Say Cheese!

Snow Day???

Today is a snow day in Missoula. November 23rd. One day before Thanksgiving Break and we get a snow day. I think we got about a foot of snow but it's below freezing outside and blowing. Unsafe for anyone to be outside or drive.

The last time I remember a snow day was when Emily had just turned one. I remember the whole town was basically closed. We had gotten so much snow that year. I know this is the first Snow Day our kids have ever had at school but not sure when the last one was in Missoula. It doesn't happen often. If anything we have a two hour delay but not a school cancelling.

Even though it is so cold outside I'm sure the kids would love to go sled and play outside. Poor Benjamin had that "third nipple" removed yesterday. His birthmark/mole removed on his chest area yesterday and has 8 stitches. He needs to keep it easy. He is not allowed to run or jump around. He needs to keep it easy. Did I mention for the next 10 days?? How do you keep a 7 yr old boy down? For 10 days? Any ideas?

The Best Show You've Never Watched

Friday Night Lights is an amazing show. As we get closer and closer to being caught up and it being over I am so sad. Like I want to cry sad. Literally. How sad is that?

Dan and I were talking about it yesterday and it just seems the show never got a fair chance. Who puts a show on Friday nights? I remember years ago seeing the commercials and thinking that looks like a pretty good show but who is ever really sitting in front of the tv Friday nights? As Dan said he read somewhere "You either love it or you never watched it." Dan loves it - it reaches guys with the football thing, I think especially if you ever played before. It's like watching Kenny Chesney's The Boys of Fall video for an hour. It pumps you up, gets you feeling like you are in that locker room. I love it because of the relationships and the football. Coach Taylor and Tammy have a pretty good marriage that they work at every day but at the end of the day they know other has their back. Emily loves it because of the high school part of it. She gets to see lots of ways to not act in high school and some ways to act. She gets to see first loves and mean girls.

Just not sure what is going to happen soon. Sorry to see them all go. If you get a chance, sit down and watch an episode. You'll be hooked!

The Picture That Got Away

Dan and I recently found the tv show Friday Night Lights. Have you seen it before? Oh my it is amazing. I remember when it was on NBC a few years back. On a Friday night, was never really around to catch it. Well ABC family brought it back and we started DVRing every episode. We were hooked. Emily too. Well then ABC Family decidedto stop showing it. What the heck? We were into the second season! We found that season available for rent at Hastings but then they had no other ones, there is still two more seasons. Well all is good in the world, found them at Crazy Mikes video.

Anyway back to the reason for this post (again in less than a week!!!) there is a relationship in that show with the QB2, Matt Saracen, and his Grandma. They have a great, amazing relationship - always reminds me of my Grandma. Hard to believe it's been 5 years now. And still hard to believe that my Grandma actually aged and died. Still so hard.

In the episode we watched last night they showed Matt helping his Grandma walk. He just had his hand on her back and it was so sweet. Reminded me of the last time I was with my Grandma. They had moved her out of her house. And she was living in a little place with others around. Not assisted living. Yet. But a cute little apartment. Benjamin and I were in Erie and you know I can't remember why? Maybe my uncle's funeral? Anyway we went to hang out with her and the three of us went for a walk around her place - the place was built right off the shore of Lake Erie. It was a beautiful walk. I remember I was holding my little guys hand, I think he was three and I was holding my sweet Grandma's hand - keeping her steady and upright. I always wished someone was there to take a picture of that. From behind. My hands locked in place with Benjamin's and Grandmas. Three generations. When I picture that picture it makes me all warm and cozy.

There is one more picture I always wish I had too but I think I have blogged about this before - way back in the beginning. Dan's Grandma and Grandpa holding hands. They were the sweetest little couple and oh how they loved each other. Holding hands for over 70 years - what a testimony to love. When Grandpa passed away a few years ago that was what made me so sad. We didn't get that picture of their sweet little bodies walking in front of us - with their hands interlocked. Would have been something for generations to come. Especially with divorce becoming more and more prevalent - could have given our kids, grand kids, heck great grand kids something to see. That love and marriage can prevail for years. Over seventy years.

Makes me sad the pictures that are only in my head. The pictures that got away.

Emily Made Me Do It!

Emily started a blog a few weeks back - www.thatonegirlthatsme.blogspot.com I have enjoyed reading it and it has made me want to blog again. I want to scrapbook again too but that is for another time. Hey! Maybe during my winter break when I have almost all of January off!

