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Trail Blazers

05 July 2013


Or interstate blazers.

Actually not really at all. Simon's grandpa took a little tumble, broke his hip, and had to have surgery on Wednesday so we took advantage of the fact that Simon had the 4th off (Angels sing, "¿QUE?!?!?!?") and popped in the van on Wednesday night when Simon got off around 7:30 and made the four hour drive to the quad cities. We're so lucky to be able to stay with my grandma who lives in the same area as Simon's grandpa and we only gave her a few hours notice before we descended. She's my favorite. We had a great visit, (Simon's gramps is doing well with physical therapy in the hospital) and popped back in the car last night a little after six and made the four (and a little more this time) hour drive back home. Now we're staring a fatty mcfat call weekend in the angry face but .... we have lot of cellular phone photos to reminisce over and share contigo ...

Wook!


GG took the kids on a 1/10 mile nature walk to the park. Julia was petrified of the pine cones. Naturally.


My Aunt Heidi and Uncle Steve live down the hill from my Gram on this hideous piece of land ...


Complete with a little trail to hike with my hikelets. Heidi took us around the trail while Simon went to the hospital and my grandma held Theo back at the ranch and not that Theo is a bad baby but the 18 minutes with just two terrors was embarrassingly nice. Sorry Theocakes.


Simon's mom drove in from Wichita to see her dad and we were all treated to a proper 4th of July grillfest with burgers and brats and just enough margarita (not that much, calm down) to make me bump the beats loud and proud in order to stay alert and awake for the drive home.

Even though we were there for less than 20 hours and were in the car for 8 (not always serene, not ever serene - actually) hours it was the nicest breath of fresh air in the middle of these hellish summer rotations. Simon likened my grandma's condo to a resort and I wouldn't disagree: we're served delicious food, there is carpeting, there are multiple televisions with channels, her house is REALLY clean, we get to sleep in a king size bed, and the kids are in heaven with all of their relatives. If it were just a little tiny bit closer I would totally tackle the drive que solo with the kids and punish my Gram with multiple invasions.

On the drive home we stopped to make use of the facilities and Julia was so excited because ...


"we're just gonna get some food at Wenny's!!"

Wrong but it's good to know we're raising you right. Health food, enuncations, et al.


Anyway, Happy belated 4th of July!!



(AND last year - if you care)


23 comments:

  1. You have the coolest G-ma EVER! I want to be a grandma like her one day... she seems super carefree and I always want my kids to know that they and anyone else can come anytime because the door is always open!

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    1. She's the best hostess. She'll put me to shame forever!!

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    2. My grandma was the same way. I can't tell you how many grandkids lived with her in the summers every year. She had a total open door policy and she LOVED any family that would come and stay. Miss her.

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  2. The most fashionably coordinated hike EVER. I love it.

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  3. Love how get-aways even quick ones can really recharge the batteries.
    Hope Simon's grandfather continues to heal well and that the call weekend is kind (to us both).

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  4. Tells me about yous and your Grandmas sandals?

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    1. Saltwater Sandals -- you can find them online! And the kids are wearing them too. Because ... if the sandal fits.

      comment foul. sorry.

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  5. You're getting close to my territory! Come stay in Des Moines sometime:)

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  6. Yay for GG!! She looks like such a sweetheart. But then she is related to you so I can see how that would be so.

    I am relieved that Simon's Grandpa is doing better. We will be praying for him and his recovery.

    But what makes me smile the most is that you got a little break. I want some of that juice as well. It looked delish!

    I know these weekends are really crappy for you. I pray this one will be survivable without losing too much sleep. Need to vent...you got the mail. Hugs friend!

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  7. Julia's hair is super cute in pigtails!

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  8. I spy with my little eye a popped collar on Bash!!!!!

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  9. You could so do a four hour trip alone with the kiddos! I did a 7.5 hour drive... 9 with stops...alone with my 2 year old and then 6 month old when my husband was studying for the boards. When it comes to the hellish rotations I am so skipping town and driving the 4-5 hours to see my grandma, parents or sister. Not looking forward to those rotations but looking forward to seeing more of my family.
    At least you don't have the 6 week military rotation like my husband will have. That could be anywhere in the states. We should be able to go with him but it will be rough.

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    1. I've done long trips with the older two but three kids is a different ballgame (for me). You're right ... 6 weeks anywhere in the country would be really terrible. I hope it's magically somewhere close!!

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  10. Sorry to hear that you have a broken hip in the family. That is tough. Was it nice to have a dr to speak to the surgeons in that situation?

    I don't travel solo with a singleton. I am impressed that you have done it with 2

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  11. Holy crap I'm from the Quad Cities!! I had to read that like 3 times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.

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  12. I've barely made it out with two kids in the mini. 3 in the car for 8 hours? Bravo.

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  13. gramma looks GREAT! and i love that we have matching saltwaters.

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  14. We made SEVERAL stops at the ubiquitous Love's/McDonald's/Subway on the way to and fro to my family reunion weekend this weekend. My children think they are in food heaven - because they get a choice. 9 hours up and 11 hours on the way back on Sunday. Thank you holiday traffic. Sigh. But it gets easier when everyone is above the age of toddler, and we have multiple electronic devices AND a special device that plugs into the power outlet, into which you can plug a "regular" cord. Computer running out of battery?? No problem. DVD player dying?? No problem. I heart electronics. So much.

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  15. How do you get your kids to sleep away from home? My inlaws are awesome (and only 4 hrs away) so I just did the trip alone for the 2nd time with the 2 toddlers and they change from sleeping all night to waking up crying in the middle of the night or waking super early. Probably because we all share a room, or at least the babies do. Anyway it's always fun but never really restful so just curious how you do it with 3?

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  16. I thought for a sec Bash had hung himself in that second picture, then saw the rest of the swing :)
    Have I mentioned that Joseph's very limited vocabulary at least includes the words "french fry" now? I'm a terrible mom... :)

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