Family Vacation

Taking time to reflect
 

More hiking in the desert

Paleography

We were searching for Dino tracks- hoping to not fail Axel and we ran in to ancient paleography. Can't totally see them in this picture but Axel thought it was really cool to see what "the ancient people" drew.

Dino tracks!!!!

Finally after searching we found real dinoarus tracks! Axel was so excited. He hiked closer to them and even got to touch it. He informed us that they were indeed from a Theropod- which mean a 3 toed dinoarus. He couldn't believe that once a long time a ago a dino stood right where he did. Very cool!

These are from a Theropod Dad!

Staying hydrated

Abel such a good helper and loves to any thing a "big boy" can do. We all drank a LOT of water while in Moab. It was very warm every day.

Love these two :)

Lizards

 Axel loved searching for lizards also. He wanted to bring one home so bad. This little guy was sun bathing a warm rock.

Until Next time

Abel drinking from the camel pack

Flowering catcus

4WD roads

 Brian was in heaven with all the 4WD roads in the Moab area. Next time we will do more 4WD adventures. Maybe even get a side-by-side or some thing fun to play around in. We went down this road for a while and had to turn around because the road was closed. I was super steep and gravely- I got a little nauseous on the way back. Abel slept the whole way with his head bobbing around.

Druming at Tommy's

Family vacations are great. On the way home Axel asked if we could this every weekend! It's always nice to slow down and get to spend time together. The boys did very well in the car- a normal amount of barf involved- but overall a really good road trip. The hotel pool was a hit, we actually found dino tracks, lizards and rocks to climb on. We got to feel what the desert feels like in the summer-next time I'll do a different season- and we finally had sno cones. (this was a highlight of the trip for Axel) I hope to continue to explore more of the world with my family.
We ended our Moab trip with a visit to some family in Colorado. We stayed at Brian's cousins Tommy and Adrienne's house. Thanks again guys for letting us crash at your place. Axel was in pure joy with Tommy's drum set. He has been asking for drums ever since! It was so wonderful catching up with family that we haven't seen in way to long. (Joey, Tom and Linda, Tommy and Adrienne and Kelly) Can't wait for our next visit!

A pause for Jennifer

Brian's family lost some one very special last week. His aunt Jennifer passed away. This picture is Brian and I with Jennifer and Kevin. I think this is in 1999- I still have my nose ring. Jennifer has two kids and a husband that she will be leaving behind. She will be remembered for her great hugs and smile. 
 Life is so fragile. Love the ones you can.

Moab continues

 The boys have loved staying in a hotel. Every one in one room and dad to lay on is the best. Abel has been doing really well sleeping in the big bed with either Mom or Dad.

 Axel has loved all the rocks, lizards and cactus. He asks me to take a picture every time he sees one- which is a lot! He has started to name them. We found some flowering ones today-pictures to come later- which he thought was super cool. He has been asking to bring a lizard home also. Luckily he can't catch them.

Big boy heaven in Moab! 4WD and lot's of crazy gravel/off roading.

                                                     So many amazing views.

cheese!

 That is me and Axel hanging to close to the edge. So windy and scarey. Axel thought nothing of it!

 Sand Dunes. The boys loved feeling the sand on their feet. This one was in the shade which was perfect! It sure is very very warm here in June!

                         My family :)

 Abel loved the sand. I think he would have taken a nap here.

                                       Axel is a great climber with no fear.

We are spending our last night in Moab. Arches National Park and Canyon Land National park are amazing and a must see. I have so many amazing pictures to go through. Thanks to Brian for the best B-day gift ever before a trip- a new camera. It sure has been great. My skin is red and on fire-my nordiac skin is NOT use to the heat- the boys skin is fine aleast, but it has been a great family trip so far. We are heading to Colorado tomorrow to see a bunch of Brian's family. We haven't seen them in years. It'll be so gret to catch up with them.

Moab or Bust!

 Rapp family road trip 2013! We drove out to Moab Utah. I took us two days to drive-stopping in Denver Colorado. The weather is super hot here- at least 98 degrees every day so far. Right when we got here Axel said "how can any one live here?!" We all haven't felt this kind of heat in a very long time. Both boys threw up on the drive- Abel twice and I think so far (3 days in to the trip) one of them has throw up each day! I think motion sickness and heat combined are not a good mix. :) Gotta love road trips with kids-right?

Arches National Park was one of first visits. I have so many picture to go threw but here are a few from the first day of exploring. Axel has been doing a great job hiking with us and once again it is great to have our Kelty backpack for the litle man.

Yes those are my white legs in the sun- now red legs :)

On the way back from the first hike- Axel gave up! He said that he couldn't go any further and poor Brian had to carry both boys. I offered but who would take the picture then? Brian is the best dad ever!

Abel's hat blew away during our hike to the two windows but on the way back we found it here. There was also a pair of glasses. Must be the desert lost and found spot.

Two windows

I will share more pictures again soon. It's hard to find time to get on the computer. Vacations with two little boys are busy! We found dino tracks and indian writings today-Axel was in heaven. More heat and Arches to explore!

Brother's

                         My boys. I love when they get along and hang out together.

I walked in the living the other day and found them watching TV like this. Too cute! I know that they have their moments and don't get along but for the most part they do great. They both have been enjoying time outside and love having a yard to play in. (our house in AK had a very small yard)

Even though I write on my blog weekly, I think I still forget to update things. New-ish updates:
ABEL- does not drink a bottle anymore! I think it was harder braking me on this one but little boy did great with it. He was just taking one at night for a while but now it's been over a month with no bottles.
He is sleeping in a toddler bed. He has done this for one week now. It has stopped nap time though- not sure why that happened? But he does great at night and even though he is upstairs he does great with the stairs.