Vacation 2008!

Sorry we haven't posted in a while - and thank you to those of you who didn't know we were on vacation and sent an email checking in on us. We are well - exhausted - but doing well. Here is the rundown and pictures of our family vacation of 2008.

Friday night after Andy got off of work, we headed out of town towards Colorado. We had smooth sailing until Julesburg (which is in the NE corner of the state) where we hit a monster of a storm. We had to slow down to about 40 mph because of the heavy rain and winds. That lasted for the next 60 miles or so, until we got off at the exit at Sterling. Andy's hometown is only 30 minutes south of Sterling, so we were glad the rain decided to let up then. The car was very clean by the time we got there!! :)

We spent Saturday through Tuesday in Akron, had a nice family lunch on Sunday afternoon with all of the great-grandparents. Alex had a blast playing outside in his pool - as you can see!! We had the pool out almost every day that we were out there - - which began the saga with Daddy and the wasps (LONG story - but basically, Andy became the wasp-killer of the house because there were a TON of nests all over the yard!).

Andy was really proud of this shot, so I had to include it on here - both of the basketballs are mid-air, going opposite directions. Alex had a blast throwing the ball as someone else threw it, and would even yell, "GO!"

We also found something else that Alex loved - the hammock! We were really surprised that he liked it as much as he did. Here is a shot of Alex and I in the hammock.

Alex even settled down to take a nap with Uncle Dallas.

Then Tuesday after supper we began our trek across Kansas to see my half of the family. Last year we tried to make the trip in one day, and it did not turn out well. This year we decided to leave after supper, make it as far as we could that night, and then go the rest of the way in the morning. Alex crashed in the car at 9 pm, which is his usual bedtime, but Andy and I decided that we could keep going a while longer. We made it to Salina, Kansas, which is more than halfway. We pulled into the hotel at 12:30 - and this is what we saw!!

(Carl also won the race today, and I am CONVINCED that he will be my sister's new boyfriend.....coincidence? I think not!) :) This HAD to be the most exciting thing about Kansas!

Then it was back on the road - Alex amused himself with his shoes, it was pretty funny! :)

Alex also tried singing in the car - you may need to turn the sound way up to hear this one, because he was singing softly......and a little shy of the camera!!

We spent Wednesday afternoon through Sunday in Missouri with my family. They say that it's pronounced "Misery" and I would have to wholeheartedly agree. The heat and humidity were just disgusting. Plus, being the pregnant heat register that I am, it was hard to cool off. We did spend some time shopping because they had their "tax free" days, so we were all able to get some new outfits. :)


We were able to sneak over to Aunt Sarah's (Rah-Rah to Alex) new home and see it - it's beautiful! I can't imagine what it looked like before, because I think that she has painted every square inch of the home! It was nice to see her finally settled into "her place" and to meet her roommate, Laura. Alex took quite a liking to Laura, especially when she had the Sour Patch Kids candy. :)


Saturday we all went to Sedalia, Missouri to meet up with my sister Elly, her hubby Neil, and Alex's cousin Noah. (Neil's parents also came along - Elly's family was visiting them for the weekend.) We all went out to supper and then found a park to play in.




They had a TON of slides, all of which Alex had to try out. Here they are - enjoy! :)


Slide 1




Slide 2



Slide 3





Slide 4 - This one sparked a debate - who will go down the slide first? Alex or Noah? Let us know who you think the winner is! :)





You couldn't guess it by the size of them, but Alex (on the right) and Noah (on the left) are 5 months apart. You can see Elly and Neil holding the boys, so you can see that genetics are on Noah's side, NOT on Alex's. :) They had a great time playing, and Alex's now refers to his cousin as "NoNo." :) How funny!!!



Both boys LOVED the swing, but there was only one! They both did a great job taking turns on it. Here was Alex's "photo opportunity" on the swing.




And Noah's turn.....


Then Alex decided to try his hand at the big boy swing...he did very well, he didn't fall off at all! Granted, he didn't get very high, but that's not bad for his first try at it!!

Alex also "tried" the rock-wall....but was not a fan. Good thing Daddy was close by to save the bail out!

Here is a shot of the SWEATY little man once we made it back to the car!! (We drove back to Grandma and Grandpa's and took a bath!!!)

This video was taken in the car on the way home - Alex was trying to shoot his cork out of his mouth using his hands (like he has seen his Daddy do lots of times) - it didn't work quite as well, which makes it all the more funny!!

Then we returned home tonight....it was sad to be leaving family at both places, but it was also very nice to return home. We are all exhausted, and tomorrow I have a training in Kearney, so Alex will go to Julie's. I hope that he sleeps well tonight, because he will need LOTS of energy tomorrow with all of the other kids! Tuesday is a Dentist appt for me, and because I don't feel like entertaining Alex while I sit with my mouth wide open, he will go to Julie's for the morning. Then we spend the last of our summer days together - I have to go back August 13. Where, oh where, has my summer gone???!!?!?!

It's late - off to bed :) Home bed. :) (Isn't that the best thing about coming home?!) :)