Since I started talking about Emily and am doing this again because of her I thought, hey, what the heck, I'll tell some Emily stories.

A few days ago the song "I loved her first" came on the radio and Emily was like "I want this song played at my wedding" and all I did was say 'oh I know, it's gonna be" and she looked at me and went off and said I am not allowed to be planning her wedding now or ever! I wanted a evening wedding on a brisk November evening. My three attendants were going to wear Emerald, Garnet and Sapphire velvet dresses. I have told her I would love for her to have that wedding - the wedding I never got. Is that so wrong?? She says I am not planning her wedding. I am not allowed to have anything to do with the day. I explained to her I am sure she will change her mind. Won't she???

Another funny Emily story? Hmmmm...high school has been interesting. The stories she tells me that she sees or hears scare me half to death but then I remember being in high school too and things haven't changed much. I guess just that I am the mom now - the one worrying about these crazy kids.

My new thing to do is scream "MAKE GOOD CHOICES" when we drop her off anywhere. We dropped her off at a LDS Church Halloween party. I shouted my usual. And she screamed back, as she walking in the door, "I'M GONNA MAKE OUT WITH A NICE MORMON BOY IN THE CORNER. THEY KISS SO NICE." Ugh! What am I gonna do with her? She was very excited about this dance though. After going to her first high school dance and seeing all the kids grinding she was not very fond of the dance. The Mormon dance had rules - girls had to cover most parts of their bodies and she said the dancing was so fun, cause they danced!

She is a good kid and making good choices everyday - at least I think. She may have us fooled!

Emily is a Freshman??

Last night Emily was promoted to high school. No more middle school for her. She looked so beautiful. Kris did up her hair. She got her eyebrows waxed for the first time. Heels. A pretty dress
I picked out even. She looked gorgeous and so grown up. She is turning into a beautiful lady - inside and out.

After their ceremony they have an 8th grade dance. I picked her up from their last night and I don't quite think she realized how emotional she would be. Hugging all these friends goodbye that won't be going to Sentinel. It was hard to watch for this Mom. I'm sentimental too. I think she may have been tiny, weeny bit sad to leave the school. That was HER school for the last 3 years.

Emily earned the Presidential Academic Excellence Award last night. Not many in their class did. It's a big deal. I hope she realizes how smart she really is, how the world is open to her and her good ideas and how she can really do something with her life. I wish her so much...

A Sign From God??

So anyone that knows me knows that I struggle with my weight - daily. I don't want to be in this body and just accept me as me but then I don't always do a lot to change it either. I think about it ALL THE TIME.

Last fall I started walking daily. A few miles a day. Up hills and such. It felt so good. It was my release. I also was able to try the HCG diet for free. I did it and lost like 15 pounds in three weeks. My body changed. It was weird. It really did. I had some clothes I hadn't worn in years fit again. It was wonderful.

Then we moved and it was the holidays. Kind of fell of the wagon and in January jumped back on. Was working out at the YMCA 6x a week. Felt good. Things were shifting again and all was good in the world. Then I started that stupid job at the hotel and it totally threw me out of whack. I was tired all the time. Stopped working out. Stopped eating well. I have tried and tried and can't seem to get back on that band wagon. I am frustrated with myself and I feel my body shifting again - this time for the worse. The weather here is not helping. It's June 6th and swimming suit season or shorts are far from my mind with this 60 degree rainy weather.

Again, I think about this ALL THE TIME. Every day I want to start back up but then feel bad about myself and my mind starts playing tricks with me. Well, in the last two weeks I have had 3 different people say "God you look great". "Have you been losing weight?". How am I supposed to take this??? I've gained. I look like a freakin blob. I don't look good or feel good. But then I think is this a sign from God to motivate me???? Thinks that make you hmmmmmmm

Hannah Banana From Montana Turns 12!

I remember the first night we brought Hannah home from the hospital. It was horrible! Dan was working for Pizza Hut then and had to head to Hamilton for a meeting. He brought Hannah and I home from the hospital with Big Sister Emily and LEFT. Well, left for his meeting. I wasn't feeling that great and here I was alone with two little ones. Emily immediately started puking. Puking everywhere! This was before we had cell phones I couldn't call Dan and tell him he wasn't going to that meeting and to get home...PRONTO! I remember trying to get Emily to throw up in a bucket - it didn't work. She was puking everywhere. Hannah was bawling. I was on the floor trying to clean up the mess and bawling myself. Once Dan got home we were up all night. Either feeding the baby (Hannah) or changing sheets for Emily. It was not fun. Thank goodness we don't have nights like that anymore.

