Alamosa 2012

 We were able to go to Alamosa again this year, and we had a wonderful time.  Each year we go, it is different, even though we do the same things, it always turns out different, which makes if fun.  We stopped for a potty break on the way down and Jeff let Alyssa up by him.  When I came out to the car she had a big grin on her face, it was too cute to pass up.

 We deiced to stop at the sand dunes first, before we even checked into our Hotel.  This year there was a tiny bit of water at the bottom of the dunes.  Half the kids wanted to play int the water and the other half wanted to hike up the dunes, so we slit up.  Dallin had hurt his toe in the parking lot, he was walking around bare foot and caught something on his toe nail.  It was very dramatic for him and he didn't even think he would be able to walk up the dunes.  But here he is walking through the mud with a hurt toe.  Eventually the bandage fell off and it was cut pretty deep, but he was still able to do everything we did.

 Alyssa loved the water, she was hesitant at first, but once she realized it was warm and muddy she did not want to leave.

 Here is the crew that decided to hike up first.  That sand was really hot and if you didn't have shoes on it was hard to walk on.

 These three kiddos never wanted to stop, their goal was to make it to the very TOP!  They were troopers and went at far as the could, until their water was out and Jeff told them they had to turn around.

 They are helping each other go on because once they reached the top of that hill they could....

 Run down together!  Weeeeee

 The day finally arrived when the kids got to break open the pinata!  They all got to take a swing at it, with a blindfold (jacket) on.  That pinata was pretty tough, so then they all got to take a swing at it with the blind fold off.  Eventually, they got it and their was a mad rush for candy.  The kids were very good to share and make sure everyone had the same amount.

 Then it was one to the Alligator Farm for some more fun.  Dallin is brave and holds an alligator.

 Dallin and Alyssa touch the shell of this giant turtle that was just wandering around on the ground.

 Good thing they have fences because those Alligators have big mouths and we saw those big mouths in action when one of the workers fed the alligators and duck - not the prettiest site but it to Dallin it was fascinating

 Here are those big teeth on a skull they had out front, normally I would not let my six year old put his had in an alligators mouth.

 The last day we went on a hike to a hidden waterfall.  Four adults and nine kids under eight. The kids were great hikers and climbers.

 To get to the waterfall one must cross over a creek with running water.  There are stepping stones stratically placed through the creek to ease crossing.  But for little legs it was difficult.  It took some time to get them all in there, with the help of adults picking them up and setting them down.  Brea poses on a rock in front of the beautiful semi frozen waterfall.

 On the way home we decided to hit the sand dunes once again.  Not because we wanted to walk through hot sand, rather we wanted to enjoy the refreshing water/mud.

 The kids made sand castles in the mud.

 Dallin found a hold, made by someone previously, and couldn't resist...he squatted down...then leaped up...and landed in the warm mud.  Pure Joy for a six year old boy!

The whole gang, including the alligator can't forget him!  We had a great time and were glad we could spend the weekend with our good friends.  The Hotel was a lot of fun as well with an indoor water park.  Both Jackie and Dallin were able to got down the water slide by themselves.  It was scary, but worth it.  Good memories.