On the way to Alaska, I just overnighted in Eagle (thanks Mom for picking me up, and THANK YOU Dad for driving me back to the airport so early in the morning!).
On the way home from Alaska, there was a 'school's out' sleepover at Oma and Opa's house the night I arrived. This was my wake-up committee on Saturday morning. McKayla, Zoe, Stella on the left, Aunt Jessi in the middle, Carter, Hallie Bree and McKayla on the right.
My cousin Katie and her new husband Christopher were just married in the Idaho Falls Temple and their Hermiston, OR reception was this weekend. On Saturday afternoon, Mom and I drove the four hours to the Castellaw's and they let us work in the kitchen/cake table. It was fun to visit with my Mom during the drive, so nice to be casual for the reception and wonderful to be useful.
We had a camper to sleep in (thank you!) and then we enjoyed the drive back to Eagle. Stopped at a few Oregon Trail Historical Markers (Mom's Blog has more details) and we were home in time for Sunday dinner.
"Dedicated to the memory of the intrepid pioneers who came with the first wagon train in 1843 over the old Oregon Trail and saved the Oregon Country to the United States. Erected by Old Oregon Trail Ass'n July 4, 1923...Dedicated by Warren G Harding President of the United States July 3, 1923"
Old Oregon Trail marker placed by Ezra Meeker in 1921.
Replica of an actual size wagon - pretty certain that the replica oxen are a bit small though!
On Monday morning, this was my wake-up committee: Huge brown bear, Carter and Bree. There was only one brown bear at my wake-up snuggle hug squish pounce laugh. The first bear was a gift for the Davis kids, brought home from SLC by their Mom - Kim stayed at my apartment while I was gone (poor timing, I could use the company now!) The second bear was a gift for Kim from her employers. Lucky kids ended up with a bonus bear! I saw twice as many bears in Eagle as I saw in Alaska! Ha!
This is my "thank you" gift from Kim for letting her stay at my little apartment for the week - even though there was ZERO food and the only way to watch movies was on the tiny portable DVD player because I haven't figured out how to easily hook it up to the TV. Isn't it gorgeous!? Now I'm on the lookout for some earrings - maybe something silver with the polka dots like the top ring... or something silver with the purple amethyst stone that is in the center. THANK YOU Kim! I love it.
And this is an early birthday present from the McCalvys - so sweet! I suppose it would officially be the only bear I saw in Alaska this trip. And some multi-color earrings too. I'm so spoiled. I love having such nice variety to accessorize with. THANK YOU!
And then I have to post the photo actually showing my face because I trimmed myself some bangs after I got back to Utah. Cute? I think so. Here's hoping they don't drive me crazy.
Happily, Monday morning was Kim's first day home from SLC. Sadly, Monday morning was my flight back to SLC. So this is a photo of our Welcome Home/Goodbye Committee. (Bree, Jessi, Carter, McKayla, Ellie and Kim)
P.S. Most of those pictures are Mom's - Thanks!
When I got back to Life Flight, Emily had decorated my desk with a cute Welcome Back banner! She had a very busy 2 weeks.
The backpack I ordered before I left arrived. I had it shipped to Life Flight because I knew it would come while I was gone. I got a super great deal on a Kelty kid backpack and this one came with the sun/rain shade. Even at over $100 off retail (why are they so expensive!?), I might have been able to find a used one for cheaper. But I figure we can use it for all our little banditos and don't you love the color! Just how little a baby can safely be tucked in here?
Happy to be home again... except for the 95-degree weather. Sigh.