Baby Hannah has turned the BIG 1-2 today. She is turning into an amazing young woman. She is a good athlete, student, musician, friend, daughter and, sometimes, sister. Hard to believe that not that long ago she was a little one in my arms and she still continues to want to be in my arms - I think it's that middle child syndrome. She is a sweet girl and we are so happy God gave us her.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl! I love you - Mommy

I'm A 4.0 Student - Who Knew?

Well to fill you in from our Christmas letter - I did start school in January. I am hoping to get in the Radiology Program at the College of Technology through the University of Montana. I loved my first semester. Wasn't quite sure what to expect but I loved it. Loved all of my instructors. Loved everyone I sat by. Was sad to see the first semester end. But I did end up with a 4.0! I was super stoked!

I am taking one summer class. A math class. It's a 10 week class. I go Monday through Thursday from now till the end of July from 11-12. It's a lot but I will be glad to have it over with too.

I am very concerned about my fall classes. It is a very full schedule and some tough classes. I know there is no way I will be able to work especially with Dan on the road and all three kids in different schools next year. So I am trying to take it easy this summer and just get somewhat calm, cool and organized in my everyday life so the fall will not be too bad.

My Daughter Is The Coach's Daughter

Why do I let my personal emotions get so involved? Well, I guess first of all because I am a woman. That is what we do. But secondly some people are thinking negative thoughts about my family and I'm a Mama Bear and want to protect them.

It has come up recently that Hannah gets special treatments because she is a daughter of one of the coaches. I guess coaches children may get a little special treatment but I feel Hannah deserves the playing time she gets. That girl practices almost everyday. People don't realize that since they don't have practice daily that softball does not happen for Hannah daily. That is not true. Hannah wants to be a pitcher in college softball. If that is what Hannah wants, Hannah needs to pitch daily. Hannah pitches almost daily. And because she is the coach's daughter she doesn't get a break. Dan wants to go 24/7, Hannah not so much. But they compromise and they are throwing, pitching, even practicing hitting...pretty much every day.

Why do I let it bother me what other people think anyway? People are gonna think what they want to think. That is human nature. I know my daughter is a good player. I know she practices to keep her spot out on the field. What is the difference if her Dad stepped up to the plate and volunteers time to help coach her team? There isn't and there shouldn't be. Hannah deserves her time and place.

I'm A Coach's Wife

I'm the coach's wife. It's not easy. It's not a job I asked for. Not a position I am trained for. I don't love it. But I need to be supportive. I need to stand behind my man. And this also means my husband has stepped up to the plate (no pun intended since I am talking about softball). He is involved. He is doing. And did I mention he does it for free??

Dan has coached for years. I've always thought he would be a good football coach for a high school team. He coached Emily's YMCA soccer team for almost 5 years. He had pretty much the same group of girls through those years. For the last couple of years he has helped coach Hannah's softball teams and then last year he stepped up even more and is, I guess you would call an assistant coach.

I will be the first to admit this is very hard on me. Dan does not do this job half assed. He goes full throttle. (Mmmmmm - make me think of the drink. Sounds good but that's an energy drink and I need to sleep tonight). Anyway - this has caused friction in our marriage. This takes a lot of time away from our family and family time. Daddy doesn't get to go to all of Emily and Benjamin's activities if Hannah has practice or a game. Did I mention this is for two teams? The city league and the travelling team Hannah is on. Did I mention that they practice all year long? Inside in the winter, we live in Montana after all.

But this is what Dan has signed up for. This is what Dan wants to do. I think Hannah, the middle child, loves having this connection, this time, one on one with her Dad too. I need to be supportive. Stand behind my man.

Have I mentioned that Dan has a very, very competitive side? Oh, he does. If you have ever played a sport with Dan or even a game of Rummy you know. Dan wants his teams to win. He wants the team he is affiliated with to succeed. Dan can be intense. Is this a bad thing?

