Travel take 3

We had a great day on day 3... no real travel progress.. but a fun family vacation day.  We decided to go to the Rocky Mt National Park since we had to forgo going up to Yellowstone, the Badlands, or Mt. Rushmore as they were all too far off the highway for our young travelers... pocket that for when they are older.  And judging by the way they enjoyed the one day they spent being "Rangers".. they will love that someday plan.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH!!!

It was a beautiful day up in the Rockies.  Warm and sunny.. then a quick change to cloudy and rainy.. then back to sunny!

As we were driving up we stopped at one of those lookout points. Garrett was happy to see a grey jay through "benoculars" (he still calls them that). He also got to pet a chipmunk as it was scurrying away.  Getting back into the car,  Addie said "well. Hiking is over now." .. haha we had only walked from our car to the ridge a few feet away!

We traveled up to Ridge Path Road, the highest paved road in the US. We were over 12,000 ft high! Above the tree line.. where nothing but mossy stuff grows. The mountains were green and rolling up there.. which forced me to bust out with a fabulous rendition of "The hills are alive... with the sound of music...." (to which addie covered her ears). 

The huge rocks were fun for us all to climb. Addie was successful and proud. Garrett scaled them in sandals.  And Micah had no fear.  Sadly we didn't see any big horn sheep or elk as Matt had hoped ... but as Garrett recorded in his journal we saw a few butterflies, some flies, a bird, and a marmot chewing on the wood at the bathrooms.  Now really.. what's an elk when you see all that?!

Travel take 2

Long day of traveling.  Utah was beautiful.  I declared myself a tree hugger once again.  Must be the hippie OU in me ;)  Then we crossed into Wyoming. Uhhh.. sorry to the "Cowboy State" but I am not a fan.  Seeing a lot if antelope and buffalo was cool though. Garrett even wrote about it in his journal as something to remember. 

We crossed back over to the green again in Colorado.  Oh my... I just love Co!  I saw Denver earlier this spring and it was awesome.  This time we were in Fort Collins ... again,  maybe it's the hippie OU in me but I felt right at home in that little college town.  The downtown is so quaint and unique.  I'm thinking i should finally take Matt up on his GI bill and go back to school at CO State.  I could be a Ram fan!!

We had a great dinner. Stopped at a cupcakery. Listened to a band at an in town festival. ... great night!

Next up.. a "Vacation Day"  (no traveling!)

Travel take 1

We are not the most punctual people. Nor do we succeed in leaving bright and early for road trips.  So it was no surprise to me when we left Fernley at 3:30. Yet still,  I've got to say I was frustrated. I had said my goodbyes. I had cried.  The kids were also over the goodbye process and quite bored in our empty house.  Poor Matt.. he is taking the heat here.. but it wasn't his fault. Checkout at work was less than organized and quite annoying.

However, we were finally off.  We waved goodbye to our small town. Before long Fernley was in our rear view mirror. A mixed bag of emotions.. wrapped in excitement for the journey and adventures ahead.

The kids got their first "surprise" (just fun car ride keep busy stuff) and went to work... making me happy because they used their travel clip board cases.  Soon Addie and Micah were sleeping and G had on his head phones to accompany the book he was reading.  I soaked up the peace and quiet for a good while... knowing there will be many not so peaceful times to follow.

After 3.5 hours we stopped for dinner at the mecca of sandwich artists .. Subway of course.  We got out ... and Addie said "Is this Jacksonville?!" Oh my.. we were still in NV!  We kept going and still made it to Salt Lake City like we wanted to, however,  we didn't get to see the city, lake, or swim at the hotel. Seemed like a beutiful and clean city... at least from my hotel window this morning.

Happy trails! Utah is beautiful :)

Travel Clip Board Cases

I was going to get the kids some cute travel cases with a clip board lid... hand painted all cute... but then my DIY mind took over and said "do it yourself!" (what else did you think a DIY mind would say?!)

I got the bins at Target... they are great because they are squat yet fit papers with out bending. Good for little laps that need to be creative during a long car ride across the country!

I had clip boards already that I had inherited a while back.  I used a few for teacher gifts when i made the Chalkboard Clipboards.  Happy to use a few more!

I got patterned Duct Tape.. been wanting to try it!

oh and i used my new Exacto knife with a swivel blade.. love it!  (it's just a cheapie but works!)

These are so easy and take no time!!  Make one before your next summer trip :)

Garrett's finished Clip Board Case

I stretched the Duct Tape from one side of the lid to the other.  Be sure to press down into the groves of the lid and along side of the clip board.  Trim at end.

For the extra space on the top at each side of the clip,  I laid the tape down and used the Exacto Knife to trim around.

