Flaggiestaff

Ah, Flagstaff. Where summer daytime temperatures hover in the double digits and summer nights require the use of those funny looking things that cover your legs all the way down to your ankles. (What are those called again? Oh yes, pants.)

Right before the girls started school, the 5 Monsons along with my brother Michael and MIL Linda joined Laura and Amy for a blissful weekend away in their adorable cabin. You would think that having 6 adults and 3 kidlings  in a 1000 square foot cabin would be tight, but we had so much fun that no one even noticed. (Well, probably my brother noticed. But he's a sweetie and didn't say anything.) The grown-ups got to chat and play (well...the grown-ups that weren't reading "Othello" at the time) and the girlies got to do what they love best...dig, paint, shovel, explore, collect, and get filthy dirty outside.

Oh, and did I mention that Amy made us a bona fide Thanksgiving lunch on the day we left? Ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and rolls....the works. Yes, we are quite spoiled.

Sometimes I dream that we're still there...

La and Amy got the girls (water bottle lovers that they are)

their very own Camelbaks. They've never been more hydrated.

Coloring with Amy

Making plans to plant her own forest

I've never seen a cuter shoveler in my life.

Loving living outside. 

(I must say, hair doesn't get much more vacationy than this.)

More cute shovelers

At the "Farmer's Market" whilst Mommy slept in on Saturday.

Apparently, the only produce on sale had been bought at a 

grocery store and brought to the "market" to resell.

They did get to see this creepy cockroach, though.

And this reptile. 

And isn't that what Farmer's Markets are really all about?

Julia the nature lover fashioned this bird's nest in one 

corner of the porch for any birds looking for a home...

...just in case the giant bird hotel that they painted 

with Laura doesn't have any vacancies.

"Welcome Home Birdies!"

Yes, I know what it looks like I'm doing in this picture.

I thought only our faces were in the frame.

Thought you'd enjoy a hearty laugh at my expense.

But don't get too cheeky, else I might 

have to bust out my Wolverine claws.

Happy Family in the forest.

Everyone's got vacation-hair but Craig.

Princess #3 on her forest throne

Princess #2

Princess #1

The whole gang

Wonderful Michael and Sweet Savanna

I'll eat her up I love her so.

(But Lex said "NO!)

Not certain what's going on here, but it sure looks fun.

This is what coming home looks like.

Til next time, cool air, forest smells, and cute cabin!