I am hearing criticism this year on Dan's style of coaching. Out of four coaches one has to step up and use some authority. Be somewhat harsh - encourage but really push. Dan is that coach. It's hard. I had always wondered if being a coach's wife meant that I had to sit somewhere else just so I couldn't hear what others were saying. I didn't. I'm a people person. But now I'm wondering if I should. Or should have. When Dan coached Emily's soccer team he was 10x more intensive than he currently is and this was with younger girls. No parents ever said anything - they loved that he was pushing their girls to be the best. Push themselves. He has stepped back and tries to think before he "coaches". But still some moms are upset. I find it interesting too that it's "moms". Yes it is a mom's job to keep our children safe but they also need to learn to be tough, especially when they are playing sports. Are the dads okay with this style?

Hannah is on competitive teams. Not YMCA teams where everyone plays,no one wins and every player gets an atta girl at the end. This is different. The girls are to be competitive. Have a drive. Want to win. They try out and are picked for these teams. They practice all year long. They are to earn their spot on the field. I get frustrated watching sometimes. I guess I have a competitive side too. I want to win. I want the girls to catch that fly ball. I want the girls to hit that ball over the fence, or at least swing at it. Sometimes I think a coach needs to step up and show some emotion. Tell them they gotta get that next time. Not well shucks, maybe next time.

I think back to all my coaches. I don't remember any of my coaches not pushing me or my teammates to be the best we can be. To try harder next time. I don't feel it's a coach's job to baby the kids. It's the coaches job to train the kids to play the sport. To learn the sport. To be tough. I can't think of one soft coach I had. They all were in your face coaches. Spit in your face because they were so upset. I survived. I still try to play sports. I'm not damamged. Not that this is Dan's style. I'm just sayin.

I'm a coach's wife. It's not easy. It's not a job I asked for. Not a position I am trained for. I don't love it. But I need to be supportive. I need to stand behind my man. And this also means my husband has stepped up to the plate (no pun intended since I am talking about softball). He is involved. He is doing. And did I mention he does it for free??

The New Adventures of the (same) Old Hirnings

How does that old 70's song go "Oh, what a night?". Well our theme song for 2009 should be "Oh, what a year". It has not been the best year for this group of Hirnings but as Dan and I reminisce it has been quite the adventure.

One of the most adventurous things we did this year was take a drive 2,000 + miles to the East (and then 2,000 + back West). We headed back to Erie (PA) for my 20th Class Reunion. I know, I don't seem that old! In July we got in our trusty mini van and headed to Bozeman, MT for the softball state tourney that Hannah was pitching in and then as soon as we were done there we headed out on the road. What an adventure it was...we didn't have a set schedule for the trip. I mean we knew when we needed to be there and when we hoped to get home by but no real schedule. We stopped and saw the Spam Museum in Minnesota (very entertaining and free) , we spent time at the National Football Hall of Fame in Ohio and also went past Erie to take the kids to Niagara Falls. On our way home we spent time in Chicago, IL and went to Mt Rushmore (in South Dakota). Did I mention that we camped in a tent almost the whole trip? We even got to spend a week in Erie and had so much fun catching up with old friends and family and for me to be able to play tour guide and really show them all what my hometown has to offer! (The Erie Zoo, chicken wings, Wahldameer, Smith hot dogs, the dock, The Plymouth for a lunch or two, pepperoni balls, Whippy Dip, ...)

This year with the way the economy is we decided it would be more beneficial for us to put our house on the market. After five long months it sold. We spent Thanksgiving break moving to a rental where we know reside (125 B Grandview Way, Missoula, MT 59803. Phone number stayed the same 406-251-2143) and yes, it is the same street we lived on before we built. Kinda funny.

This fall we had to put our Sadie Girl down. Our chocolate lab, who wasn't even five yet, started having seizures that just continually got worse till she was just so out of it. It was a horrible experience and very hard on all of us. The kids have never known life without a dog and it is still hard. I miss that big goofy dog and you never know how much a dog really cleans up your floor till they are gone!

I am still in search of the perfect job for me and for our busy family. With some changes that have happened this year - I have made a huge decision and will be partaking in the BIGGEST adventure as I will be starting school in January. I am hoping to become a Radiology Technician but have some prerequisites to attend to before I really need to pick a field or major. Nervous, anxious and excited - all at the same time.

Emily turned 14 yesterday and I registered her for *gulp* high school last week. She is still playing her oboe and also continued to play soccer and softball this year. She started volleyball and is really enjoying that. She also was on the Honor Roll. She continues to push me to the limit but she's a teenage girl - that's her job right??

