Winslow

Man, oh man - 10 hours was a long time to drive. But I was so glad to finally pull up to home-sweet-home and let the kids out. I briefly entertained the thought of slowing my car down just enough to let the kids roll out and then I could make a clean getaway to the land of peace and quiet. And sanity. But, much to my parent's relief, I decided to stay ;)

I missed Winslow. And true to Winslow fashion, there has been a lot of changes - but most has stayed the same. I think that's why I love it so...Of course, my feelings weren't always full of warm-hearted memories and the appreciation of a slower life. I couldn't wait to get out of this small-podunk town following high school. But there is something alluring about Winslow's different shades of brown and red dirt that hypnotizes me. It may have something to do with living the military life. I have learned that it really doesn't matter where you live, there are the same kinds of people everywhere. You've got the good, the bad, and the ugly (well scary too).

And I couldn't wait to show it off to my kids.

We really enjoyed our time there. We laughed and joked and played. Papa let them ride in his "big white truck" (Hannah loved it) - as we went to the Painted Desert. He even bought them souvenirs. Papa and Grandma Buggy also treated us to a trip to Flagstaff, where we watched not just one, but two movies in the theater (Kung Fu Panda 2 and Cars 2). The kids were in heaven!

Christie and her girls, Keegan and Rowen were able to make the drive to visit and the cousins had a great time. Jesse and Falken made the drive - can't believe how big Falken has gotten. I was able to get some Root Beer Stand food a few times (even got suckered into buying a Darrell's Root Beer Stand shirt - it may or may not have had something to do with working there during my high school years) and I also took the kids to the creek as well - but somehow, they didn't think it was a cool as I did. Guess you gotta grow up in Winslow to appreciate all of her hidden treasures :) They just wanted to get back to the "North Pole" as Aleana called Papa's house, where it was nice and cool. Desert rats they are not.

Painted Desert: I did not take these two pictures, but I wanted to at least have something that represented what we saw. Who knew dirt could be so beautiful? I love this place and every time I go, I get taken back. I would have loved to stop...to be able to get out and stretch while taking some great pics. But as it is with the desert in the heat of the summer - all things are more beautiful from the inside of your a/c car :)

And of course, anytime cousins get together, there has to be a photo session. Here's our amateur attempt out under the apricot tree:

Posers...er I mean the Girls. Trent wasn't sure what to do :)

Made of steel...haha - love Trent's face. Falken looks fierce.

I sure missed my family. I missed Winslow. It was great to get back there - 6 years is too long to stay away. It was nice to just sit down and chat with my folks. It was even better to watch them with their grand kids. Life is good.

Bye, bye bangs

While we were staying in Winslow, I took Aleana up to Flagstaff to see her Aunt Tessa. And get a haircut. Aleana had decided she was done with not having bangs. So, for part of her birthday present, she got some highlights and a haircut - compliments of my amazing sister Tessa. You can't tell that they are related or anything can you? haha

Thanks Tess! You are an amazing woman. I miss you and wished you would move up to Boise already. ;)

Happy Birthday Trent

We got to have a real family birthday party for Trent meaning there were more than just us at the party. His cousins Keegan, Rowen, and Falken were all able to help him celebrate. Ro's bday is just 6 days after Trent's so we did a double birthday party. They had cake and ice cream, and presents, followed by some slip-n-slide in the backyard. A classic summer par-tay!

2 sets of Star Wars legos. Kept this kid busy all afternoon.

So long, Farewell Auf Wiedersehen...

Adieu.

Being just me and the kids on this part of the trip - I wasn't able to get as many pictures as I wanted to throughout our stay in Winslow. So to make up for it, I took a whole bunch just before we headed out the door for the next leg of our trip.

I love, LOVE these pictures more than words can say, but I'll try to express some of my thoughts.

There is something so beautiful when watching your own father play and cater to your very own kids. It's magical and heart-warming. Even funny when he looks at you and tells you that you used to do the same thing as a kid.

It's also eye-opening. I got to see my kids in a different light. It allowed me to take a step back and just watch as they help Grandma Buggy with a puzzle or clear away the dishes from the table. Kids interact so differently with grandparents.

I think grandparents have special powers.

I loved seeing the connection that Trent was able to make with Papa. Trent's a hard one to connect to - but Papa has his number - and it may or may not have something to do with letting Trent go golfing and ride in a golf cart with him.

