Utah, Nevada...California!

To get into Arches, Zion, Grand Canyon, etc...

Grampa was so proud of his "Senior Pass."
You know what kinds of discounts you can get with this thing????
:-) Too bad Grampa lost his pass at the bottom of the Pacific when a surf board and "bigger waves than he'd seen in Hawaii" took him out.
Too bad his wallet was in his swim trunks...hence more than the pass was lost.
Good thing he's strong, healthy, has a good chiropractor and accupunturist...
and that his name is in a database so he can still get his "senior" discount!

After Arches, we saw the rest of Utah, sweat through Nevada/Las Vegas, and pressed on!

We made it to California quite late but were so relieved to be at our destination and to be able to stay for quite some time. Considering how our trip had begun, we managed to get back on "schedule."

Our camp site was perfect: a hundred feet from a playground, a hundred feet (or less) from the ocean waves, plus all the amenities (showers, laundry, a px...), and the best part?

seeing MB, Xavi, and Mario everyday we were blessed to be there!

**Much more to come...!

Utah...

The Trough Road was quite the trip!
Grampa white-knuckled it from Julie's to get us to Rifle, CO.
We looked out and were amazed at the views.
I heard later that Gramma kept saying, "Look, Phil!"
He responded by saying, "No."
I don't blame him. This view was one of the gorges where a train was passing through.

We didn't get the chance to stop to take better pictures, but for being out the window...
these are pretty cool!

At a rest area just entering Utah (probably the Visitor Center to get a free map),
Gabby and Owen ran around, climbed, and looked as far as the eye could see...One thing about this trip...Owen and Gabby (and the rest of us) had the opportunity to see so many different kinds of terrain...landscapes...beauty in all forms...Utah brought us to Arches National Park...after the kids went to bed,
I got to go see a late sunset...

Then, the next morning (after Owen found a 3-legged grasshopper...)

we all got to visit the park together.
The kids enjoyed the first stop and climbed and had a blast...

but after that, no snack or cajoling could convince them that they were seeing a National prize!
Appreciation for other things...hmmmm

The only thing that changed Owen's attitude a bit was seeing a desert lizard darting among the cactus...He has now learned that it is tough catching those little ones!

**For family who are curious...we were in California for 5 days (or so...it all melted together, this trip...) and then we saw the Grand Canyon. Today we saw New Mexico, a bit of Texas, the arm of Oklahoma, and are now in Kansas. I will be posting those pics soon enough!
We plan to be back to our point of origin by Saturday and home by Sunday...
MUCH more to come...

Last Few from Colorado...

I have only a minute, but thought I'd share a moments of our final time at Julie's:

The road through town heading back to Julie's from fishing...

We got out the Dora and Cars fishing poles, hitched up the sinkers, hooks, and bobbers...

and Grampa did most of the actual fishing!

There were only a few moments when Gabby and Elodie sat by each other.
Terrorizing Taz was their favorite pastime
poor guy!

To get all three to sit?...

Gabby did have a turn on the pump track too...when she did it herself,
she took the bike up the burm and sent the bike down...by itself.
So, I helped her out...

She had a blast

Uncle Todd sure was helpful...racing around and teaching Owen about bikes!

Parallel play?

Found time to relax...

played "tigers" with Owen...

the boys...

and a four-generation trip!

A rainbow over the truck...sign of promise and protection??

It's so nice to see Grampa smile!

Bike Riding

Here is a short one...Gabby makes an appearance too.
He isn't cruisin' as fast as I had seen him, but he shows his skills.
We didn't get to ride again today because the track got wet with rain...
Tomorrow morning? Our last morning?

Another day...

Soaking up sun, love, snacks and "poc-icles,"

we are still hanging out in Colorado and enjoying ourselves.
We've taken time to just BE, go slowly, read a book or two,
and even go out for ice cream!

Another day so busy that Owen fell asleep by 7...
Two nights in a row.
I am not complaining.
On the contrary, he fell asleep tonight without having dinner.
Now that's a tired boy! No...That's a tired Owen.
But doesn't it look like fun?

Gramma Momma has been feeling much better and was let out of the hospital to celebrate Julie's birthday and to spend time with all of us...
On the condition that she would return twice a day for her IV fluids/antibiotics.
If the culture is negative tomorrow, we are free to leave...
Owen will be sad to leave but excited to see what else we have planned!
The highlight for Owen so far?
T.O.'s pump track!