Hannah is now 11 and started middle school this fall. She is in a quartet with her cello and is also taking cello lessons. This summer she got involved in the Lady Osprey which is a travelling softball team. Almost every weekend we were sleeping in a tent in some town in MT while Hannah pitched her little heart out. (we even camped in the pouring rain for a whole weekend and survived). Hannah continued to play soccer and basketball. She has joined Student Council and also was on the Honor Roll! We are very proud of the young lady she is becoming.

Benjamin will be 7 in February. Where did my Baby Boy go? I showed him a picture last week of this cute little baby boy that used to live with us. He was like "Mom, that's me", I explained to him it couldn't be that he was too old. He is in the first grade and has become quite the reader. His teacher told me he hurries through his work too fast. She said "I can't be mad at him though. He doesn't do it to disrupt the class. He does it so he can get back to reading a book." He played soccer and t-ball this year. Even though t-ball bored him too much - he is ready to get kids out and run to second base when he gets the good hit. Next year little buddy! He has really become the sports fan this year and cheers on the Steelers, Broncos, GRIZ, Gators, Cardinals and still loves Nascar - see he is quite the fan he can't even pick a team! Oh, he also become a Boy Scout this year and is loving it!

Dan is still working for QSP (the school fundraising) and this summer worked again for our Minor League baseball team and also delivered newspapers. He says he caught a pretty big fish this summer but the picture shows another guy holding the fish he "claims" to have caught, so who really knows. He assists with Hannah's softball team and is attending Boy Scout events with Benjamin.

I stepped down from the Missoula County Public School board this year and it was the best decision ever. Life is more enjoyable now! Also, a bunch of us Soccer moms started our own soccer team and played this summer. We had a blast and I can't wait for next summer! Overall, I am just ready for 2010 to get here. It has to be a better year and I can't wait for the next adventure...

Love, Dan, Kelley, Emily, Hannah & Benjamin Hirning
the5hirnings.blogspot.com

I <3 Love this Town!

Friday night the Grizzlies were in Chatanooga getting ready to play Villanova in The FCS Championship Football game. The game was set to start at 6pm MST. All day, well, all week, people were stoked. So excited. Every morning Benjamin would wake up and say is today Friday yet?? You go out and you would see people decked out in their GRIZ gear, cars had their GRIZ flags out the windows, signs all over town were cheering the Grizzlies on...man I love this town. You get so excited. So anxious. What a season the Grizzlies had this year. 14 and 0.

Friday night I ran down to grab some pizzas and neccesities for Emily's little gathering here for her birthday. It was 5:25. The game was starting soon. I ran into Little Caesar's - they said they are more busy for a game like this than Super Bowl. I then ran into Albertsons and everyone is hustling and bustling, and wearing their maroon! It was just electric and exciting! I was in the store about 10 minutes and I saw 10 people I knew - all different people from different scenarios in my world. Just weird but again, exciting. We all had beer or chips in our arms trying to get to the check out and get home to watch the BIG game. I just love how Missoula is this great little football town and how we love our GRIZ here.

The GRIZ lost 23-21 but still was a fun way to get the town together and excited for something. Now bring on Christmas...

Where The Heck Have I Been?

I cannot believe I haven't blogged in over three months! What the heck! Where have I been? Here, there and everywhere. Life has not been super pleasant these last few months, I think that is why I haven't been around. Like Thumper says if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all.

We did sell the house and moved the beginning of this month to a rental back on Grandview (we lived on Grandview before we built and moved to Avon). The kids are still attending their schools even though we are now out of that area - trying hard to keep them put till the end of the school year but not sure how long it will work. We drive them to school every day and pick them up every day. Hannah has adjusted so well to middle school and is so involved in her school I seriously do not want to move her, but it may come down to that. In October Sadie started having seizures and it kind of went down hill from there. We had to, I say WE but it ended up being me, put her down a few weeks later. It was so horrible. She wasn't even 5. It's been a little easier, atleast for me, that we moved. Not use to hearing or seeing her here so that really has helped that void. Putting down two dogs in a year is not something I suggest for anyone - so not fun and so hard to do. So many other crappy things have happened. 2009 was just not our year.

15 more days in the year of 2009 - Please 2010 come quickly...It HAS to be a better year for the Hirnings. I promise to start blooging more these days...

