Vacation out West Part II - Evanston, WY

On the morning of July 2, we once again ventured out to I-80 for the final 13 hour leg of our journey.  We left the Wheeler's house at 6:30 am in hopes of getting an early start.  We stayed up way too late to leave any earlier than that.  We dragged some sleepy-eyed kids to the van and were quickly on our way.  Our journey across Nebraska was probably like anyone else' journey across Nebraska - plain and uneventful as we stretched across miles and miles of corn fields.  At about 9, when the kids woke up, we stopped to dress the children.  Once we got on the road again, we pulled out breakfast and fed the kids on the road.  It was very hot, so we stopped a couple extra times to be sure we didn't overheat.  After 5.5 hours (6.5 if you count the time difference),we made it to the Wyoming line.  At this point I got very excited because not only was the speed limit 80 mph, we were finally in the state of our destination.  I must say that I was disappointed when I saw the mileage mark to Evanston was just under 500 miles - Ugh!!  Even at 80 mph, we were in for a long ride.  I decided I needed to make it to at least Cheyenne before I requested a driver change.  By the time we got there, all 4 of my passengers were sound asleep.  This was my chance to get some serious mileage out of the way.  I set the cruise for 5 over the speed limit (yes, I was going 85) and spent the next 3 hours winding through the hills of Wyoming.  If it weren't for all the slow semi's, I would have made more progress. 

The last 3.5 hours or so of the day were by far the slowest of the entire trip.  Surprisingly the kids didn't complain too much (Disney movies did much to sway them away from that), but I was just so ready to be done driving for a time.  I just knew that if I could make it to Little America, the .70 cone would tie me over till we reached my mom's house.  Imagine my disappointment when I saw the sign stating Evanston was still another 100 miles.  Drat!  However, the children sure enjoyed the ice cream cones and playground. 

 

We each took a turn posing with the buffalo. 

 

 

Zabien took a turn driving

 

 

and a short hour and half later, we pulled into the driveway of my parents house.  Hooray!  We made it.  Let the vacation begin. 

 

 

While in Evanston, we celebrated the 4th of July (mentioned in an earlier post), played games in the backyard with Aunt Katie and grandma (also in an earlier post "how to play tag"), rolled down some big hills at the park,

 

 

on Uncle Seth's back no less - the Richard's clan zoomed into town for a short visit because they couldn't wait to meet Hazel Mae. 

 

and played multiple days at the park.  Zabien especially liked the train park, complete with a legitimate train engine.  No train climbing is complete without your baby doll.

 

 

There are some nice parks in Evanson - we visited 3 different ones.  At this point, Hazel is much too young for the baby swings, but she was getting heavy to hold so I put her in.  She didn't mind - she enjoyed the calming swing back and forth.

 

 

I was impressed that she was able to climb up this far, and doubly impressed that she climbed the small rock wall. 

 

 

Zabien invented a new game called "Mountain."  In order to play, you climb up the wood stairs in the back yard as high as you can and shout - "I'm a tall mountain at the very top."  Then you sit on the mountain and wait for Zabien to tell you to move.  Easy game and very short.   

At grandma's house, we got spoiled with lots of yummy treats - cookies, Creamies, donuts with chocolate ice cream.  The kids won't forget all the soda, chip, and "grandma juice" they were served.  Grandma juice is grape Crystal Light mixed with equal parts of water and Sprite - what a hit with the kids.  With all the goodies, treats, and snacks the kids ate while there, I'm surprised they were as well behaved as they were - it was quite impressive.  They were super excited to go to grandma's house. 

Eliza and Zabien both enjoyed playing games in the yard with Katie and Grandma.  They played games like "Duck, Duck, Fox" (Eliza's version of duck, duck, goose), pirate ship, and various other made up games.  They both enjoyed pulling the waterproofing that was slowly peeling off the back deck.  In fact, it saved grandma some work down the road since there was very little to peel off when the kids got through with it.  Zabien also enjoyed ringing the doorbell on the back patio.  Yes, there is a doorbell on the back door, and it makes a different sound than the one on the front door. 

 

No visit with grandma and grandpa is complete without card games.  Hazel is learning the tricks of Pinochle at a young age so she'll be a pro when she is older.  Maybe she will have the game winning streak in her like her mom and grandpa. 

All those games really tuckered her out.  Aunt Katie benefits from the snuggle time. 

 

Grandma had lots of books to read and toys to play with.  Most of those toys, I played with as a kid so it was fun to see my children enjoying the same things I used to. 

Hazel, 3 months old (at this time), is very generous with her smiles.  They were very much appreciated by all but especially grandma. 

 

How can you not love that face and want to smother it with kisses?

 

 

While there we also got to meet the newest cousin - Avery.  Although she is only 2 weeks younger than Hazel, at this time, she was a whopping 6 pounds lighter

 

Many times during our stay in Evanston, our plans were rained out.  Thunder and lightning and parks and playing outside just don't seem to go together.  However when the lightning stopped and the rain continued, Zaby didn't hesitate for a second to "cool off" from the overflow dripping off the eaves.  Within minutes, he was soaked. 

 

The silliness didn't end there - these garbage cans made the perfect hat. 

I really don't know why he did this.  I certainly don't make it a habit to wear garbage cans as accessories. 

 

Grandma was taken unaware in this picture, but she loved the time she got to spend with "little" Hazel. 

Aunt Katie was a hit with the kids as well.  Whether it was trying adorable hair-dos on Eliza or playing made up games with Zabien or snuggling with Hazel, she is the best.  The kids still talk about playing with Katie. 

 

We played so hard every day that some little boys just couldn't make it through dinner - yes he was so tired he even fell asleep in his lasagna. 

Hazel's expression sums up everything about our time at the Porter's house.  It was just so good to spend so much quality time with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  There is nothing better than family.  We miss them already.  Zabien asks the same two questions everyday:  "When are we going to grandma's house?  Why are we not at grandma's house?"  Sorry buddy - they just live too far away.