It's nice to know Hannah's joyous smile and big eyes can affect her grandparents just as much as she affects me. She brings light wherever she is. She's a special one.

Luke doesn't mind someone who has a beard. In fact, it makes it easier for him to recognize a familiar face in a crowded room.

Going to church at the Dilkon branch on the Navajo reservation was something I will never forget. Hearing someone bearing their testimony in navajo? Words cannot do justice on that one. Such a beautiful language and one that I will never be able to speak.

Grandma Baker was a hit as always. Both Hannah and Trent loved to sit and visit with her. She'd let them watch movies. She also let them play with the crocheted ducks that poop out jellybeans. They still talk about it, and they still fight over the ducks she gave us. My Grandma Baker is an amazing lady - oh how I love her - and am grateful I can share my four biggest accomplishments with her.

Man, I love these people.

Hit the road Jack...Rabbit?

Every time I watch the movie "Cars", I get a little homesick. Watching it for the first time in a theater made it that much worse. Everything was big and clear and I found myself getting a little sentimental because of where Pixar had decided to set this movie. There were lots of little things that reminded me of N. AZ/Route 66 and home. But the sign that says "Here it is" with a silhouette image of a model T got me. I knew EXACTLY where they got that from. The kids thought I was crazy getting all worked up about some stupid sign. But when the time came, I was able to show them just what I was talking about...

Jack Rabbit.

This small stop off the side of I-40 is just outside of Winslow. All Winslow-ites are very familiar with this particular place. And at some point in your life, it is a must-stop-and-take-a-picture kind of place. Chalk it up to one of those "Hey, I've been there" moments.

Now my kids can say they've been there. And believe it or not, they liked it.

Bluff

I love Gerald Lund. I love his style of writing (although I can only take so much at a time). He is great at developing characters and his story-telling way, with just enough detail, wraps me up like I am there living right along with the characters. What I really appreciate is his research and the amount of time he puts into each project. See http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6601008-the-undaunted for others' opinions.

The Undaunted book is no different - and I had a hard time putting it down. I kept wanting more...but I think that is because I knew about the land and territory he was writing about. I was familiar with many of the names and settlements that are featured in his book. But I had no idea what kind of history was behind them.

One of the settlements that played a significant role in the book is a town we drove through as kids every year on our way to visit Grandpa in Moab. The town of Bluff. So, being the history lover that I am, I couldn't resist stopping at the Bluff Fort. I was worried that the kids wouldn't like it as much as I would, but hey - if I have to suffer, so must they :) Much to my surprise - they loved it. It's just a small fort with some original cabin work, but mostly replicas of what the Bluff Fort was like when it was settled. The layout was great. There were lots of signs and plaques to help learn about what happened. You could walk into the cabins and get an idea of what it was like to live back then. Aside from a huge sand-with-a-few-drops-of-rain storm that forced us rather quickly into the visitors' center (which has a nice movie to view as well as souvenirs by the way), we had a blast (and not just from the sand).

It is worth the stop, if for anything else - to let your kids get out and walk. For more info: http://www.hirf.org/bluff.asp

View of Bluff Fort from the road...see the storm behind it? Um ya, it came lots closer :)

Talk about space saver...rocking chair, storage, and table all in one!

Next Stop: Grandpa Scharf's

Grandpa Jim's cabin. Nice cool mountain air, clear night sky, and the gravel-ish old voice full of laughter echoing in the background. There's no place like it. I wasn't able to see Grandpa last summer, so we had to come this summer - and it didn't disappoint. The kids went straight to the dirt - digging roadways and tunnels. They shuffled back and forth between riding 4-wheelers (note to self: When letting Aleana "drive" the 4-wheeler - hold on tight and be ready to use the foot break) and eating (Grandpa always has candy or junk food somewhere). It was just a short visit - as we had to get up to Aspen grove - but I loved every minute of it. We were able to enjoy the first night of the Scharf family reunion - and I got to meet a lot of my cousins that I never knew. What an awesome family to be part of.

These are some pictures that I will always treasure. Luke took to Grandpa Scharf like no body's business. I don't know how Grandpa does it - but I haven't seen a kid yet that doesn't love to be around him.

By this part of the road trip - Aleana was getting tired. After the meltdown, she felt better - but still didn't appreciate having her picture taken in mid-meltdown. I thought the timing was perfect.

Dirt

Her favorite place to be

Stupid sand. Stupid sun. It's too hot, and she's done.