Last Road Trip of the Season.

What a precious time we had up North. We truly have a remarkable family. I have always loved the values that have been instilled early on with all the children. Thats the expectation that all the children play with each other no matter what the age and interest. Kuddos to my Aunts & Uncles for doing this. Its fabulous to see it continued on. I know I take it for granted until I go and spend time with another family and the kids are very divided. It really is special. Francis was definitely overwhelmed during our five day road trip to the ranches. There were tons of little people playing, pulling, yelling, running and having a blast. She's not quite use to that level of stimulation as our home is a tad quieter. However, even with her random meltdowns she had an absolute blast.

 Francis got to try out riding little cars with Rowdy

Riding a horse with Joelle.

Playing in the dirt with her distant cousins.

Exploring the awkward moment when she and the cat did not connect.

Then learning the ability of patience in order to connect with a cat.

The exposure Francis had in those few days was fantastic. All her senses were happily buzzing when we drove away.

As I've said a slew of times before its hard to get people to come to Alistair's level, be patient and allow him to respond, and stop parents from "protecting" Alistair from their rambunctious kids. For some reason everyone thinks he's breakable. Far from it! So, my heart was just swelling with joy up North.
 

I loved the fact he got so much physical contact whether it was hugs, taking toys from Alistair or just being present beside him. I was so pleased to see how easy it seemed for my family young and old to interact with him. Even if it was to come up and touch his hand momentarily to say hello it was truly a dream come true. When so many people walk around him (like a coffee table) or avoid him it just makes me so incredibly happy to see all the interaction and attention he got. As a mama with a special needs kidlet I learn to read the slightest movement or change whether its due to a positive or negative experience. It was so obvious he loved it!

It was also really good for me. Not solely because my kidlets got a ton of positive interactions but also to reconnect with family.

It was such an uncomplicated visit with the basic elements of life for stimulation: rocks, grass, water, sticks, fresh air.........beer....

To be surrounded by kids and family with materialistic items being removed

....and reminiscing of the days when I was up North jumping from bale to bale with great delight.

There is something to be said for the simplicity of life. Take away all those gadgets and programs (ACK PROGRAMS) and just explore what nature has to offer and one will find it will provide an incredibly valuable lesson. Its interesting to me that each generation thinks they are so right in their ways. Everyone wants to rewrite the book. Whichever book that may be. What we think is right today will likely be so wrong or backward tomorrow. Plus everyone that has been there done that thinks we are doomed for the direction we are taking BUT EVERY generation says that about the next....it kind of makes you laugh. I think we can all learn from each other...past, present and future....Anyhow, mini rant....

Anyways, one of my high lights of the trip was to go horse back riding with my cousin Jessica, that happened to be 38 weeks pregnant at the time. Most prego Mom's I'd be so nervous that they were riding that late in the pregnancy but Jessica has lived on a horse since she could walk. Actually, she trains horses for a living. 

She may have actually trained mine! Anyhow, whatever the case it was a nice little break from mamahood.

 

While we were up we also got to celebrate my Uncle Bills 70th b-day as well as enjoy a trip home from his son BO, the celebrity of the family. Our GOLD medal Olympian!!

 Good times, great family, and gorgeous memories.

LOVE IT!