Benjamin's First GRIZ football Game

Dan and I have had our season tickets for the GRIZ games for about 5 years now. We love them and it's quality time for us. We only have 2 tickets but I have lots of friends that have tickets for their kids. We've sometimes felt bad that we leave our kids every Saturday home game but then it is our together time. We relish it! In the past there has been a game or two that one of us couldn't make for whatever reason and usually Emily has gotten invited with the parent going. I've always thought it would be something Benjamin would love - the atmosphere, the people, the game, watching Monte...I know lots of people that just bring their little people in without a ticket, we have always been afraid to try it - I mean it's not like we can look at Benjamin and say "well, you gotta sit here on this sidewalk for 3 hours till Mommy and Daddy are done with the game" because I ain't giving up my ticket and I don't think Dan would either! Well 1st home game of the season was yesterday and Emily, our built in babysitter is out of town for the weekend and Hannah got invited to the game with Kendall so we thought this would be the time to take Benjamin for his first Griz football experience. We still get the corporate brunch tickets from Pizza Hut so we took him out to the Sky Club for a nice breakfast and then we hit some tailgates. Our friends Mary & Tim happened to have an extra ticket to the game and gave it to us in case we needed it for Benjamin. Well we did. The guy took the two tickets Dan handed him and then looked at me alike where was my ticket so I gave him the other one. I guess we can't "TAKE" Benjamin into the games! That's okay, he ended up being pretty bored and was ready to leave during the first quarter. Hannah also did not have fun and was "bored". Bored at a GRIZ game?? Are we sure these two are our kids???

First Day School Blues ~ Nah!

The kids all started school today. Emily the BIG 8th grader, Hannah is starting middle school in 6th and Benjamin is going into 1st. When did they all get so grown up?

It really wasn't a hard day - Hannah didn't seem anxious or nervous at all. She was my big worry - starting a new school. She did miss the bus home though and that's in part to her wonderful BIG sister. Who watched her get in the wrong line and then watched the bus leave with Hannah not on it! Good thing Em has a cell phone to call us and let us know Hannah wasn't on the bus! Ugh!!!

Benjamin wanted us to take him to school. He was so funny once we got there and saw all his little friends - his cute little grin!

Best thing about Emily's day? Getting her oboe back

Best thing about Hannah's day? Lunch

Benjamin's day? Recess

Placid Lake Fun

Tammy emailed me in the morning what were our plans for the day. I told her I may take the kids to Splash and what did she have plan? She said they were going back up to Placid Lake where they spent yesterday at a friends cabin with her parents boat. Did we want to go too? I could think of 50 reasons not to go, things I could do around here and such but what the heck summer is almost over and I have Fridays off at my new job now we should take advantage of the weather! We had to be back in town by 6 for the VBS the kids were attending all week but a few hours at the lake is better than a few hours not, right?? It took a little over an hour to get there but we had almost 4 hours to play! Emily opted out of coming and Dan had a meeting at 4 so he did not come either. Hannah, Benjamin and I had a blast! Most of the time was spent on the boat and tubing around on Mable - a huge tube of sort. Benjamin had so much fun! He kept saying it was the best day of his life! Thanks for the invite Bodlovics!

My Little Sharp Shooter

Benjamin and I went and hung out with Angi & Nathan, Heather & Bridger and Rhonda the other night at Ang's for some dinner and drinks. Nathan has a BB gun and wanted to show the boys how to shoot it. Boy did Benjamin have a blast. First of all Nathan is quite the sportsman and taught the boys gun safety and how to shoot it. Benjamin loved it. He never hit his target so didn't think he was too good but did great for his first time!

Erie, PA or Bust!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Home Sweet Home

I told Dan I was not even taking a shower this morning - I just want to get in the car and get home! We drove 353 miles yesterday! Gas up and hit the road by 11. We stopped in Rocker to go potty and a hail storm came through - kind of hurt - OUCH - to get hit by those little pellets! 341 miles later and we are home...Awwwww.... And a chocolate lab puppy dog was pretty excited to see us!

It was a trip in actuality we shouldn't have taken. We couldn't afford the trip but I'm so glad we just went for it. It was fun to see and visit with family and friends and to see the country!

Funny sayings along the way - at one time Dan and I were talking about Benjamin and said out loud "what's not to love about Benjamin?" and Hannah so quietly, and middle child like, whispers "BENJAMIN!"

On a bumper sticker - if life gives you lemons, squeeze them into someones eyes and run!

Hannah's hand always "falling" right into mine and her looking at me and saying "funny how that happens"

A semi driving by - "Be A Flirt and Lift your Shirt"