Our quick trip

We came home last night from our whirl wind road trip. Bug and Sweetiepeas did so well during the 1700 mile trip especially considering we did it all in only 4 days.
I was quite surpised with the scenery along the way. Kansas was nicer than I had expected. The farthest I've been into Kansas (to my recollection) was about 50 miles in, a little town called Colby, and that was about 8 years ago. Once you get past about halfway it turns from flat and wheat-y to green and hill-y, and the whole way there are cows! Cows make me smile. I especially enjoyed seeing them wading in ponds in their pastures. Have I never metioned I want a cow? - I've wanted one since I was about 3 - (Seriously!) So with the cows to make me happy along the way, the miles just flew by. I think Hubby Mikey survived by concentrating on the driving and listening to my giddy cow comments. -Ok, maybe not- But I do know how the kids survived, by constantly snacking and napping.


Yum yum!

Sawing logs.

The graduation was brilliant. I'm so happy we made the trip. I can't say enough how proud we all are of Mikey's little sis. I would have gladly driven (uh, sat in a moving vehicle) 2 or 3 times the distance even considering the short time we were actually at the event.


The Graduate

Did I mention?

Baby girl's birthday party went great! I think everyone had a good time and the birthday girl was going strong even to the end. She was loving all the attention (well, in her own way - she's still my little clingy monkey) Oh! Did I mention how excited I am that she chose her birthday to launch herself into the walking world? Being 1 must have given her a big boost in confidence because she was all over the place! I'm not surprised at how well she kept up with the other kids, though, she's been eyeing their activities for weeks! It will be interesting to see how well she copes with being strapped in a car seat for 4 days out of the upcoming week.
Hmm... Did I mention our family road trip? Other than being stuck in a car for so long, I'm really looking forward to it. My new* little sister is graduating from National Guard boot camp on Wednesday, so we're headed to Missouri to show support and let her know, without a doubt, how proud of her we are. I can't wait to see her, it's amazing what she's done -and doing- What a strong and wonderful person she is! I'm also looking forward to seeing Mum** and new sis's beau. It's been such a long time since we've seen them; it will be like a mini family reunion!
On the way home we're stopping in Witchita Kansas (at the graduate's request) to visit an Old Chicago -YUM!- Funny thing is they're headed back to Oklahoma, so it will be an out of the way jaunt for them. Sounds strange, but it's a family thing... Ok so it's a beer thing, but a beer thing that includes family. Apparently it's the closest of the restaurant's locations to where they live in Alva, OK and when the graduate says "Drive!" you say, "How far?"
I'm hoping the Kansas Old Chicago has trivia, we like trivia (and especially since Mum covers the q's concerning dead people, we rock!) I'm also looking forward to furthering my beer tour and getting the beau initiated on Italian nachos & Taos pizza (did I mention HM and I are taking a break from our diets?)
Here's to birthday parties, walking, road trips, graduates, soldiers, family, beer, food and fun!
Cheers!

*New sis - is Mikey's little sister -the title of sister-in-law reeks of wicked witch-edness & I don't like to use it when referring to someone who is definitely not... well, wicked witch-like.
**Mum - is Mikey's mum... uh, see the wicked witch comment above.