Trek Across America Summer Tour 2013

This year for Summer Break, Sherri, Mia (dog), and I packed into our new Toyota Prius on a trek across America to visit family. First stop, Camp Bighorn for a reunion party with some of Sherri’s old friends. We tried catching some shuteye camping under the stars, but proved to be a fitful night for Mia in her outside kennel. So we hit the road again before sun-up and drove straight to my parents’ new home in MN. After abandoning our Mapquest app around 3am, Dad finally guided us to their place with Morse code from a floodlight perched on the top of their garage. Mom and Dad sold the farm and moved onto a beautiful ranch to board their horses and watch sunsets over the rolling meadow in their backyard. That week we got to enjoy the company of my entire family (all 17 of us)- nieces, nephews, the works. We threw an epic baby shower for my brother, Joe, and his wife. We spent a whole day together scavenger hunting diapers in the woods, drawing autographed pictures for an alphabet book, and spoiling them with gifts (my favorite was a bottle of Jack Daniels). Of course the day wouldn’t have been complete without some Bocce Ball, Badmitton, Horseriding, 4-wheeling, lots of great tasting/fattening food, and a dooser campfire with plenty of burnt smores on the side. I love family.

Foggy meadow view from Ranch backyard

Jenna and Mia color coordinated

Mia always wins playing Chuckit

Sherri and girls debating on how to draw their letter picture

Boys dive in on drawing for the alphabet picture book

Walla- alphabet book finished product!

The cure for all ailments, including raising children

Mia getting a birdseye view from Sherri's lap

Good 'ol naptime with Grampa

Family Photo

The fearsome Outlaws- watch your back Billy the Kid

Never a dull moment around our family

All the Birthday Babies- Sherri included

Jake and Jenna scoping the fence line

Sara giving the rookie rider some pointers

Mom leading the way around the corral

I'm ready to race- Let's do this!

Living it up on the Ranch

Mom sure loves her horse

Kickin' it back around the campfire for some ukulele strumming