Off We Go!

Roadtrip Day 1

With  just a few meager weeks of summer left to us–if was obvious that a huge, wonderful, amazing trip of some kind was in order. Not just any trip, but a real, live road trip.

A magnamonious one.

We are indeed ready and waiting…seat belts fastened…sippy within reach. If you’ve been following carefully, you may have a clue where we’re headed. If not, just follow along.

Here we go!

We have about 7 or 8 hours of driving ahead of us–so toddler entertainment is essential.

Big people entertainment is dang important too. We played the license plate game that kept us busy for a lonnnng time. We even spotted a Maine and Alaska–clear out here in the mid-west.  Stunning I tell you. But I’m holding out for Hawaii.

Well, I am.

Pretty easy to tell when we crossed the border into Wyoming because there were THESE stores all over the place, but since the type of fireworks they carry in there are totally illegal in our home state…we just kept on driving.

Til lunchtime that is. Taco Bell is a lovely place to take a break. Oh, and I showed my BagBag–the one made from Taco Bell bags–to the Taco Bell ladies. They told me to send a picture to the corporate because, “they’d be dang impressed.” Who knows? Might be good for a free Chalupa or something.

Most of us were just glad to get out and stretch around for a minute.

Then, of course, it was back in the car, for more…

of this…

and this…

and this.

Luckily, we had a bit of “Ponyo” going on as well. This, my friends, is one high-tech road trip.

Which is lucky, because there was a heck of a lot of this to look at. Beautiful, yes…but after a few hours…

even the most stalwart travelers get hazy.

The scenery was occasionally broken up by construction cones–we have them at home, thank you very much–and…

huge piles of sand. Almost thought we’d driven clear to Egypt when I saw this one.

After the pyramid thing, it was pretty exciting to see a semi-truck filled with Burmuda onions.

Filled, I tell y0u.

At the end of the day we were so pleased with the good natured, patient, happy little travelers we have here.

Yes…yes. What good-natured, patient, exhausted travelers we have here.

Sleep well my lovelies.

We have a big, big day tomorrow!

Destination Quiz

We are going on a road trip my friends. From our little Rocky Mountain home to a couple of places we’ve always wanted to see. Can you guess where we’re going?

Here is a picture of my sweet Jillian, while she was in England, goofing around about where we are going this week. See if you can figure out the clues. First one to guess it correctly will win…

something from our trip. Don’t know what it is yet because I haven’t been there. Oh, and the friends and family that already know where we’re going–you don’t get to guess…because when you know something–it’s not a guess anymore. You know that.

Sheesh.

Up, Up and Away

Each Independence Day, before decent people are even awake…

We make our way to the Provo Balloon Festival.  It goes like this…

First we wander around until we find just the right spot.

Then we sit back and enjoy the beautiful show.

Aside from the fact that being surrounded by all this lovely stuff is an  incredible experience–aside from that–I’m not completely sure why we do all this.

It really could be this.

Could be this

It could be this.

In the end…I think…

I hope

that it is always…

simply…

…this.

True Allegiance

“Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance.  It is also owed to justice and to humanity.  Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong.”

~James Bryce

Frosty Patriot

July9 028

It’s easy enough to add a bit of red, white, and blue to your water glass.

stuff 006

Just freeze red, white and blue Powerade in ice cube trays. Try not to be as sloppy as I was…

July9 024

Freeze them for a couple of hours then plop them in your drink.

Adorable!