A Trip Home

I have 2 apologies to make today.  First I went away for 2 weeks and didn't write a single blog or say where I had gone to.  It crossed my mind last week and I thought about hopping on a computer and updating my whereabouts.  I did not do this and  later heard there were disgruntled people out there who needed some reading material.  I'm sorry for the hiatus and can explain!  But it does feel nice to know someone noticed my absence.  Everyone needs a little boost like that sometimes.  My second apology is that I took a little trip and didn't get half the photos I should have.  We were so busy that the camera was forgotten about and I didn't even get a single picture of my mother or half the people we saw. For these things, I apologize and promise to do better in the future.

So on with the update!  Last Tuesday Rick and I decided we should take a quick trip back to Washington to see our loved ones.  After Tyson made some calls and checked his social calendar, he agreed it was time to go.  This was a surprise trip for my mother, hence the missing blog about being gone!  She is a smart lady and I didn't want to even say we were taking a short trip somewhere in case she would clue in.  When we arrived in Cashmere at her house, she was rendered speechless and the 24 hours of driving and slight mayhem were more than worth the look on her face.  The next 4 days were a whirlwind of activity, trying to fit in as many people as we could. ( I know I missed some and I'm really sorry!)  It was a great visit back home and I feel at peace in my heart, having some hugs and quality time with people I haven't seen in a long time and that I miss so dearly.  Here are the few pictures I took along the way.

First stop, flat tire in North Dakota.  Rick worked on the tire while I kept the children under control. ( I actually fed Andie in the field next to the road.  And yes I mean breastfed, cars and tractors passing by,while standing in a field of some unknown crop.)

Rick had the tire changed out in about 45 minutes.  And we were off again.

Andie claiming her hotel bed and standing her ground about it.

Tyson the luggage technician.  Look at the mountains in the background!  How I missed them.

Breakfast at Uncle George and Lauren's house.  Tyson used to go to their house every Monday and they always ate oatmeal with cranberries.  He had a very content look on his face this first morning home.

Tyson and Uncle George having a jam session.  They sang a song about a bird and one about a train.  Our son has some musical talent!

A park in Cashmere.

Some rock-climbing.

2 of my favorite girlfriends, Stacey and Amy, and our gaggle of kids.

Some pool time in Bismarck.

Action shot!

The drive from here to Wenatchee Washington is 24 hours.  These 2 little kids were so good, you wouldn't believe it unless you were there.  Not a peep out of either one, unless Andie was getting hungry.  She even popped out 2 little teeth on the trip and had minimal fuss over that.  Between Rick and I we have done something right in our lives to deserve such great kids.  We're not sure yet what it was we did so right, but it we'd do it again in a heartbeat!
We're back home now and glad to see our little house again.  Glad to be out of traffic and hotels.  Glad to have seen everyone back home, even though it wasn't enough time--though I don't think any amount of time would be.  Miss you all already.