Phenomenal Cosmic Power, ITTY BITTY Living Space

(Ten points for anyone who can name what movie that title is from!)

So, we took a long weekend and had a mini-vacation last week.  To any bloggers out there that might be in a blogging slump, let me give you one piece of advice:  go vacation in exceedingly close quarters with your children.  You will generate enough stories to keep you hopping for a month.

Our trip is best recounted in pictures, and, as promised, I tried to be a little more artistic in my picture-taking.  And by "artistic" I mean "taking photos of something other than Stephen crossing his eyes".  I aim high.

(I've uploaded these shots in a smaller version, so the page wouldn't take forever to load.  For a better glimpse, just click on them.  And if you're wondering why I've labeled all my pictures with my domain name, it's not some weird ego-trip about the quality of my pictures. I've had some bloggy friends who have had some photos messed with; labeling them is just another way to protect your bloggy stuff.  Darn Internet Mean People.)

We stayed in this campground.  Here's a shot of our camper (borrowed from my parents), otherwise known as The Wind Chamber of Death:

The weather was beautiful, except for the wind--it blew 30 mph the entire time we were there.  That camper creaked and groaned and banged all day and all night.  And I sat up in my bed at 3 am and said, "Oh, how I love creating cozy memories with my family."  Yes.  That's exactly what I said.

But all was well every time I stepped outside our camper and was greeted with this view:

Not a bad way to start the day.

I call this next shot "Brothers".  Don't they look like they're all wrapped up in an important conversation?  I bet they're talking about how much they love their mom.

We made a few side trips, including a drive up to an elevation that let us see the aspen changing colors.  If you've never seen an aspen tree in person, put that on your list of life goals.

I was loving some vintage-looking painted signs we saw along the way.  "STOP THE CAR," I'd yell, so I could take a photo.  Hubs really likes it when I do that.  Just ask him.

But really, aren't these cool, and worth a little uncomfortable brake-slamming?

I really like this shot:

Here's a picture of the inside of the camper.  This is what it looks like when my family explodes:

The boys did some exploring and found several interesting rock formations in our campground.  They led us to this curious one, a heart shape right in the rock (the scope is difficult to see in the photo, but I could almost lie down in it.  If I made a habit of lying down in natural rock formations, that is).  Adam named this The Rock Of Love (that's pronounced lu-u-u-u-uv).

Here are my five favorite people:

And here's me, being a rugged mountain woman.  Thanks to the wind, the Man Hair evolved into Troll Doll Hair:

This next shot is entitled "Hey Mom I Found A Fire Ant THIS Big".  I can't imagine where this child gets his propensity for melodrama.  Cough, cough.

I really love this shot of my daughter's shadow.  Kind of cool, isn't it?

Hubs insisted I take this picture of his killer s'more making stick.  You have to love a man who's not afraid to get excited about things like this:

One of our favorite parts of visiting Colorado is driving across the flatlands of the Oklahoma panhandle and southeastern Colorado.  Even though I grew up in the mountains, I'm gradually beginning to appreciate the wide-open beauty of the plains.

Isn't that beautiful?  There's something very satisfying about knowing I live only a few short hours from land like that.  It makes me think that if things get too crazy, I could just pack up a covered wagon and head west, you know? 

They do outfit covered wagons with on-board DVD players, don't they?

 

Comments

[Melessa, Okie blogger]

I've been reading your blog for quite some time, and I have to say this is one of my all-time favorite posts. Well done!

[Myfriendconnie@SmockityFrocks]

Beautiful pictures! Hey! You weren't too far from me (TX panhandle). That last shot looks just like every road that comes in to our town.

[lisa h.]

Aladdin! it's on high rotation in our dvd player at the moment.

[Kelly @ Love Well]

"Aladdin." I can hear Robin Williams saying it now.

Loved the line about your family exploding. That's surely what it feels like, isn't it?

[phyllis]

that is one of my favorite lines from any movie anywhere...love that genie.

great post!

[Not the Queen]

Totally from Aladdin. Great movie!

[Mary]

Aladdin

[Gego]

My apologies to you, Dear Heart. I grew up camping in Arkansas, carried that love of mine on to my kids. Fafa was an infant and we camped on the shores of a lake near Houston. The play pen worked wonders. Then, there was the trailer on Lake Ouachita, followed by the condo on Lake Hamilton. All events involved water - fishing, skiing, swimming,listening, exploring.
My wish for you is many more Hubs dinners. He is really a great cook in the kitchen also. He knows how NOT to have pink laundry and can iron his own dress shirts. Don't let him slack on his duties!
Love and hugs, Gego

[Nicki]

First, I have to say, you are a brave woman! Second, we can call those "darn internet mean people" DIMPs. Hasn't happened to me yet, but it's just not right. The signs remind me of what I recently did to my husband while we were away for a little getaway--we can't miss a bloggy opportunity, now can we? They are all great pictures. This post rocks!

