Look Who Got Her Permit!!

It has been a long time coming. Scout turned 15 in November, but her birthday was right before Thanksgiving and then it was Christmas. I made her an appointment, but when we got there, I realized I had left all my paperwork at home. It was nearly a month before we could get another appointment. 

But it's  all good now. She passed the test her first time! Stay off the sidewalks!!

Traveling Together: Heading Home

Friday dawned bright and early (way too early...) and we grabbed a quick breakfast before loading everything into the van. It was a long drive home and we had to do it quick so that Curly could unpack and repack before jumping into the car with Sport to go ice fishing with their scout troop. Burrito and Taco were leaving a couple of hours earlier with the rest of the boys, so even if our boys got away at 3:00, it would be difficult for them to reach camp before it started getting dark. 

But I digress...

We were still traveling and even though we were a little sad to be leaving, we all agreed that we had so many things that needed to be taken care of at home that it was time to go. (Except for Scout... I think she would have moved there permanently as long as we had complete access to the pool and hot tub area.)

There was still plenty of snow in Idaho. We had not seen terrible snowstorms as was predicted, but we did have several new inches of powder and that made the ride home even more beautiful than the crusty snow we saw on our way in. 

We traveled straight through to Idaho Falls where I begged my sweetie to stop for a few minutes. I was getting a little carsick and I needed some air. I was surprised and pleased with his stopping spot. Until this trip, we had never seen the falls in the winter. Much of it was iced over, but there were a few places where the water was still moving. It was bitter cold though and we didn't stay for long. 

Another quick stop for lunch and we still made it home half an hour before we had expected. It was a flurry of activity as we got the boys all packed and out the door. It took us much longer to get things put away and settled. 

I love this nomadic life. We only worry about the basics, cooking, cleaning our tiny place, and spending time together. It was sort of like when we were first married. Things were so much more intimate and simple then. Maybe when all the kids are grown we can buy an RV and just travel around. 

Do you think that sounds like me? Ten years ago I never would have thought so.

Traveling Together: Just Playing

We had planned to snowmobile around Island Park on our last full day, but my sweetie slipped on the ice at Yellowstone and ended up with bruised knees. He worried that if we spent all day sitting on  a snowmobile that the drive home on Friday would be unbearable. So we cancelled our reservations and sent the kids out to play in the snow.

They started building a snowfort, but after an hour of moving the heavy snow, they modified their plan into two "thrones" instead.

My sweetie suggested we head for the pool about 3:00. He had been up early working at his makeshift desk and he was ready to soak in the hot tub.

We were in the pool every single day of our vacation except the day we headed home.

Even Grandpa played volleyball with us in the pool. He is a natural athlete and at 85, he is still a formidable opponent. 

After an hour and a half in the pool, we headed to the gameroom for our last time.

Curly and Scout went against each other for the air hockey championship.

While Baby Doll and I played ping pong. We finally learned the actual rules and that made it much more fun.

We took one last shot at the basketball game, but Scout still beat me. I could only sink 12 in a timed minute.

We truly love this place.  The kids want to make it a new January tradition and I agree. Now we just have to convince my sweetie...

Traveling Together: Making Cookies

One of the things that convinced us we wanted to vacation in the cold were those crazy Hallmark Christmas movies. Watching people play in the snow, ice-skate, and decorate for Christmas made it all sound so fun (even though I hung up my skates decades ago.)

There is definitely plenty of snow here even though all the Christmas lights have been taken down. But there is one Christmas tradition we love to do all year long... bake cookies.

It was Baby Doll's idea,  so I put her in charge. I will be so glad when her bangs are finally grown out. I actually called her "Cousin It" at lunch today because they were all hanging in her face.

But I digress...

So, once she got started, I went in the bedroom and just look what happened!

Cookies!!

All by herself. 

When did she get so grownup?