While Steven finished up his last few weeks of residency the kids and I
(accompanied by my kind Mom)
hit the open road for a very long, very fun, but very glad we're home, trip!
It was 3, 397 miles to be exact - but whose counting?
It all began when we decided to head towards Kansas in search of a home.
We did just that.
A family we know (Steven went to med. school with the husband) is leaving Ft. Riley for fellowship.
They needed someone to rent their home and we needed a home to rent.
It was a blessing for all.
From there the thought process went something like this.
As long as we're in Kansas, might as well head over to Denver and
visit my sister and her family.
Kyle and Kadyn
Kaela, Kyle, Haley
Crazies
As long as we're in Denver, might as well head for Utah and visit my sister, brother, and their families as well.
BYU Creamery and "Y"
Brannon and Paige at her baptism.
Cousin Carson and Kadyn
The girls!
Grandma Darden, cousins Juliet and Ella, Thatcher, Kadyn, cousin Paige, and Ryley
Ella and Thatcher
Above are three of my awesome roommates from Ricks College.Me, Lindsay, Liz (sis), and Julie.
We had a great time at "Jump On It".
Below is all of our posterity together. :)
A visit to Utah would not be complete if we didn't head to Southern Utah to see Mom and Dad Ballard.
Steven's sister Julia lives there with her family as well.
We had a great time playing at their home and getting to know their cute boys.
Cousins Robert and Ronin.Mom and Dad had a pool put in this past Spring. It was SO fun.
Out of the blue Kadyn decided to take off her floaties and became a fish in water.
It was an amazing thing to watch.
She was diving and swimming all over the pool.
Now we have 2 out of 4 swimmers. Pretty good odds.
A great half way point from Utah to Tennessee is Albuquerque -
(which happens to be where I was born and raised)
and where my Mom and one brother still live.
Top of the Albuquerque Tram
The kids had
the best time ever visiting with all of their cousins.
That alone made the many miles of driving worth it!
On a side note. We missed Father's Day by only one day.
Knowing this would happen I cleaned out the girls top drawer three weeks prior
and the kiddos laid out cards and suckers.
When the great day came we called up Daddy, sang "Father I Love You", and told him to go check the drawer.
It was a great surprise to him!
Hey, he's the best Dad ever - we couldn't just let it pass by! :)
