Road Trip

There are some things you can see and do (besides save a couple thousand bucks) on a road trip that you just couldn't do if you were flying.

As you can see, Myles is hand feeding squirrels. (I reminded him that they were wild animals, NOT pets). We were surrounded by these guys at a fun park in Cheyenne with a big pond, playgrounds, and art gallery, where we even saw a pelican. We were sad we just missed their rodeo days.

Most people thought we were crazy to attempt the 21-hour car ride (each way without stops). My brothers reminded me of our "fond" childhood memories of making the same trip in our old station wagon. Those who sat in the back (which was extra hot) got cooperation quarters if they didn't complain.

Our girls did really well. They enjoyed making and playing with finger puppets. Myles read The Phantom Toll Booth. We also listened to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Junie B. Jones, part of The Black Stallion, and Bill Cosby's stand-up. (His Chocolate Cake is one of our favorites)! Grammy equipped them with their own bags full of stuff to do on the ride home.

We had fun stopping for picnics and treats along the way. I had to take pics. of this safari-themed McDonald's in Iowa City because when I was a little girl, I dreamed of having my very own monkey room. My mom told me I could have one when I grew up and had my own place. I haven't made one yet. Surprising.

Pioneers

One of our highlights was stopping at Winter Quarters in Omaha, NE. We got to dress up like pioneers, take a tour, and see the temple.

Our 2-day drive in a rental car (with AC) was really put into perspective when compared to the hardships the pioneers had and the sacrifices they made on the same route! It was good timing to have that experience just before returning home to celebrate Pioneer Day.

We were surprised to step out of the car and have our glasses fog up. It was so hot and humid (129 degrees with the heat index) that the local newspaper headline read, "A Day When A Sauna Seems Inviting."

Camp Grammy 2010

I was so happy to finally pull into Camp Grammy at the Tim's River that I had to hold back the tears! Seriously.

Traditions we kept alive:

Swimming everyday possible
Starved Rock
Ruffner Party
Ping Pong
Camp Craft (hair clips and puppets this year)
Swimming with Maryn and Avery
S'mores over the grill
Jukebox party
Mouse Trap
Mary Poppins (with popcorn, of course)
Playing on the driveway
Having fashion shows with good deals from Gram
Big spider sightings
Frogs in the pool
Lightning Bugs
Pizza with Allen

New Memories/Traditions:

visiting our old schools, parks
feeling Robins Jr. kick
Aunt Jeanne's blueberry pie
Rita getting in the pool with the girls and being Macy's nurse
"Sleeping" down on the deck by the river
Toy Story 3 in 3D
DC shirts from Mike
Macy and Carly learning to jump in and swim across the pool
Sparklers for Camp Grammy Closing Ceremonies

Funniest Moment of Camp Grammy 2010:

Tyler thinking Mike was his dad. (My brothers are identical twins). When Tom took off his glasses in the pool, Tyler reached out his arm to Mike and cried, "Dad, Dad, Dad!" When they stood by each other and Emily asked who was his dad, he said, "Two."

I was sorry I didn't get more pics. of the Ruffner party. We're so glad for everyone who drove down, and really missed everyone who couldn't make it this year! (I'm still in denial that you've really moved, Tom and Sue).

Joys from June

Macy: Mom, I think I love you more than myself.

Macy: I love you across the river and over the hill, to Grandma's house and back...I love you more than the sun.

Carly: She was starch naked!

Our pet snail crawled out of its container during the night. In the morning, Macy found it stuck to a cantaloupe on our counter and carried it into me, saying: This is SO random!

Macy: Today, I am as happy as a smile.

Carly: Mom
Me: What?
long pause
Carly: I love you, Mom...that's what I always say when I forgot what I was going to say.

Macy at the dinner table: Raise your hand if your name is I Love You.

Macy's version of the 4th Article of Faith: We believe that the 1st principles and ordinances of the Gospel are--1st faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2nd repentance, 3rd baptism by "emergency" for the remission of sins, 4th laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Should be immersion).

Macy: Mom, would you rather be in a trash can or a crocodile?

(While I was doing her hair) Macy: Mom, I love you.
Me: Singing a song to her
Macy: I can feel the Spirit.

Carly: I'm sorry, Mom.
Me: For what?
Carly: For being crabby today.

Myles: Usually, you want to marry someone who has the same beliefs as you...
Carly: Yeah, and the same height as you so you can kiss each other and dance together.

(While cleaning up Carly's milk spill) Macy: I'm treating you as if it were your birthday.

What a fun age...

when it's so fun to help!

Half Way?!

The other night, when I woke up and couldn't fall back asleep, I suddenly had the thought: Robyn is almost nine. That means she's halfway to being grown up and moving out of the house. Really? No, way! This couldn't be true. I started to panic and then feel oh so sad...

Take note of her "cell phone" on the table. She and Carly pretend to send each other texts. I wonder what she'll be sending by the time she's in college. (E-mail hadn't quite caught on yet, when I was a freshman).

I took her for a consultation with an orthodontist the other day. He said to bring her back in a year. At least we don't have to worry about that yet.

She wanted me to take this pic. to show off her wavy hair after taking out her french braid. She's writing one of her many thank you notes, a tradition passed on to me by my mom.

I'm so glad she's in our family. I'm glad I'll always be her mom no matter how old she may be!

Celebrating our Freedom, Our Family

Some Highlights:

Myles' (91-yr-old) grandma riding the go-carts. After one lap, she got off and said, "I'd rather keep my liver and kidneys in the same place, thank you."

"The Wheel of Death" (Uncle Gaven's homemade merry-go-round)

"Happy Shapes" (the Lucky Charms equivalent)

fishing and squishing (it was a wee bit muddy out there)

being among luscious green meadows, little rivers, and a herd of sheep

riding a 4 wheeler for the first time

All the fam, of course (we missed everyone who couldn't make it)!

Knock Your Block Off

patriotic hair bows

Going to Grandma's old church together with cousins

Aunt Frances teaching Robyn's class

Laffy Taffy (ha, ha, maybe NOT so funny for some of us)

sunny, cool weather

Carly's eye being OK after getting 2 weeds stuck in it while riding the go-carts, and the cool shades everyone's wearing after the incident (thanks, Aryl, for your help)

Hearing Gaven and Janell sing and play the guitar

Our car rides. On the way home, we were asking the kids random questions...
Me: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Ryan: Uncle Gaven's!

Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Dylan: Whatever Uncle Gaven is!

Edible Art

Thanks to my friend's fabulous garden and generosity, we enjoyed some edible arts and crafts!

What could be happier than this?

Today, at the table, Macy asked Myles if he loved her more than himself. When he answered yes, Carly was very surprised. It is amazing how much you can love your kids, how happy they can be, and how happy they can make you feel!