Owen started out slow a couple days ago, but now he is cruisin'!
We started calling him Boomba McQueen--he's so proud!

(You'd have to know him to understand his "boomba" language and he has a close connection to Lightning McQueen...what 5-year old does not know LM?)

I took a video of him riding two days ago,
but he's gotten so much better...I won't post it.
I'll get a good one tomorrow!

Grampa even took a turn!
Now...does this look like a guy who was let out of the hospital less then a week ago?

workin' his way around...

But then...one turn did him in and he realized he needed to take a breather.
We can at least tell his doctor that he is building that strength back up!

I am glad to be here...we all are.
We know God has a plan and will take care of us.
Kinda like Grampa takes care of his little ones...


And he takes good care of me!

Our hearts are good...
a rainbow between the camper and the mountains reminds us of God's promises.

Fun in the Midst of Challenge...

Auntie Julie's Birthday!
We slept in a bit this morning after someone (Little Miss Gabby)
had a fitful night's sleep. She tossed and turned and cried out for "momma!"
Perhaps she is worried about Gramma Momma.

Gramma Momma's RA pain escalated yesterday and it never subsided.
She and Grampa went to get it checked out and Dr's found infection.
She stayed the night last night, and we've had to go visit her because she can't be here.
She is sad, but we know God has her where she is supposed to be...just like Grampa.

Bikes and parks, swings and slides; we have been able to have a fun,
relaxing day even though we miss her.
We pray for a good prognosis and for her to feel better.

In the meantime, Grampa's girls are taking good care to make him smile.
They even lean in for hugs and kisses...

with a never-ending supply of goofy grins.

Today Owen said, "When am I going to see Daddy?"
I don't think a 5-year-old can yet understand the duration of time, hours vs. weeks.
He's learning. I promised we'd call so he could talk.
We miss you, Daddy! Give yourself lots of hugs for us!

Colorado!

Someone must be praying for me...My heart is in a good place...

The last day or two of our travels have been good for me.
The kids are getting into the groove,
we are not rushing or moving too fast,
we are trying to relax.
Why is that so hard for our family?

Why can't we take notes from a boy:
Find something simple in nature and let it occupy our heart, mind, and attention for hours...

Share that joy with others..."tickle it"

And feel accomplished when we do something we enjoy...
feel fulfilled to be in a new place or learning more about life from our experiences...
and being taller than Grampa!

Find a new path and explore just for the heck of it...
why do we say we "don't have time" to do simple things?

Why can a 5-year-old find so much enjoyment at a rest stop
yet we rarely take the time to stop and rest?
We adults think we've experienced so much.

Toys don't have to be new and rocking horses don't have to be pink plastic.
Yards don't have to have grass to be fun for all.

Skies don't always stay blue on a clear day, but the fun does not have to stop if it rains.
Cool mornings do not mean cool days.

If you want to wear pajamas...by all means, that is up to you!
If you want to wear dresses everyday...that is up to you too!
If you want to wear pajamas one day and dress up the next...that is up to you as well!

Some times you have to stop, look around, and absorb your surroundings
to realize how happy you truly are...
Other times...

Your happiness is in motion, and all you want to do is jump and dance and sing out of key at the top of your lungs (in your car, of course).
By all means, do it.
Don't wait for vacation because vacations end.
You have to go home after vacations and keep doing what you were trying to get away from.
Don't say you are busy...say your life is full.
If you can't get together with someone, your life is full.
Don't tell them you are too busy.
But you better try your darndest to fill your life with things you want to be doing.

Happy Fourth of July!

Nebraska Fireworks show...
An hour earlier maybe!
The kids (and Grampa) are in bed and the camper is shaking with the booms.
My eyes are heavy so this will be short, but I thought I'd put a note up today to celebrate.
What a week it's been!

All I can say for now is...
"a marshmallow would have been nice with this Grahammy and Chocolate, Mom."
These two were good friends before we left on this trip, but it's been fun watching Owen teach, Gabby lead, Owen manipulate, and Gabby sneak. They play organized games and give each other presents. They want what the other already has or wants. They are proud of the other for small accomplishments and take turns...most of the time. :-)
It has not been as taxing as I thought...but then again, it's only been three days in the car with them...Ask me again in a week or so...

More to come...