Home Humid Home

It hit us smack in the face somewhere in eastern Nebraska. The moisture, thick, wooly, and sticky hung in the air like a damp pair of old drapes covering the window to the east. "Welcome home", it chided..."we knew you'd be back"...thick sarcasm matching the thick atmosphere...it was becoming hard to breathe...

WE'RE HOME!!

We pulled into Tonica late last night after breaking down the night before in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was actually incredible timing. The battery light popped up on the dashboard literally minutes before pulling off the interstate into Lincoln and the engine only started smoking as we pulled into the driveway of the Holiday Inn Express. If we were going to break down somewhere on this trip, this was definitely the place to do it. The hotel was great, spacious room, a little kitchen area, an indoor pool and working spa, accomodating staff who let us check out at 3 pm instead of 11 am. They also shuttled Mark back and forth between the auto repair shop where the staff there were even better...got our van up on their repair deck first thing, diagnosed the problem, had the part in stock, replaced the part, changed the oil, and all before 2 pm. Like I said, as far as tragedy goes, we had it pretty easy. I kept thinking, what if this had happened in the middle of Wyoming? When there are no rest stops or towns worth a fig for miles and miles??? We were glad to be in Nebraska...only about 6 hours from home.

Rewind to the night before that which was spent in Rawlins, Wyoming...the most expensive hotel of the trip for wha??? They know they gotcha is what it is...where are you going to go, really?

The night before that was spent in Orem, Utah at the Casa de Day. The girls swam in fifty degree weather with their adventurous cousins, as the adults watched from the lookout tower of the GREAT SUNROOM...holy cow!! What a view!! We visited and ate oven-baked pizza, drank root beer, and remarked over and over again at how time flies, how quickly children grow, and where has the time gone?!? Earlier that day we were treated to a lunchtime barbeque with one of Mark's besties, Tony Mosier and his cute family in Highland, Utah. They have 5 kids now and they are cute, CUTE, CUTE!! Their youngest is a little blonde baldy named Millie who doesn't crawl, she scoots...on her bum using one arm and one leg like a little pirate with a wooden peg leg. She and Parker played on the floor and had us all crying with laughter and cooing over their deliciousness...seriously, you would have died at the cuteness levels in that household that day.

The night before that was spent in a Red Lion Hotel in downtown SLC. Dinner was shared at the Olive Garden right downtown with the Iman's...that's the family that belongs to one of my dearest roomates and companions of all time...Sister Diane Gerdy herself!! Her kids are adorable and got along with ours famously. We can't wait to see what happens another 10 years from now...possibly a love connection?!? That would be hilarious...can you imagine Diane and I as co-mother-in-laws? Too much!! Earlier that day a stop was made in one of the most beautiful places on earth...Malad, Idaho. We visited with Great Grandma for a bit, and soaked up some love and memories. We were both so moved after pulling away from the homestead...such history, such spirit, such love. We hope this isn't the last time we see her! What an amazing lady!!

The night before that was spent in Rigby, Maryn up sick most of the night...postponing our trip by a day. It was okay though, gave us some extra time to say even longer goodbyes to our family there. Regrettably though, we didn't take nearly enough pictures...I am still flogging myself daily in penance. AAGH!!

The trip in Rigby was incredible!! We got to do everything on our "to do" list, thanks to many family members. Thanks to Grandpa Brown for go-karts, trips to the Climbing Mountain park, rides on the 4-wheeler, babysitting Parker so we could go to West Yellowstone and see PlayMill again!! It was Beauty & the Beast this year...awesome!! Loved it!! Thanks also to Aunt Melanie and Aunt Shalee for babysitting the girls so Mark and I could escape to the Rexburg Temple for the afternoon. That was truly a treat!! We enjoyed meals out, FRY SAUCE!!, Heidi's Fudge, lots of play time with cousins (plenty of talking on swings and playing with Checkers the dog), talk time with sibs and in-laws, Mormon Bridge, and plenty of walks down memory lane. The time flew and we enjoyed every second of it. Sad that it's over so soon.

One of these days I'll download some pics to the old computer and get some posted for your viewing pleasure...but not today...I'm too busy sitting on my duff in sweatpants doing the millionth load of laundry for the day. I hope you understand.

Love to all!!!