stick.



We stopped at our favorite New Mexican food outside of Espanola.

Goodbye School, Hello Summer!

On the last day of school, Eric picked Maddie up on his motorcycle (!) and we all went to Sonic! After lunch, dad had to go back to work, but the kids and I went to our "sneaky spot" by a creek in the woods for 3 hours of letting go of school and saying hi to summer.

The kids screamed, hiked, sat, collected, floated, jumped, stared, balanced, yelled, laughed. It seemed very cathartic for them and me.

End of the Year Parties

Both girls had parties to celebrate the end of school.

Elise's school had a mellow BBQ at a grassy, shady spot where they shot off soda and mentos.

Maddie's class ate ice creams sundaes and played games.

I lead the kids in a rousing game called "Giants, Wizards, and Elves." It is like Rock. Paper, Scissors but with your whole body as a team. It was super funny!

School is ALMOST out!

We decided to celebrate ALMOST summer with the kids. We took them to the new pizza place in White Rock that has video games, pool tables, and air hockey tables. We wasted a bunch of quarters and had a blast!

Before & After

Eric couldn't wait to give Gus a real hair cut. He is my baby so I wouldn't let that happen for a while. But school was ending and summer was coming...I couldn't stall Eric anymore. So off they went into the bathroom to cut their hair for the summer.

In went my baby...

Out came my boy...

Shrinky Dinks Playdate

Elise had her two preschool buddies -- Emma and Nyla -- over for one last playdate. In the afternoon, we made Shrinky Dinks...whoa!

Piano Recital

The girls have practiced piano for a year with Mrs. Warren; it is so nice to hear Grandpa Hal's piano. It was a treat to see them at their recital because they played at Fuller Lodge, a historic old building in town.

It also was the senior recital for one of my students who has babysat the girls so the girls really loved it.