[kelli]

You are the absolute cutest troll doll I've ever seen. It would only be cuter if your hair was orange, or maybe green :)

Looks like y'all had the best time. Exploding family and all. So glad you had a great time to just be with the family!

[Alissa]

Aladdin

[motomom]

A very windy camping trip - not a tree around, and a hornet's nest in the outhouse+one injured mom in lots of pain and therfore very unhappy led to my husband buying a truck with a camper top. Best investment we ever made. I heart camping. Sounds like you had a great time!

[peach]

Great photos. Great scenery. How I love Colorado!

Aladdin was the first video (yes, back when VHS was it, baby) my DP bought me. He got it as a birthday present for me the year before we got married. I still have a soft, gooshy spot in my heart for it. : )

Glad you had a great time away and glad you're back.

[Clemntine]

And WE spent the weekend just south of Lake Tenkiller in the coolest campground in all of Okiedom. Y'all would love it! www.marvalresort.com

Three years (and one kid) ago, we had a great little pop-up. We traded up for a travel trailer with 4 bunks and now we're in the market for a motorhome. Oh, how I love the great views out my front door when we go camping!!

Awesome photos, Shannon, and I couldn't agree more about camping being the best breeding ground for blog fodder...kinda makes me wish I had a blog...

[Chelsea]

Aladdin -- 10 points for me!

Congrats on surviving and loving your family vacation. My childhood roap trips were more like family hostage situations...

[Stacie]

I saw what you are reading on the table in your camper... The Time Traveler's Wife... loved that one!

[kelli in the mirror]

Aladdin, of course. :)

And he really stops the car when you yell for him to do it? I'm impressed. I think my husband would have a fit. And NOT stop.

[Sincerely Anna]

Awesome pictures!

[chickadee]

you've certainly got my admiration for camping with 4 kids in a pop up camper. but the scenery is sure beautiful and staying in a camper makes you want to get outside, right?

[~heather]

...totally off topic, but what happened to your crafts link page??? I miss it!

[Jesse]

I get points for knowing it's Aladdin! Do I get more points for knowing that it was both Genie AND Aladdin that say that line? *grin*

You sure are brave - as the oldest of four, I can only be in awe that you haven't pulled all of your hair out yet. *grin* As it is, I'm still in awe that my mother hasn't as well - of course, we're probably why my father's hair went grey so early! *grin*

I'm glad you had fun! Love the pics!

[Deborah]

its aladdin!!! i love the genie! :) your trip sounded like fun. tee hee! :)

[The G-Ma]

Dearest Roxanne Mai,

You are some brave hardscrabble pioneer mama to venture forth to vacate in a softshelled camper-trailer, or whatever those contraptions are called. Your favorite people are blessed to sit at your table.

To see pristine landscapes, unscathed by urban plight, must warm them ole cockles! And to capture this beauty in photos just begs comparison.

Hope your wee reprieve from the ordinary sparks more creative excesses. It's what we were made for and do best.

Thanks for your blog. It always gifts us with a smile or a big ole laff!

[dcrmom]

ALADIN! Okay, I'm a little late to the party. Going back to read the post now. ;-)

[chocolatechic]

Ack! You drove the panhandle. You deserve some chocolate!!!

[dcrmom]

Wow. Gorgeous scenery. Yall look like you're having so much fun!

[Staci at Writing and Living]

Looks like a great trip - apart from the Wind Chamber of Death and the exploding family, that is.

[stephanie]

This former Okie is a little homesick looking at that last picture ... and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the mountains! Mountains over beach any day, thankyouverymuch. :)

[Everyday Mommy]

"The Wind Chamber of Death".

ROFL! I know exactly what you mean.

[Poppy]

Ooh! Ooh! Pick me! It's from Aladdin! One of my favorite Disney movies!

[sam]

Aladdin of course. How sad is it that I remember that and my kids are 13, 15, 17 and 19? Needless to say it has been a while since we watched it.

[Ranelle]

Aladdin! Do we save our points for fabulous prizes?!

[Cindy]

We just camped in our pop-up with our four kids for a few days and I blogged about it, too! My favorite moments are when the kids are fighting in the ITTY BITTY living space. This trip we found a new campfire treat that I LOVED...spread peanut butter on an apple slice and top with two roasted marshmallows. It tastes like a carmel apple!

[Jenny from Chicago]

I camped for the first time this summer but it was with other women and their kids (no men allowed) we each did a meal so nobody was cooking all the time. It was soooo much fun, we are definitely going again.

[GiftGuru]

Aladdin...!!! Great play on words. I guess everyone else figured it out as well !!!

[Someone Being Me]

I am totally jealous of the s'mores roaster and the fact that you made s'mores. I have requested my husband buy me an outdoor firepit the last 2 winters specifically for this purpose. I could use my fireplace but it's just not the same as sitting outside in the cold making s'mores in the dark.

