Some catching up to do...

Long time, no blog! Our plans did not exactly pan out. 
After Utah, we spent time in Colorado Springs visiting my Aunt and her fiancé. She was as wonderful as always. I've spent more time with her as an adult than I ever did as a child and she's one of my favorite people. 

We also saw some Air Force friends from Alabama. I love catching up with old friends and marveling at how quickly our kids have grown. 

Then we hit the Air Force Academy , the Royal Gorge Bridge, and Garden of the Gods. Some people in our family (ahem, Matt) did not enjoy the bridge, the wind, feeling the bridge shake, or looking over the edge. I admit he comes by it honestly, but watching my 14 year old practically run across the bridge and stand mournfully on the other side was pure entertainment. It's not that I like his discomfort, but well...I do.  Mom of the Year!

Side note: I promise Andy and I own more clothes than the ones you see repeatedly on this portion of our vacation. We have 3 college degrees between us, but weren't smart enough to pack more than one sweatshirt. 🙄

We headed to Oklahoma, totally unaware that we would quickly return for the rest of the year. 

Snow in May?

We left beautiful Salt Lake City and headed east. We took I-80 and it was a beautiful day! 

Welcome to Wyoming!

Then...the snow began. We stopped to let the kids goof off for a second. 

Soon, the snow became heavy, visibility was low, and we were following a semi's tire tracks in order to stay on the road. Thankfully we headed south at Laramie...which is where they had closed I-80 to all traffic. I can't remember the last time we were in snow! 

We finally crossed into Colorado. There was no stopping for a photo this time. About 45 min later, we were driving on clean roads, in 50+ degree weather as if none of it had ever happened. 

Always an adventure!

10 things I've learned so far

1. Diets and traveling don't mix well. 30 Weight Watchers points takes care of breakfast on the road and then...
2. No matter what I do, I always remember I should put lipgloss on after I see the pictures we took. 
3. Bananas don't last very long in a hot van. 
4. Bananas in a hot van smell. And not in a good "ohhh, fresh bananas" kind of way. 
5. My kids are amazingly adaptive and I'm really proud of them. 
6. Being "retired" means you no longer know what day it is...and we really do have to check our phones to find out. Or just ask Matt.
7. I miss my tv shows and I don't. I think I may be uncovering some brain cells that have lain dormant through all the Housewives Reunion shows. 
8. Las Vegas has thinned my blood. It was in the 50's and I've been cold all day.  
9. We miss Murphy. A lot. 
10. The people who invented joke books for kids should be tortured. A lot. And the people who give them to kids deserve to have scabies or something equally miserable. Right LeslieKevinCathyErikCraigLoreleiRobinandPatty? 

Thanks Utah!

What a fabulous visit! We continued our time with the Paxmans as we all headed north to the Salt Lake City area. We met close friends of theirs, had another dinner together and then parted ways. They were off to watch their oldest daughter's softball tourney, and we headed to Hill AFB to see a few friends. 

Two families brought together by Katelyn and Rayce.

Couldn't meet two nicer people!

Until we meet again...

We got checked into TLF at Hill AFB. The scenery is simply beautiful. The snowcapped mountains, the fresh air, and even a thunderstorm made for a beautiful backdrop. 

First we had lunch with friends from our time at Shaw. He was a commander along with Andy and it was great to reminisce and catch up. Their daughters are beautiful and it was so fun to see how much our families have grown and changed! We missed seeing their two youngest, but the stories were good! 

It was like we were JUST at Shaw together!

Last but not least was our fun with other friends from Shaw. She fed us a home cooked meal, and shared her beautiful family with us. Their family too has grown and changed over the years and it was just fabulous to visit and spend some time with all of them. There's never a dull moment in that house and we had lots of laughs. 

The variety and number of friends that have crossed our path is quite astounding. Seeing so many on our journey just makes it all the more special! 

The fabulous hostess with the mostess!

And 4 of the kids were elsewhere! :)

Off to Colorado tomorrow!

Kicking off this incredible year!

Yesterday we pulled away from Vegas, sad to be leaving friends, but nervously excited about the year before us.

Our first stop was of course Chick-FIl-A. in St. George. UT, then we raced to Moab to drop the dogs at the kennel by 5

Our first stop at a Welcone sign. So many more to look forward to!

 Finally, the whole reason we headed here first.. We got to meet up with the amazing Paxman family. You can't meet nicer people. They have 4 kids, 3 of whom were adopted from Taiwan, and 1 of them is K's biological brother. We had no idea we'd live 6,5 hrs from them when we brought Katelyn home 3 years ago.

We have seen each other periodically both here and in Las Vegas. The kids remember each other from their early foster homes in Taiwan.  We love seeing them spend this time together and enabling them be just be kids and hang out. They play and annoy like any other siblings and it's awesome to witness. 

The Paxmans definitely have the gift of hospitality. I'm certain they would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. They run river boat cruises down the Colorafo River and own a Marriot property at their Canyonlands By Night resort. http://canyonlandsbynight.com/ it's a must see!! It's a familt owned business (started over 50 yrs ago). They have the river boat tours several times a day, and can arrange other adventure tours such as Arches National Park tours, air tours, 4wheeling tours, and much more. I highly recommend visiting Moab. Beautiful country and tons of stuff to do!! You can't go wrong with a stay at the resort!

We all got to take their dinner cruise, stay in the hotel, and let the kids swim in the heated pool. Seriously....we are leaving here why?

Today the fun continues with lunch, then caravaning up to Salt Lake City where we will all meet up with the adoption coordinator who arranged all of our collective adoptions. I spent 21 months hounding her via phone, texts, emails, and snail mail. Today we finally get to hug her in person!

Headed into some beautiful country. 

Enjoying the boat ride down the canyon.

Our selfie with Jug Handle Arch

Rory doing the River Boat Captain thing. His dry sense of humor is delightful...the kind where you have to pay attention or it  goes right over your head. 

Pictures don't do it justice!

Katelyn and her brother Rayce. Practically twins!

Matt was hamming it up the whole time. Until I arrived with my camera. Punk. 

Love making these memories together! We are all noticing how much more comfortable they are every time we are together. 

Aren't these two camera thieves just precious?

It's off to a great start. Salt Lake City here we come!

Leaving Las Vegas!

Buh-bye Vegas. You've been good to us!

 We've come full circle! 

Andy's first assignment was Nellis in 1993. And here we are in the same TLFs, finishing his career. 

This time around we arrived with two sons, and a sweet little girl fresh from Taiwan. For at least the first 12 months we were treading water and learning how to be a family of 5. We took on the challenge of homeschooling, and maybe drank Dr. Pepper to survive. We struck gold again by finding another small group full of funny, genuine, caring people with whom we "did life" for three years. Vegas has never been my favorite place, but I can't deny how awesome it's been this time around. 

Now we are wrapping up his career and headed for big adventures. I feel so blessed. I can look back on amazing friendships and unique experiences that shaped his career and us. God has blessed us many times over and I can't wait to see what He has in store for us next!

Cousin Time

Before heading out of town, we were able to hit Container Park with Andy's cousin Grant and his wife Sheena, as well as a final lunch at the O'Club on base. We've lived within 4 miles of each other for the past year. We've watched dogs, borrowed trucks. spent holidays together, and seen other family who were visiting. We've so enjoyed it!