Sesame Street

There is so many things about Grammy's house that means home.   Good food.  Rest.   Family.   We all love to spend time at Grammy's house!

According to the boys the best thing about Grammy's house is the long road to Lake Demet.   When your at Grammy's house you are only a few minutes from the lake and it's really the only place you want to be in the late afternoon.

Even Ray dreams about the lake.    Sitting up on the boat just waiting for Brett to take him to doggy heaven.

When you catch the lake just right on the perfect night it is the most beautiful spot ever!!

Lake Desmet is the favorite activity in Buffalo but there is also the maze, mini gold, and of course ice cream.

And Jackson is really, really good at the maze.   He got the fastest time.   Yep, World Champion Maze Runner in Buffalo, Wyoming.

Trip to the park

After dance class the girls came back to Buffalo with us.    

The minute we got back to Buffalo the boys were rigged and ready to head out to the Lake.   Lake Desmet had been calling their name all day.    We loaded everyone in the car and headed out into the windy Wyoming evening.

It was windy and cold and we didn't catch any fish but the kids made the most of it and had a great time.     Oh, and Gramps.   He loved it also!!

And, early the next morning we headed out to find the park and do some more fishing.

We spun around on the tires and climbed on the slides while Gabe fished.    

You couldn't bring him up out of the water for anything.   He fished until he finally had a trout on the line.

Good job, Gabe.   Wyoming park trout.

Little Dancer

So much excitement in the car as we drove down the interstate in Wyoming.   So much excitement as the minutes were counted down and we were all ready to set our feet on Wyoming soil.    The miles flew by us.....until they didn't.    Everything stopped moving so fast as the Traverse slowed down to 30 miles an hour.    The kids couldn't quite understand what had happened and after I figured out where we were, we drove (very slowly) straight into the Chevy dealer in Wheatland, Wyoming.

Our progress turned into a dead stop.     We all sat in the waiting room feeling a little bummed and anxious at the same time.   We ordered pizza.   We colored pictures.   We watched Netflix.    4 hours later we learned we would have to leave the Traverse behind but we could continue our journey.   We would make it to Buffalo that night!!  We piled into the rental car and quickly picked up speed again.

No one was more excited to see us than Jackson.   He had been waiting at Grammy and Gramps's all day long.  Waiting and waiting and waiting.   As we pulled in the driveway he ran out to the car and gave us all a big hug.   He was so  glad to see us.

The next morning Grace and I headed over to Sheridan to watch Addy at her dance class.    The boys stayed behind in Buffalo.  They had some fishing to do at Lake Desmet.    Look at the big fish they caught.

   We also had an awesome afternoon as we watched Addy transform into a Ballerina.     She is so focused.

Grace wanted so badly to dance with Addy.   She stood on the sidelines watching her every move.

It was an awesome first day of summer in Wyoming.

On our way

The gentle roar of the tires against the pavement is the best sound in the world to me.   I've always liked to travel.     I love the adventure of going somewhere else and leaving home behind.   I especially love driving to Wyoming.   It's the best time of year!!

It was quite a feat to get 4 children and all our belongings loaded in the Traverse but about 2:00 Saturday afternoon and we were ready to head out.

All the kids travel so easily.    They can sit for hours in a car.   I think that it is in their blood.   That and the fact that they can play on electronics for hours on end.

First stop, Santa Fe.    I loved our hotel and all the Southwest charm.

After a good night sleep we were ready for another day in the car.    We stopped in Trinidad, CO and had a nice lunch while Daddy got to watch a little of the US Open.

Owen was quite proud of his wikki stick glasses.

Next stop, Denver.    And then our last leg to Wyoming.   This is going to be the best summer ever.

Allowance and organizing

The kids have been asking me for days to take them to Wal Mart.    Gabe and Owen are dying to spend some time in the fishing aisle.   Eli has been scheming for days on how to buy a Paw Patrol toy. So when I finally relented to take them it was like Christmas.  So much excitement over Walmart.  

Gracie looked at the dolls.  Nope.  She looked at the Barbies.   Nope. She looked and looked and finally decided.  I want another princess dress.  How many princess dresses can one girl have?   I tried to convince her to look at something else.  Nope.  Until I mentioned ahoes.  Yea ahoes!   And gum.  That sis it.  We headed to the shoe aisle. 

We gathered up the boys.   They had reels and lures and fishing line.  Time to check out so we could head home to get organized for Wyoming.  

Always good to have a big brother especially when you don't have quite enough money to pay for your reel. 

It was operation closet when we got home.  Looking forward to our trip to Wyoming!

hot summer day

Summer is here.    The kids and I are adjusting to that new summer schedule.   The one where we are together all day long and I try and organize times for activities because without some type of schedule the hot summer days can seem endless.

I love these days with my children.    I love spending hours with them everyday.   It drives me crazy but I love it.   I know my time with them is short and soon they will be out changing the world and I won't get a chance to give them my morning hug.   I won't have the chance to cook them three meals a day and order them around while we are doing our daily chores.    The days are long and endless.....the years slip by so very fast.

Today we packed a lunch and headed to the pool.    We hurried and rushed to get there and it was so hot.    113 today.   We all jumped into the pool so we could bear that intense heat that beats down on you burning your feet and causing your head to spin.

The boys found a ball and threw it back and forth.   They splashed and found some friends to play with.   Eli swam to the bottom of the pool and played with his Paw Patrol toy.   Grace stayed close to me and swam in the shallow section.   She's not ready to let go yet.   We strapped on her floatie and she bobbed around in the water like a top.     Theresa and I talked mom talk.   We didn't solve any problems but we had each other and we spoke our truth.   It was a hot fun morning and by noon it was time to go home.

The cool house was the most welcome sight that I felt all day.    We were tired from our morning and spend the afternoon snuggled up on the couch.    

My favorite routine lately has been our Friday night grocery shopping.    Taking all the kids and giving them a list.   They have been picking out their own food and I can see the empowerment in their eyes.   I have found a freedom in giving up control and allowing them to make their own decisions.   This is something that I should have done a long time ago but I am so glad I am doing it now.    It is a blessing.   The best thing about today.

No I take that back.   The best part of the day was the part when Daddy threw the boys into the pool and we were all floating out there in the dark.   We laughed and played and splashed and let time stop.   We spent time together.   All 6 of us and just let the minutes pass as we enjoyed each other and each moment.

All I can think as I head to my bedroom is thank you.  Thank you for this day.   This day in the hot sun and the time we have been given.   Thank you.