The Start of the Riding Season--Dumont Dune October 2008

**Just to post this since I have had a few people flame me, Mia's seat belt in the Rhino is buckled, it is just really big on her. While we are riding in the rhino our friends go very slow and are very careful. Also, when Mia was on the quad with her brothers they were literally going at a snails pace within 10 feet of me so I could run over at a moments notice. Hay guys, I want to be able to post pictures of the kids and the activities we do but I don't like being flamed on my own blog. I really do appreciate peoples care and concern but I am not a careless mom and would not put my kids in obvious danger so please keep the negative comments to yourself. I totally understand your concern and I know it comes from a good place, but really, I'm not going to do something stupid and putting my daughter on my sons quad for a picture and then them riding 10 feet from me is not dangerous and I don't need a lecture about helmets-- believe me we have been riding long enough for lectures. Thanks!

Sorry once again for it being such a long time since I have posted. When I got home from work on Thursday night it was a a mad dash to try to get out the door to get going. Kevin would not have been a happy camper if he were to walk in the house in the midst of packing to see me blogging-- oh no that would not have been good! Anyway, we got going pretty late but we finally made it to Dumont and just found a spot and went to bed. The next day was beautiful!! It is still pretty hot out in the desert as it got to probably high 80's during the day but it was clear and sun shinny with just a slight breeze. IT was just beautiful.

Friday day we were there by ourselves but the rest of our group came Friday evening and got there for dinner and camp fire. This trip was a great beginning trip and we look forward to many more this riding season.

On our way out we stopped to get gas and this was Mia in the drivers seat of the RV with me outside taking a picture.

Owen and Mia playing in the sand.

They were having a blast dumping sand on their heads-- ya I loved it too-- NOT!!!

Everyone always says that it would be so hard having a little one in the sand-- they would get so messy and gross. Yes, the messy an gross part it true but they have so much fun!!! They pretty much just dig and play all day long and you hardly know they are there-- WONDERFUL!!

When Mia plays by herself like this she sings to herself forever. She literally sings and sings and sings-- it is very cute!!

Yes Mia is with the boys on the quad but they did not go fast and I was with them the whole time-- don't freak on me :)

Ethan and Mia

Owen and Mia

Owen and Mia --again!

Kind of blurry but I love the face she is making-- mom-get me off of here :)

The whole time I would be making dinner or whatever inside the motor home, Mia would take one of the dish towels and cover Max or Sadie with it-- like a blanket. It was so funny! Onetime She put it on Max head like the Virgin Mary-- I tried to get a picture because it was so funny but he moved too fast.

More Max torture.

We went to the big dunes at one point and had a long ride (15+ min) and Mia totally fell asleep. It is not a smooth ride in fact it is really really bumpy and we jump and do all kinds of things but she just slept through the whole thing. At times I would hold her head hard against the seat just so it would not knock around-- I cant believe she can sleep through that-- wow!!

The was taken at the big dunes once we were there-- totally dead asleep!!

Owen looking cute as can be!! Owen, Kevin and Ethan ride their quads over to the big dunes while Mia and I catch a ride in a Rhino with friends.

Ethan at the big dunes.

My handsome hubby!!! Yes, this is the same bike that he broke his hip on in February 2007-- right before China. What is the saying-- if the horse kicks you off-- get back on-- Kevin kind of lives by that motto!!

My boys!!!

We had a really fun trip. We just finished unpacking and now Kevin is out cleaning the RV. I think our next trip is the week we are off for Thanksgiving-- I think.

Hope you all had a great weekend!!