[Deb - Mom of 3 Girls]

Those photos are beautiful! And that quote from Aladdin so fits. Glad you had a good time! Our weekend trip provided quite a lot of blog post fodder as well... :)

[Emily]

It's from Aladdin, of course! :)

Your trip looks like fun!

[Shalee]

Beautiful, Shannon. Just beautiful!

[Jeni]

Hey, I get 10 points! It's from Aladdin.

[Anna]

Is it sad that I'm also very impressed by the s'mores stick? I'm going to be trying that technique next time I go camping.

[Julie]

Yep, I know the answer too -- Aladdin. Great pictures today! :)

[Faerylandmom]

That line is totally from Aladdin...sheesh...challenge me, wouldja? :-) Just kidding.

Great shots, all around. And kudos to the hubs for his s'mores stick. Quite the accomplishment! LOL

[cindy]

Looks like a wonderful getaway for the entire family. Loved your photos. Do you have a link somewhere on how to put your domain on your photos?

[Simply Chelsea]

Glad you had a great getaway! Thanks for posting your photos.

[Marie]

Aladdin (sigh)

[hogphan]

Wonderful pix! I can close my eyes and see the aspen leaves quaking in the breeze and changing colors this time of the year, and the mountains, and the snow on them each morning, and that bright blue sky unlike any other, and that smell of the spruce and.......

[Holly]

Nice Aladdin reference in the title! We haven't been brave enough to take our boys camping yet, but it sounds like your family had a great time. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures with us!

[Melanie]

It's not vacation if someone doesn't r*de on Daddy's shoulders. :>)

Great pics!

[Dana]

I too LOVED this post. I truly love your blog, but I really like it when you show us more about YOU!! With pictures. I love the picture of you and you do NOT have man hair. It is cute :)
Looks like you guys had a great time on your camping trip. Except, the space does look a bit....small! thanks again for all the wonderful photos. I too wondered what kind of software you used for your watermark. Did you just do layers and add it as text? If you could do an EASY (basic for retards like me) how to on how to watermark your photos in Corel Photo or Photoshop...that would be awesome! I read all the stuff about people's photos being lifted and it worries me!

Thanks Shannon :)

[Amy]

Lovely! I especially love the 3 brothers picture - very sweet.

[Tanys]

Oooh I know, I know! (hand raised high in the air)...

Aladin.

[Jenni]

I just love not camping!

I'm glad YOU guys had a good time, though.
Great pictures!!

[GiBee]

So ... I was kind of feeling sorry for you when you said you went camping with your family. I had visions of the family jammed into a tent, with the wind howling around you.

That was, until I saw that you had a camper, and were properly protected from the elements. I felt much better after that!

Truly, the only SMART way to camp!

[Kathy Gillen/ lessons from the laundry]

We used to camp, but never tried it with kids. Thanks for reminding me why. Love the pics and so glad you got to see the Aspens.

[Michelle]

10,000 years will give you such a crick in the neck!!!

Aladdin...I have the entire movie memorized, I do believe :-)
Michelle

[Thea @ I'm a Drama Mama]

Aladdin! Yay!

Those are quite artsy fartsy, in my opinion. And I love that one of your daughter's shadow. The fence is cool, too!

[jubilee]

My idea of camping is no wifi in the hotel room. Kudos to you though for an adventure that I'd never be brave enough to attempt. But then you did get some great pics and family memories!

Your hubby slams on the breaks for photo ops?! Wow! I am in awe. The only thing my hubby slams on the breaks for is impending projectile vomiting. BG

[Joy of course]

Oh I loved this post. Great job on the artistic pictures. :)

[Beth @ The Natural Mommy]

ALADDIN! More spefically, the genie in the movie Aladdin. More specifically, the genie voiced by Robin Williams in the movie Aladdin.

Can I use my points to on your bloggy giveaway site? So that maybe I might actually win something? Please?

Ok, I'll look at the rest of the post now.

[PinkJeweledCat]

That's totally from the movie Alladin. I have kids you know. HeeHee Ta for now dahling!

[Muni]

I am chiming in late here but yes Aladdin. Hey I love your blog and I can totally relate to this post. But you beat me by a long shot. I only have 1 little one right now.

[Julie]

First of all, Aladdin.

Second, that fence (in CO) looks like the one at the Emerald Ranch.

Third, I know what you mean about Wind Chamber of Death. We had one of those but then we traded it in for the fifth wheel we are living in at the moment. Hopefully for only a couple of more weeks though.

Love the photos!!

[TRS]

I'm so glad you can appreciate the wide open spaces. I grew up in Nebraska and I really tire of the people I meet who say... oh what a horrible drive! Nebraska is BORING. There's nothing to see!

Nothing to see?! You can see for miles! Which is more than I can say for the East coast... where everywhere you look all you see are trees. How the heck are you supposed to see where you're going? Makes me clausterphobic when I'm driving out there.

So anyway... Yay scenic driving!!