7.14.2015

RHM Roadtrip 2015: Day 1

After all of that excitement and a late night, we were all up early, cars packed, shirts coordinated and smiles on for the official start to our #RHMRoadtrip2015. 

(RHM = Royal Hot Messes)


I think we had enough snacks, toys, movies and games to last us for a month in those two cars. It kept them entertained for about 30 minutes. Not to worry, because the excitement picked back up when we crossed the border and entered New Mexico.



That sign should be changed to "land of wind".



This was our 7th state to cross off as We5Kings... only 43 to go!


Cindy and Josh had the great suggestion stop in Clayton to picnic at the Clayton Lake State Park - they had done this on their vacation last year and the 3 Munson messes were excited to share this experience with their friends. We clearly didn't mind a detour that was as beautiful as this. 


Tons of rocks and trails to explore and we found a little cave to eat in to block us from all the wind. Sorry, Mills - eating pics are never nice. 


And then Ryan scaled a boulder that was a startling 3 inches off the ground. 


Moments like this always make me pause - I can't quite possibly even begin to comprehend how vast this world is. I have been able to travel lots of amazing places, and I am so grateful for that. But there is so much to see and do and explore right here - in our own backyard. 


I hope our kids are able to look back on these experiences and remember a tiny portion of all they get to see. I hope that a song or a taste rushes a memory so unmistakable to the forefront of their mind that it's almost as if they are experiencing it for the first time. 


I hope their own giggles ring in their ears when they tell stories to their kids about our travels. 


And I hope we always stop and take time to make a detour because detours are what lead us to our greatest of adventures. A detour into a deli lead me to a job. That job lead me to the kindest guy. That guy became my friend, that became my boyfriend, fiancé and husband. And the cutest baby daddy in the world!


My planned route in college never included living with 4 guys and I certainly never expected that one of those guys would still be in my life all these years later. So that detour lead us to this...I really hope that one day all 6 of them load up a van and go out on a road trip of their own. 

(With the four of us sneaking behind them, of course). 


I also hope that my girls always try to take the road less travelled - because it builds strength. There was a path two feet from this "rock climbing" point, but they both wanted to climb so they did. 



We climbed all the way to the car, stopped a few more times, watched a movie, ate some snacks, avoided running over 183 prairie dog things, counted bison and ascended to over 9000 feet in the air, which is where I will leave you today. 


(And yes, this should totally be a Christmas card. What do you think, Cindy? We'd be done in July!)

10 comments:

  1. Love how you tied all these pics into your hopes and dreams for them! And they will remember because they have an amazing mom creating all these words to go along with their pictures that will spur there little memories and take them right back to that place. That last picture was definitely one of my faves from your trip!

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    1. Thanks, Shelly! I honestly never expected to enjoy this part of parenthood so much. I am so thankful for being able to raise babies with my besties!

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  2. I love looking at all y'alls pictures. I can see the friendship in you two and how those six kiddos love each other so very much.

    You guys should use that last pic and send a card from The Royal Hot Messes. Orrrrr you could style a super cool Royal hot mess Christmas card session. ;)

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    1. And now you made me cry! And I like that idea... Christmas cards - check! :)

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  3. I'm so glad you blog! Thanks for (1) being our friends (2) taking lots of pictures (3) blogging and (4) getting my Christmas card done in July! ;)

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    1. Thanks for sharing in every single bit of my crazy and loving me anyway! :)

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  4. Aw cute kids. Look at those smiles on those faces. So much happiness.

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  5. I say this all the time but seriously, could you guys have cuter kids?! Oh my goodness! Gap models have nothing on the six of them! And, I assure you that your kiddos will remember these times with fondness! Good job, mama!

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    1. Thanks, Holly! We joke about starting our own clothing/modeling line all the time. We may need another boy to even it up a bit! ;)

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