Cinch & I were ready to leave at 7:30. We got in the truck and his dvd player wouldn’t work, whats the luck before a 10+ hour drive—We said prayers and figured I’d get a new cord when we got to town 90 mins away. Well as I pulled away our prayers were answered and the thought came in my mind that the fuse in the cord was blown—went back to the house and sure enough it was the fuse in the cord, took the fuse out of the gps cord and put it into the dvd cord and we were back in business. We drove til the half way point before stopping in Rawlins, WY for lunch. Whenever we travel we stop at McDonalds- not for the food, but yet the play place. Unfortunately as tour bus and gotten there right before us so it was taking FOREVER to order, 20 mins later we had our food and Cinch was running and getting some wiggles out. Another 15 mins we were back in the truck. Longer stop than planned but it happens. Fueled up and was on the road again. Almost got ran off the road by a fuel tanker, but we survived. Stopped in Evanston, WY to fuel up on cheap fuel again and headed Elwood bound- downward stretch was the worst, so hard to not speed through the canyon, but soon enough we were on I-15 and then exiting in Elwood. We made it in 10.5 hours, pretty good! We got out of the truck and Cinch went wild to be to that home again, except this time GranDixie had kittens which somehow lived through Cinch Mauling them. I laid down on the lawn and just relaxed for about an hour. Then it was time to head to Logan for the Fireworks, a family tradition. Cinch had lots of fun running and playing with his Big Cousins for sure and LOVED the fireworks! Afterwards we went to my sister Jami’s house in Smithfield to spend the night.
Saturday July 3-
We had planned on getting up and going to the Elwood 4th Celebration, but we slept a little too late- so we just hung out at my sister’s house and recuperated from driving. We met up with some of the family that evening for the cruise in. My dad’s favorite. After the cruise in went back to Smithfield and watched a beautiful Utah Sunset.
Sunday July 4-
Sunday was Poppy Mae’s blessing day. Went to that but missed Daniel as he wasn’t there to stand in the circle. Afterwards ate dinner with the family at Josie’s work.
Monday July 5-
Up and at ‘em. We headed Melissa’s old house to help her pack and let the kiddos play some more. We were also treated to lunch at a Mexican Restaurant as all there great grandkids were in town for the weekend. So 9 great grand kids under the age of 8- it was a great time! After visiting and playing til about 4 we were on the road again- Destination Snowville, Utah. We stopped in Snowville and visited Kyle and the Reeder Clan. It was great to see all of them again! Then, on the road again to Elwood. As we pulled in Brigham City had just started their fireworks so we were able to watch them right from the driveway. Our Arizona Barton crew had also purchased fireworks so we had our own firework show that night. Cinch decided Aunt Barbie’s lap was better than mom’s which surprised me because he unfortunately doesn’t get to see her too much!
Tuesday July 6-
We got up and headed to Ogden Union Station- Cinch was so excited to show the Barton Kids that you could climb on. It was especially cool to the AZ crew as their Granddad is a train engineer. Well the fun didn’t stop there as we took a ride on Frontrunner to SLC. Papa John and GranDixie came along for the fun as well. Cinch was happier than a kid on Christmas Morning. We road to the depot in SLC then boarded Trax to take us to Gateway to go watch Toy Story 3! How better of a day could have Cinch had, trains + Buzz & Woody! We also ate at California Pizza. I ordered Ravioli for us to share and Cinch ate 85% of it- he was hungry from all the walking. After the movie it was back on Trax- then caught the Frontrunner just in time. As soon as the train left SLC, Cinch fell asleep. It was truly a GREAT day, only wished Daniel could have been with us.
Wednesday July 7-
Up doing laundry, packing and getting things ready for the Baxter Family Reunion. It was our turn to be in charge this year- so we decided to host it up in Island Park/Yellowstone at the Guest Ranch Daniel’s parents manage. Well the best part of the day was that Daniel would be flying in that night. We had gotten it clear just the week before for Daniel to come home and see his mom before she started Chemo again and be at the family reunion with us. Well Cinch stayed to play with Papa John & GranDixie as I went to the airport. It was a little nerve wracking as we only had 1 cell phone now- so I was relying on the internet to make sure Daniel’s plane left on time and wasn’t delayed. Well- it is possible to be old fashioned and not have a cell phone as everything went great and Daniel arrived in SLC on time. We headed back to Elwood to finishing packing the truck of things we had forgotten to take on our move 2 months earlier and then a quick 15 min visit with our Larson friends and on the road to Island Park to surprise Daniels family. Even though we started out 3.5 hr drive at 9:45pm it went really quick as we were catching up on everything we hadn’t had time to talk about on the phone. When we got to Island Park Daniel went into his parents room and announced he was home, but late on curfew. His mom sat up and asked if it was Daniel and then when she realized it shook his dad awake so he would know too. I think they were pretty excited.
Thursday July 8-
We got up and got to spend the morning with Daniel’s mom & dad. Talking about our new job and the scary road of cancer that is ahead for his mom. But it was truly one on my favorite mornings- nothing too pressing and just quality family time. That afternoon my family started arriving for the reunion. Daniel & I were in charge of dinner so we got it ready, Taco Salads, and then it was just free time for people to fish, canoe, hike. It was a beautiful evening in Island Park.
Friday July 9-
Up and at ‘em. Ate a yummy breakfast from Jared & Jordan’s family. Jordan’s family unfortunately didn’t make the reunion as the flu bug had been circulating through all of the Baxter Clan- it hit them strong at the wrong time- so they were dearly missed.
After breakfast we were off to Yellowstone. The usual 1.5 hr drive to Old Faithful turned out to 2.5 hr drive because of Road Construction- It all worked out fine as we rendezvous at Old Faithful with our Sack Lunches from Jami & Josie’s family. After that some families explored the National Park more- some went back to the ranch.
For Dinner we had YUMMY turkey steaks and backed potatoes from Brandon/Matt/Barbie families. I was in heaven as we don’t have those out here in Nebraska. And the it was movie on the wall- supposed to be movie outside, but the rain forced us inside.
That Night we figure out Hazel is allergic to horses- luckily Donielle had her inhaler and we thought that did the trick but during the night she was having a hard time breathing and had to go to the hospital. We felt bad we had slept through all the commotion but luckily everything turned out okay.
Saturday July 10-
Rhodes cinnamon rolls that had raised all night and cereal fed our bellies to spend everyone home. Everyone was actually up and packed pretty early. So we spent the afternoon napping and with Daniel’s family. We loaded up the truck and left around 8 for our 11 hour drive home from Island Park. Daniel was able to help give his mom a blessing before we left and then we had to say our good byes for now--- Leaving Daniel’s mom sick this time was much much harder than leaving for Florida. Some people would rather be away while a family member is super sick but we are opposite- we would rather be right there along for the journey. I HATE that cancer isn’t a team battle- if it were it would be easier to handle, but seeing someone you love so much be taken to deaths door and back- that’s hard to deal with especially over the phone.
Sunday July 11-
We drove til 1:30am and then stopped to sleep for a while, got back up and drove again arriving home in time to unpack and and get everything ready for the week ahead. It was a great trip home, but we have done plenty of traveling since May 10, so we don’t plan on traveling too much for a while
1 comment:
We will pray for Dan's mom! I hope all goes well for her. Way to go on the branding dinner! As for the lawn--I'll bet no one but you noticed! Miss you guys! Bonnie
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