Toast

WoooHooo! I found the toaster. Last night the girls were attempting a non-toasted version of cinnamon toast. Didn't appeal to me at all.

AND I also uncovered the telephone. Last time it took over a month to figure out which box it was in. I just bought a new one. Of course, this telephone was packed before my service was even disconnected, so I couldn't retrieved messages. I found it in the bake ware box this time. Perfectly logical, right?

Details.

All in a move, right?

Of course there are some good surprises too...like these Twizzlers that I uncovered that are helping me maintain my momentum :) Though I don't know why the kids weren't interested in the anchovies that I found for lunch??

Actually, I am looking for my favorite mixing bowls. Any guesses on how long it will take me to find those?

Unpacking really isn't all bad...it is the preparatory cleaning that kills me.

Kade took a lesson in grilling last night from his dad, so for lunch he grilled burgers he found in the freezer. I figured he had it all under control until he asked me why they were white underneath. Huummm. I headed back to the freezer only to discover they were turkey burgers. All was well again. I explained they were supposed to be white since it was turkey meat. Lunch was good...turkey burgers and all!

Now I need to find those bowls, so the girls can make salsa and guacamole to go with those CostCo chips. Did I mention that CostCo is maybe 10 minutes away? Also, I was so excited to go into Safeway that Ron was worried as I meandered through the aisles. When he asked me what I was looking for I tried to explain the comfort I found in familiarity--even though Safeway has undergone a makeover...for the better!

Focus, Lori..back to work!

Odds 'n' Ends

"Can we just keep going?" pleaded Kiahra, "I don't want to spend one more night in a motel."

Jackpot, Nevada. A casino oasis in the desert as one crosses the border from Idaho. The cool air conditioning welcomes visitors and then entices them with flashing lights and the promise of big payouts. Everything is new and clean. A billboard proclaims Trace Adkins' performance tonight. However, we uncover a wonderful Mexican buffet and for that I will remember Jackpot!

And the great dinner conversation between Morgan and Nikela. I am not sure what led to Nikela's comment, "When I went fencing in the mountains with my dad..."

To which Morgan replied, "What? Why did you have to go to the mountians to do that?"

Nikela, realizing that Morgan was not on the same page, explained, "We dug holes and put fence posts in the ground and built a fence," as she animatedly demonstrated with her hands the placing of the post in the ground.

Laughter often filled our adventure, but this moment was exceptional. Fencing...something one does with swords or something one builds. I would love to see Ron and Nikela fencing with swords in the mountains!

Did I mention the sweet smell that greeted me as I walked up to the house for the first time? The vine on the fence was in full bloom and I believe it is Jasmine. In the evening the scent is delightful!

Now all the cleaners I am using in attempt to remove the grime from the kitchen cabinets are not near as sweet smelling...but I am almost done, so I should get back to work!

Home...at last!

As the sun set over the mountains of Lake Tahoe, we were cruising over the pass with increasing emotional momentum. Home. An elusive place across the country. Unknown territory.

With amazing stamina the kids endured a 12 hour day on the road which included 10 hours of driving time. The afternoon before we had explored Yellowstone at a quiet pace filled with adventure. Though the adventure started a bit prematurely when Chayse threw up all over just south of Livingston, Montana with no services in sight.

Though it was difficult to say good-bye in Big Timber after a wonderful visit with friends. The familiar Crazy Mountains tugged at our heartstrings...



...as well as two little boys who were introduced to each other upon Kade's arrival in the world ten years ago.




In Gardiner, MT we were welcomed by old friends whom we met when Ron worked at the Jardine Mine--probably 15 years ago we resided in this little mountain town. Cold ice-cream as we sat in the cool breeze was a welcomed treat.



Yellowstone National Park is filled with natural wonders, but we had to choose carefully as time was short. Ron and I had explored the park extensively when we had lived there, so we started with a drive to Tower Falls where we saw this handsome fellow sporting velvet.



