This year our family had the privilege of hijacking a vacation! Listen people, it isn't easy, but it can be done. First, you have to find someone to vacation with. This part is probably the most difficult, as you want to remember that you will be punishing yourselves if you don't choose wisely. Lucky for my family...we chose the Water's family.
The next step is to make your vacation victims think it was their idea all along. Plant ideas about how much fun a vacation would be, how well your children get along, and lastly, but most importantly talk about your own "vacation plans." You don't want to seem desperate. When the time is right, all this prep work will pay off as the conversation automatically steers you to the wonderful idea of vacationing together! "Of course we want to go with you to beautiful Colorado...thank you so much for inviting us!" And this is how you hijack a vacation!
Once the plan was set in motion, we decided that simply vacationing in the same location as the Water's family was just not enough...no we went one step further and hijacked their car as well. That is the kind of people we are :) So on a Sunday morning at 5 a.m....you know I didn't pick that time, alas these are the complications of hijacking someone's vacation...our families set out, destination Colorado!
The plan was to stop in Kayenta, Arizona for breakfast. However, somewhere between here and there, our trailer blew a tire. As if our set up wasn't redneck enough, now we had to use the spare and tie the shredded tire down with the rest of the luggage. As we pulled onto the road, Bayden made the comment that we would not be making it all the way to Colorado with those tires. WHAT? We are in the middle of the reservation on a Sunday with no back up tires!! Never fear, readers...we made it to Kayenta for breakfast, those of you who have ever traveled with 7 kids understand that this was the most important part of the journey so far. Bayden called his brother who agreed to meet us with new tires...the catch was we had to wait at the Kayenta McDonald's until he was ready to leave. I have a serious phobia of germs...my anxiety was already through the roof over the tires, but just the thought of my darlings playing on the playground equipment sent me over the edge. Poor Manda couldn't figure out what the problem was until I informed her that I was sure our kids were catching Hepatitis from the slide. She laughed until we heard one of the kids exclaim "Gross, it's puke!" Are you kidding me? Really? Needless to say we hurried the kids to the safety of the car and used lots and lots of antibacterial!
We met Devin in Mexican Hat..there are pictures in the slide show...where we replaced the tires and were again on our merry way. I don't remember much more about the trip as I purposely drugged myself with dramamine. I am sure it was uneventful because several hours later we arrived safely in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
This part of Colorado was beautiful! The views were breathtaking. Our cabin was amazing and we spent the next week enjoying each others company, playing games, and laughing! We fished, hiked, shopped for matching hats and shirts, and went sight seeing.
My favorite part of the whole trip was going to see the Bar D Wranglers. (I will NEVER admit this to anybody, so if you ask me I will deny it) It was so much fun to watch my kids and my husband so thouroghly enjoy themselves. The Wranglers were entertaining, the dinner was great, and the giggles were priceless. Kenna at one point busted out in a dance that rivaled any River Dancer I've ever seen. The whole experience was one that I know our little family will never forget. Mike and Manda even bought the CD so that we could listen to their music in the car, at home, and in the shower!! Bar D Wranglers everywhere...thanks again guys!
The week passed much too quickly and before we knew it, it was time to come home. On a serious note, I should tell you how truly blessed my family is..we have wonderful friends. Thank you, Mike and Manda, for letting us vacation with you. It truly was a vacation to remember...and hopefully repeat! And to all my other friends out there...where are you going on vacation?
Update: Shortly after returning home, I hijacked Dusty and Mandy Riddle's trip to Vegas in late July...Bwahahaha. The hijacker strikes again!!
