Northern Exposure...

You'd think we were gluttons for punishment or something, what with the way we go road-trippin with our triplets all the time! But, I suppose the more you do it, the more you learn, and the easier it gets, right?

So this weekend, we took a road trip up north...to Flagstaff. If you know Brian at all, then you know how much he LOVES Flagstaff. I swear the smile on his face grew bigger every mile we were closer to the land of cool air, pine trees and Elk. He even promised that he would not get irritated with traffic, with babies, with me, etc. JUST because we were going to be landing in Flagstaff. (This might be part of his ploy to get us living there...)

As usual, the babies were great. The only thing that could have made it better was a swivel chair for me so that turning around to pick up sippy cups, toys, goldfish crackers, etc. didn't feel like such an acrobatic event.

I have to say, there were a couple of moments when I'd turn around for the 30th game of peek-a-boo, or high-five givin' that I'd think to myself, "Holy crap. I carried these three babies. They are mine." What a rush...

When did they grow up? Is it the tennis shoes that make them so old? This is us stoppin' to stretch...

Anyhoo, on the way up, we stopped for a snack, a starbucks and stretch. And some gratuitous photos on a boulder. Which, they loved. As you can see. (Actually, can you tell that we literally pulled Colton from a deep sleep just to take a picture?) What rotten parents we are!
So my Bunchkins aren't so much lovin the boulder. Whatever. They don't know what they're missing...

A picture with Dad...

And one with mom...

Thank God my friend Anabelle had "hand-me downed" us some boy shoes! I realized as we were packing that we only own sandals and what with the mountain climbing I knew they'd be doing, we were definitely going to need some closed toed shoes! So thank you cousin Jaxon for loaning us some shoes!

Little Princess? Well, she had to wait till we got there so we could go to Walmart and get her some new shoes! (And a new purse. Of course.)

It's like they're reading a treasure map, each pointing to the treasure!

"Hey mom! Whatcha doin way up there?"

And once again, Ethan is crying. I promise though he looks miserable in so many pictures, he really had a ton of fun! He's just much, much, much more sensitive than the others!

Down and dirty with daddy duty.

My Bunchkins...

And oh, it's moments like these, when I glance into the backseat late into the night and see this. Makes me think her brothers will always look out for her. He held her arm like that for a good half hour.

And the best part of the whole trip according to three toddlers? The luggage cart!

"What kind of new stroller is this Daddy?"

"We better check it out and see how it rides.."

Just like her mommy-Freakishly strong.

Such big helpers. Helping daddy go return the luggage cart.

Yes. They were sad to see it go.

But, the next best thing to the luggage cart? THE HALLWAY! It's a raceway!

And they're off!

This is how you fit three pack and plays and 2 beds in a room. Similar to a sardine can really.

But who needs pack and plays when we can jump on mommy's bed??

And clearly the inventor of the lowly placed tissue dispenser did not have kids. Just sayin.

The majority of the reason we headed up North was to visit with some friends Brian has known for years! The Palmers are such a wonderful family, with 4 of their own kids (and Taylor the honorary Palmer for the day.) We hadn't been up to see them since I was 7 weeks pregnant with the babies. So it was so much fun to spend time with them.

Their kids are like the PERFECT babysitters. So responsible, so loving, and they totally 'get' kids. The weather was gorgeous, the grass was green-and soft, the giant trees provided the perfect amount of shade for trampolining and swinging....aaahh...what a day.

This is Taylor on the left (honorary Palmer) and their oldest son Kyle. (And Ethan)

In the background is Dad Jeff, and Brian, and in the foreground, Hunter is absolutely loving girl time with their oldest daughter Rachel and their youngest daughter Caitlin (who by the way, shares my birthday!)

Colton

Hunter

Ethan

This is their youngest son, Ryan. He was such a great entertainer!

Taylor and Ethan. Such flirts our boys are. :)

Ryan and Colton playing ball. (Isn't the grass beautiful??)

And because of this weekend, we now have to buy a trampoline for our little jumping beans. No kidding, with the net around the whole thing, it was like a giant pack and play for bouncing babies! I don't know that I've seen them have so much fun in a while. And no fear from any of them. Can't wait to see if Santa Claus comes through for us...

Having lunch on the grass

Hunter loved playing with Caitlin! She is such a good "big girl" friend!

Can you tell how much I loved the soft, green grass?

hee hee...

Little Girl Feet.

Little girl feet and buns

Ethan wants to go rock climbing

Swinging! What fun!

Maureen (the mom) and Ethan

Somebody likes his swing...

Just up from her nap. Hunter and I decided to go have a snack in the lobby dining room. We had some warm chocolate chip cookies and milk. :) Oh the simplicity of doing such things with just one child.

"Mommy does my hair look okay?"

Brian and I comment repeatedly how our kids resemble gophers poking their heads out of their holes as they wake up in the morning and pop up one by one! So funny!

Colton's doing a safety check for his dad. Making sure it's safe to start packing it up again.

Ethan is a lover of all things luxurious. Why sleep in a pack and play when mom's bed is right here??

Yep. Still Ethan.

Colton modeling he and his brother's new tennie runners!

On Sunday morning as we left town, we met Brian's mom and dad and cousin Carolyn and Mattie for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. Colton chose the Marine Corp rocking chair. Some day big guy. Some day.

Nana and sleepy Ethan

Papa and the Princess (with her new shiny purse she got.)

Again, waking Ethan just for a picture? So rude.

Carolyn and Ethan

Colton and Mattie

This I wil say. Ethan sure makes chillin' out look good. This is how he rolls.

Everybody's up for a game of peekaboo!

And that, my friends is a trip to the trees. If Brian has his way, we will someday be living there. Right next door to the Palmers in fact. :) Only time will tell... :)