The Move (Grandma's house)

 July 1, 2020

We had to say our goodbyes to Dad who couldn't meet up with us for over a week. The house was empty. Derek had a week left of work, and then to drive to Dallas to ship his truck and then fly and meet us in Utah. So, with nothing to do, no one to visit because of coronovirus we packed up with van and started the journey. The kids and I said our goodbyes to Texas and drove all the way to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

We had to have EVERYTHING needed to live on the drive and once in Alaska in the van and it was a tight fit. We didn't even have Derek yet. The two dogs were where the girls legs should go. Over a month living out of suitcases, and I think we started off pretty good!

Our first stop was a Wendy's for lunch. We all needed to stretch our legs. Covid made traveling extra tricky because we couldn't go inside restaurants, or anywhere for that matter to eat. We got lucky when we found somewhere that would let us use the restrooms... I'm glad Eden had her nice hospital sheet she can never leave behind because it made for an excellent picnic blanket.

We did it. We found a ginormous Texas flag painting to say goodbye to.

And before we knew it, we were in New Mexico. We drove through Roswell for a pit stop on the way to stay in Albuquerque for the night.

We tried to get as many state signs as we could as we would be crossing many along our journey. It was hard to pull off a freeway for a picture without being unsafe.

We also tried getting a souvenir from every state as well. We missed a couple, BUT did pretty good all things considered.

In the middle of no where USA you can see military trucks being shipped on a train. The things that keep you entertained on a long drive through the desert.

We made it to the hotel pretty late. Had a late dinner and the dogs loved sleeping by the kids. It was long and exhausting with one more full day of driving to make it to Grandma's house. We all crashed pretty good, but were glad for a real bed after sleeping on air mattresses.

Day 2 and we were on the road again bright and early with smiles on our faces because we were excited for cousins and Grandma time! After being in isolation lock down basically since March to the beginning of July we were ready for some real people interactions. We were trying to be safe and not get covid before, during, and after the trip. It was stressful to say the least, but we were just glad we could DO the trip!

We made it to Utah. One of our pit stops was at the Kaibab visitor center to use the restroom, gas, and stretch. It was one of my favorite places to visit as a kid. I love that I could take my kids to see a few places I saw as a kid.

We crossed back in to Arizona before heading back to Utah. It's messed up, but we got our sign pictures that way!

And the first thing we did when we got to our cousins was to go swimming of course! We hadn't been all summer, and it was HOT, and much needed. Welcome to Utah for the next two weeks!

Before we knew it, it was the 4th of July and we were celebrating and time was moving so quickly.

The kids loved driving Grandma's golf cart.

We celebrated covid style socially distancing and doing our own fireworks and watching the big ones from REALLY far away.

Cousin time is the best of times.

The girls may have gone a little glow stick crazy that night.

We needed a little rest after partying so hard the night before, so the next day we had Grandma play on the occulus. She did a great job with beat saber, and really knows how to use a lightsaber.

On July 6th we had a lake day with Shannon's family and then made Shannon's famous sugar cookies.

Elara in the meantime became Nanny McPhee with a super loose top tooth. She thought it was hilarious, so we had to send Dad the pictures. Then, sure enough it just fell out, and the tooth fairy had to visit her at Grandma's house.

July 7th marked time for the Day's to head home. It was a sad day, but we were SO happy for some cousin time. We also were able to get a drive by visit with the Nyberg kids, and a window visit with Jill and her girls, and Shelly too. Stupid covid...

We LOVE visiting at Grandma's, and were glad for just a little more time.

Derek made it it Utah!!! The dogs were very happy to see him.

We got some more swimming in.

I love the action shot of Connor trying to squirt the kids and the second picture where bombs away.

Grammy arrived on July 9th! Having both Grandma and Grammy made for extra spoils.

We were able to drive up to Zion's National Park. We love seeing all the different beauty in the earth. We were able to make a favorite stop at the Bumbleberry Inn in Springdale and grab some souvenirs and some much loved Bumbleberry pie. It's just a fun berry pie, but it's a tradition that we love.

Sadly, about 3 months after this stop we found out that there was a fire and the restaurant was badly ruined by a fire. There is hope they will rebuild!

July 10th was Pine Valley Mountain day.

Yes. Connor stripped to underwear to not get wet in the river. It was brilliant and he looked cute. Derek for the Dad win! The kids collected all kinds of treasures and we played some pine-cone baseball with Grammy.

Grammy had to leave. Kelly has a way of loving the crap out of you. Her enthusiasm and energy that come from, who knows where, when she gets to see you are contagious. Derek's mom is the funnest Grammy you've met. Derek learned all of his goodness in him from her. She was a Mom of Mom's who loves her kids to the moon and back and has taught me how to do just that. To say we were going to miss her is an understatement, and we are so grateful she took the time to come and visit us before we headed so far away.

That left only one more full day with Grandma and to pack up for the trip. In our spare time we were sewing masks for the all of us for the trip like mad people. The kids got to pick their fabric and we finally got plenty of masks to reuse for the next foreseeable future as we still are wearing masks into 2021.

One more day of cookie making to take on the trip with us.

Grandma grumpy face, "why, I can't remember".

To Grandma's that was so funny face. I think I showed her how the last picture turned out, and it made everyone laugh so hard.

And before we knew it July 13th had come. Bright and early we packed up, and had to say our goodbyes. I keep having the boys 2 men song, "It's so hard to say goodbye, to yesterday" stuck in my head because it was so true. Moving so far away and not sure when we would come back, or what lies ahead on the adventure. But, we had made SO many good memories to this point, and we knew many more were in store for us. Mostly we felt enthusiasm for our new journey. Building something together as a family. This would be a momentous occasion and the road trip of a lifetime, and we knew it. It was time to get on the road.

As far as Mom's go, I think I get to say I got pretty lucky. She is the icing on the cake. The Mama's of all Mama's. So loved. I feel it in every time I talk to her. So appreciated, valued, and special. That is how she makes me feel. I'm pretty sure my Mom's love language is service. She shows her love by serving non stop. My family was so blessed to have this time with her, and I cherish every second with her.