Home To Wyo

Just a few shorts days after Gelsey and my mom left, we made the drive back to Wyoming for what was our FIRST vacation of the year.  With everything going on this year (building a house, having a baby...you know...nothing big or anything) we just haven't had the time to go anywhere.  We had been looking forward to this for a few months, and we were so excited to finally be going!

We left on Thursday night, September 22.  We drove through the night, as per tradition for the past few years.  We find that this is just a little easier with kids, because they sleep most of the time and you arne't making the frequent stops for potty breaks and for eating.  Our kids traveled like champs, and we made great time...about 13 and a half hours.  We were kind of dragging on Friday...especially Cameron who did the driving from about 11:30 pm to about 6:30 am.  But we got a couple naps throughout the day, and went to bed early and felt much better the next day.

Good thing, too, because the next day was Cameron's birthday!  Also, it was the day of the Wyoming vs. Nebraska football game, which was part of the reason we went home.  We thought it would be a lot of fun to be able to go back to a football game on Cameron's birthday against such a great opponent.  This is the first football game Cameron has been to since we graduated, and my second.  Unfortunately, Wyoming couldn't pull off a win (it probably would have been a miracle if they had), but we still had fun.

After the game we went back home and ate cake for Cameron's birthday really quick.  It was pretty late, and once we got kids to bed, we didn't have much time for anything else!  I totally forgot to get out my camera for cake time...but I know my mom has some pictures, so maybe I can get some from her.  :)

We spent the rest of the week hanging out, visiting, shopping, riding bikes and just running around the old stomping grounds.  Cameron was thrilled because he actually got to use his mountain bike on some REAL trails (although his bike now has a popped tire because of it:)).  We also got to run over to the University while Landon was napping one day and see some old friends, shop in the bookstore, and take a few pictures.

UW Class of 2030???  :)

Laramie was having BEAUTIFUL weather the whole time we were there.  I'm talking mid 70's, which is Wyoming is HOT because of the high altitude.  I had packed clothes anticipating some cooler weather, so that kind of stunk, but we loved that we got to spend so much time outside and letting kids run around and play.  We bought Miley a scooter while we were there and she was out on that thing all day.

The babies playing together. 

Poppa and two of his grandsons...I LOVE this picture.  :)

The last night we were there was gorgeous, so Kipp was looking at the stars with Bode and Miley (notice the short sleeves and skirt on Miley...at nighttime...in Wyoming...in September.  CRAZY!)...

...then we finished off the night with a fire and some s'mores.  It was the perfect way to end a wonderful week. 

We drove back home Saturday night, and got back to Maple Grove early Sunday morning, October 2.  Again, we were a little worn out from the all-nighter, but it was nice to have the day to recuperate.

It was such a great vacation.  It was relaxing, fun, and just what we needed!  We are already missing everyone, but are hoping to be back soon.  :)

More Visitors!

We had so much fun with Don while he was here, and we didn't have much time to feel too lonely because the night he left, my mom, sister, and my nephew all flew in!

This was my sister's first time back to Minnesota since September of 2009 (when we all spent a portion of their trip sick...good times!), and it was so great that my mom decided to take the trip with her as well.  We had a few "Minnesota" type things we wanted to do in the short time they were here, and I am pretty sure we were able to accomplish all of them!

It was also the first time Gelsey got to meet Mr. Landon, and for Landon to meet his cousin, Cruze, who is only 4 months older than him!  They had a great time "playing" together (more like, just looking at each other), taking baths together, etc.  I am also pretty sure that Cruze is to blame for Landon crawling....I think what can I say?  Monkey see, monkey do.  :)

We spent some time shopping, and eating out at some yummy places...one of those being the Malaysian place that we took my parents to when they were out here in May.  Gelsey has been dying to go there, after hearing that it was pretty legit, and I have to say, it didn't disappoint.  The only thing I am bummed about, is that now, a month later, I realized we forgot to order one of our favorite Malaysian dishes, mee hoon.  Oh well.  I still think Gelsey was pretty satisfied with the roti canai, satay chicken, and the mango chicken. 

Also on the agenda was the apple orchard.  This has pretty much become a tradition of ours every fall, and it was so fun that my mom and sister and Cruze were able to come.  Plus, it is a "Minnesota experience..." or at least an experience that they don't get in Colorado and Wyoming.  We were able to pick apples and raspberries, take pictures at some of the fun things around the orchard, and enjoy apple cider brats.  Yummy!  It was a bit chilly, but it was the perfect way to spend a fall day.

It was a quick trip (really, anytime we have company I feel like any amount of time is too short), and before we knew it, it was Sunday and they had to catch their early morning flight.  Fortunately, we weren't apart for too long, because Cameron and I drove back to Wyoming that Thursday and spent the next 9 days there!  More on that coming in the next post..

Thanks Gelsey and Mom (and Cruzey!) for making the time and effort to come out and see us!  We loved having you, and already wish you were coming again!

September Was A Busy Month!

Wow.  I have definitely fallen off the blogging bandwagon.  This tends to happen to me when we get really busy, and then it seems like I have so much to catch up on...it is much more daunting to catch up on 4 or 5 posts than it is to just keep up with them one at a time.

So in an attempt to do just that, I will start recapping our September with a few posts.  September was full of family and visitors, which is always a wonderful break from the normal routine.

For the first couple weeks of September, Don was back from India for work stuff, so we got to spend Labor Day weekend, and the next weekend with him.  We made sure to fill him up with steaks, hamburgers, barabeque chicken, etc.  Do you notice a theme?  I am pretty sure that their whole family is sorely missing meat, and barbeque over there, so Don was the lucky one that got to take advantage of being back in the states (but we will just pretend that he was eating lentils and rice the whole time, right Cindy??  :)).

During the weeks while Don was doing his work stuff, I stayed busy shopping for them...stocking up on food, treats, and a bunch of other things that they can't find over there to send back with Don.  We thought it may be a little bit of a problem when they first bag we packed weighed 125 pounds (yikes!) but in the end we managed to distribute everything to three different bags, and Don was able to take back MOST of what Cindy had requested.    

It was so fun to catch up with him, and hear about all the adjustments and the things they have gotten to experience over there so far.  Miley was thrilled to have Don around, and didn't even ask too much about one of her favorite people, Nathan.  It was also nice for us to have him come stay with us.  We have really been missing having family up here, and it felt like it was kind of back to normal (just minus a few other people!).  We countdown every month until they get back...but fortunately we will get to see Don again in January.  I just think he needs to bring the whole fam this time.  :)

Next post...my sister and mom come to Minnesota!