A little farther down the road, a couple black bears were rooting in the road ditch--no zoom necessary!





Artist's point at Yellowstone Falls is my favorite...



...even with me in the photo!



The bison grazed majestically against the skyline.



Then later in Hayden Valley Ron spyed a wolf in the distance, but I needed a different lens for a good shot at him. It was the first time I had seen a wolf in the park; however, I knew that they were there as the wildlife is not near as prolific as it once was.

After dining at the lodge on Yellowstone Lake, we headed on to Old Faithful.

Chayse wasn't so sure about the smell of rotten eggs!



But we all loved the sunset.



At 9:38 Old Faithful entertained us! In the cooling evening air, the steam billowed.



Then we piled back into the Yukon with five kids, two dogs, and a couple weary adults for a late night drive. The park is very dangerous at night, as the potential to hit crossing animals is great. The vehicles behind us were following too closely--frustrated by our insistence to stay around the speed limit. Then an elk and her calf jumped out. Ron was worried we were going to be rear-ended, but thankfully we averted an accident...from both ends. The cars behind us drifted back a considerable distance as we continued our trek.

Prof Samuel

As we toured the streets of Keystone, we were enticed into Professor Samuel's Portrait Emporium. Eight kids donned costumes from the ol' West. The boys (Kade, Jadin, and Jagur) were thrilled with their Western attire and spent a long time searching for the right gun. Grinning from ear to ear they accommodated the requests and played quietly as they waited their turn. The girls sought out the perfect accessories to their floozy costumes. My little two-year-old niece, Jaela, was darling in her little red dress and hat. She was so charming and accommodating...until the photographer stepped behind the camera. Then she was done. No amount of bribery could change her mind. Sadly, the photo shot went on without her.

Playing dress-up is fun forever. I suspect these memories will last a lifetime. Just watching the kids enthusiastically embrace the experience had all the adults smiling!

Keystone, SD

The adventures continued in South Dakota as eight children (ranging in age from 2 to 14) and three adults cruised into the Black Hills...again.

Every good road trip needs a few smiles...at least at the beginning...



and special visits.



Charming cousins



Monkeys at play



Zookeepers



A tall cowboy carrying a long whip roamed the streets of Keystone was "cracking" for trouble, as we watched nearby where we paused to enjoy the chocolate covered strawberries, fudge, and taffy we succumbed to as we meandered down the street. Occasionally the sound of gunfire would fill the air. An authentic tourist experience.



Two special friends made a grand entrance into Mount Rushmore National Park.



The majestic mountain...



with a couple smiling faces.



As the entourage headed home via the scenic route Chayse was waiting for the sound of gunshots again on the streets of Deadwood as we recounted the story of Wild Bill Hickok. Not entirely sure she fully grasps the concept of reenactment, so I suspect I may need to monitor her story to avoid perpetuating the stereotype of the untamed West!

A Dairy Queen extreme chocolate birthday cake topped off our day in celebration of my nephew, Jadin's 8th birthday, but a weary auntie failed to capture the moment :(

Roughlock Falls

Sunday we cruised up Spearfish Canyon, which is one of my favorite drives in the Black Hills, to meet my cousins at Roughlock Falls. The years have changed the site a bit. Beautiful picnic areas and walkways are in stark contrast to the dirt trails that used to wind around the falls which we could hike at our own risk. As a result the falls look a bit different with the return of vegetation along the shoreline.

Roughlock Falls still looks splendid.




Of course, no picnic is complete without...

the boys blowing smoke...


yummy watermelon...


a bit o' horseplay...


puppy love...


a steep, muddy trail...


peaceful moments...


and a little nap...

Happy Father's Day!

Badlands

The Badlands National Park is a fascinating place which I have only admired from afar until yesterday.



While the unique landscape of the Badlands does not abound with color, the following photos were inadvertently shot in black and white. I like the result, though I wish I could add a touch of color here and there. Nonetheless, our adventure in the Badlands is captured.