I did Addie's first.. and i laid the tape vertically.  I noticed it started to bubble up in the middle.  So when I did Garrett's I laid the tape horizontally and creased it into the grove and up and around the edge of the lid.  I think that way works best.. so I suggest that :)

 

 

Car Ride.. Here We Come!!

(oh yeah, I'm convinced these will prevent all "are we there yet?" questions.  NOT!)

Boxes and Boxes of Life

This is the view from my computer right now....

I am actually Relaxing for the first time in a few days.  Pretty much what I can do for the move.. at this point.. is done.  I like that.  We have moved 6 times already... I have no need to worry that my job is over.  i Know what is waiting for me on the other end!  :)

Seeing all these boxes used to stress me out. I used to worry so much about something getting broken.  Now I just sort of hope it doesn't .. and expect that it will.  Of course I hope it's nothing of great value or worse something sentimental... but really, it is out of my control.  and If it can be packed in a box.. ultimately it's just not that important.

I am so glad that my sense of worth is not linked to what can be packed into boxes.  or how nice the stuff in the box is.  I like nice things as much as the next person.. but when you are sitting here looking at your "life" in boxes, you realize it's not your "life" at all.  God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and three little ones for us to love and raise together.  And those are the things that cannot be boxed up.  (not to say i haven't thought of shipping myself to avoid the long car ride..hehehe!) 

That being said... there are some things Inside those boxes that just really really mean a lot.  They are things that need to be taken from place to place.  From home to home.  They make things feel normal, good, and safe.  If you have a child who has a special blanket or animal to sleep with.. you know what i mean!  In our case it's "Bubby".  And I'm willing to bet you too would open 10 boxes in a little boy's room to find said "bubby".  Yep .. last night going to sleep we couldn't find Garrett's bubby (it's a bunny from Bunnies By The Bay and when G was little, he couldn't say bunny.. so it's been Bubby ever since.. even for Addie and now Micah asks for "bu-buh").  Yes, Garrett is almost 8... and maybe he shouldn't have Bubby any more... but really, it's not hurting anything. He only sleeps with it.  And it's a constant for him.  I'm ok with it.

There we were Opening 10 boxes in Garrett's room.  Let's just say I was a little jealous that I had opened 9 and Matt walked in and opened 1... and scored!   But I was sure relieved that we found Bubby.  We taped up the boxes.... shhhhhh.. Don't tell the movers.... they can think they successfully packed up our "life".

Bubby 1. 2. and 3.

Firecrackers & Friends

I Love the 4th of July!!  

This year we spent it with our friends, the Stangers, that have become extended family in Lake Tahoe.  Not a bad place for the 4th :)   It was awesome.  So relaxing. We spent the entire day on the beach watching the kids have a blast!  The water is way too cold for my liking but the breeze kept us cool and the sun was hot!  The kids braved the lake, the pool, the hot tub, and a boat ride!  Snacking and sipping cold drinks was the extent of "work" for us... and we were all just fine with that!  We had a delicious American meal and headed back to the beach for the fireworks.. which did Not disappoint.  A great display!

A nostalgic day .. loved hearing Addison refer to it as "America Day" while waving her flag in her "American babing suit" (no that's not a typo).  But a twinge of sadness crept up often .. though successfully suppressed for now.  I can't bear to think about saying good bye to my dear friend Jessica and her lovely family.  So it's hard not to think about it being "the last" or that we won't be able to do things like this in the near future.  We've agreed not to deal with it right now.. so i'll move on to cute pics of the kids!   and very uncharacteristic of me, I didn't take many pics :(  but here are a few faves.

Miss America

chillaxin

Cutest Patriot Award

Happy America Day!!!

Beautiful Lake Tahoe at sunset

Toes lookin festive!

Waiting for the fireworks.. with swimming eyes

joined by a friend..... sigh

Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July as well!!!  Happy Birthday USA!

when in doubt.. craft

I'm in the not so exciting season of saying "good-bye" or rather "see you later" right now.  It can become very emotional and at times very dry.  Sometimes I can't stop crying.. sometimes I feel like i should be crying.. and I can't.  It's hard to explain.  .. and maybe only appreciated by someone who has been around the block a few times. 

Saturday night was sort of one of those nights.  I didn't want to say good-bye to my friend Kristyn.. and i knew it would be hard.  But at the same time we are both excited for the next few weeks... many fun things to come! 

Kristyn still had to pack for her big trip up to Washington .. so I was just hanging out there, keeping her company.  She had this crazy idea that she needed to get her "July" wreath done and on her door.  So I figured I could craft away while she packed.  It fit perfectly for us... as we have spent many nights working on projects together. 

I told her it was fitting that her "military friend" made her "red white and blue July wreath"  :)

i made a mini one for myself too

Happy 4th!   or   Go Team USA!!

Totally simple.  Just cut strips of felt.  Wrap and Glue. 

When in Doubt... Craft!