Jadin and Kade loved climbing and exploring, but here they rest for a minute to enjoy the bird's-eye view.



"Pretty flower!" (Don't tell the ranger, please...)



Morgan, Kiahra, and Nikela enjoy the summit.



Cute cousins sit for a moment during their climbing adventures!



Throughout the afternoon, we paused for a photo or two (notice the return of color!)



Our day was filled with laughter...



...special family moments...



...friendship...



...and few hikes...



Despite the initial concerns as to why the lands were bad, it proved to be a wonderful day in those crazy Badlands!

Home

As we cruised across South Dakota, I felt my heart lighten as I gazed across the wide open spaces with nary a house in sight. It is home. The place where I lived as a child. The place that makes my heart sing. As the rolling hills welcomed me after crossing the Missouri River again I breathed in the scent of the prairie and relaxed. The tall prairie grasses were blowing in the wind like a freshly laundered sheet flapping in the wind. The undulation reminded me of Willa Cather's writing in O Pioneers. For as far as I could see, my eyes drank in the view of home, and slowly the Black Hills emerged in the horizon.

The enchanting prairie sky was filled with fluffy clouds that call my imagination to life as I study the shapes until they began to transform themselves into dark, rolling, grumbling clouds.

As I eased my load into the driveway, relief flooded me, as I has successfully traveled 1800 miles with a trailer and never had to back it up. However, with an ever watchful eye on the grumbling sky, dad wanted me to park my vehicle under shelter...but there wasn't enough room for the trailer, so he wanted that backed into a barn. I willingly offered to let him tackle the project...but ignoring my request, he instructed me to pull ahead and turn around. My stomach panicked because I knew then that my father was not going to let me off the hook. Of course he stood nearby and guided me through the process. Of course, with that mentorship I successfully maneuvered the trailer into the barn. Though the irony that I planned ahead for days, so I could avoid backing up, and then I arrive home where my trailer would rest, and then dad made me back up...was not missed. Fathers foster independence no matter how reluctantly the lesson is embraced.

“Anyone can love the mountains but it takes soul to love the prairie.”



I love the personality of the vast prairie sky. My soul loves the prairie. It feeds my spirit.

Though my prairie reverie is often interrupted by the roar of dirt bikes and boys.

Westward Adventure

St. Louis' gateway arch is the tallest national monument that was erected as a gateway to the West--which I found a suitable symbol for our family as we passed! Our view was limited to our interstate vision, but it was still fun to see from the different angles.




Slowly, but surely we arrived in Estelline, South Dakota yesterday. As I held my grandmother's frail hand in mine, we talked. Her vision is gone. She wanted me to describe each of the kids to her to help her "see" them now, though I think she enjoyed Nikela's piano playing the most. The sound of music is sweetest to her now.



Chayse even sang her favorite songs from preschool for her.



Then we visited my Uncle Larry and Aunt Betty. I have so many fond memories of my visits with them as a child. I loved playing with my cousins. I remember my Uncle Larry teasing me incessantly (not unlike the way Kevin teases Kiahra these days...). Aunt Betty's smile and patience always made her house a special treat. She and mom would chat for hours as we (kids) would disappear into our world of play.

Aunts and uncles are special people. I know I am no longer a child and the years have made me a mother...and visits are few and far between, but the warmth of their love never leaves. Those familiar memories...hot pancakes...special outings...gently cradling my first child...warm smiles...music(from Larry's country impersonations to Betty's beautiful hymns :)...are always close to my heart. There is always a comfort in their presence...even in hard times, as they stood nearby Grandma Parks' graveside this fall.

Though Aunt Betty's ability to see the world through a child's eyes has not diminished in the least, as the new little puppy charmed the kids for hours.



Like all youngsters, the pup thought she was in charge, and even took Duke for a walk which he reluctantly endured.



Mischief was never hard for her to find. The kids loved playing with her and watching her playful antics.



Warm, furry memories to carry to California!