Around and Around

I think I've been here before...July I mean. Except no Christmas music has been played yet. You know there's a lot going on when the mood distills and the CD's DON'T get brought out...

It all started when I made the decision to go to bed early. Good or bad idea? I'll let you decide! As my body adjusted to the new timing I found myself staring at the dark popcorn ceiling a'la 3 am on several occasions. To pass time I talk to God or think uninterrupted (precious, precious time!). The habit of pulling out the 'ol phone to surf, mainly facebook, was creeping in. And that's when I saw it..."Enter to win! Create your own video! LAST YEAR'S WINNER ENTERED LATE TOO!!!"

Could it be my explosively creative side, cranking my mind? Could it be the delirium of moonlight on my brow? Was there nothing on my list of "to-do's," or avoidance of the list, that caused my mind to churn, churn, churn? Sleep would NOT come. My brain insisted on coming up with an idea to enter this contest. My eyes finally collapsed as the exact idea and excitement of tomorrow filled my be-ing.

I wouldn't go into such a big time commitment without God's approving hand. When I prayed, I felt distinctly, "See what happens." Yeah! Long story short. Video #1 was made start to finish in record-breaking time for me: 3 days! Awesomely and miraculously, family, friends, and strangers came, they saw, they voted! We made the top ten and yesterday got a bunch of prizes in the mail.

 

This video was made as the contest neared the end (1 day to complete!)

 As a way to say "Thank you" to voters, this is the Director's Cut 

(this one took longer because I added a new commercial,

but in the end took it out because it wasn't my best work)

Due to all the time that no longer existed for much, I didn't get directions printed out for our vacation trip. There wasn't any fresh bread for 3 weeks (ok, except maybe 2 loaves). The dirty dishes only saw Joe's uncomplaining willing hands. And getting to bed early flew out the window faster than a little girl running from a creepy household spider.

Then off to vacation in an excited hurry!!

Candid car shot. Haha, Charlotte looks especially...cute!

 

Angel! Xela was an angel too, meeting many of Claira's needs in the car.

To be fair, here's a gross one of me :)

Stopped at the old college house. So many great memories with special people in my life!

We planned and executed a family visiting trip that was in every way fulfilling. Honestly, long car rides with the girls are good and the time with family is a little stressful. This go around, the time with family was relaxing, enlightening and fabulous and the car ride was--cliche' (are we there yet?), long (the 12 turned 15 hour first day was not fueled by happy adrenaline), water was rationed, restroom mandatory at each fill up and if anyone touched Anne, they'd hear about it (from her)!!

Can you find the 6 cousins?

Bonding with Aunt Mandi and Harker!

Oh, what fun! Austin is a contentious, safe driver!

We spent the 4th of July with Mandi, David and her 3 boys. Darn I love them so much!!! Mandi and I are only 13 months a part and we have so many of the same goals that being with her is like a charge on life! Joe and David had great stimulating conversations (something they both enjoy) and the girls played with the boys in outside dirty pleasure that kids should have. We ate yummy healthy food, grown-ups watched a good suspenseful movie "Not Without My Daughter," the girls got driven by Austin in their Go Kart and books were read and shared. It was all so wonderful!!

Xela got a surprise visit from one of her favorite people!

A Conference Center tour in Salt Lake City had been on the agenda for months and it was lovely. The original artwork inspiring, the magnitude of the building fantastico, and a new perspective given.

Family Improv Picture. Nice!

We arrived in Zion National Park at Joe's family's cabin late in the evening. We caught up with comings and goings of Aunt Kayann and her family, Aunt Morgan and her children, Uncle Lang, Aunt Chelsi and her husband, Uncle Calvin and his family and Grandma and Grandpa Black. The girls played with their cousins. Making paper dolls was the "thing" to do. The balcony was a fun spot. Sleeping with cousins on the air mattress at night was always exciting. The days were warm and the nights were cool. Joe went on a "hike" with 3 of the girls. We ate yummy food, completed puzzles and caught up with one another. I read a book in a day. What a relaxing time!!

Bonding with Aunt Morgan

Busy cabin

Mealtime!

Lee and Joe (and someones feet? :)

We headed to Henderson to be with Joe's Mom for her birthday. We saw Uncle Adam and his family and enjoyed hanging out with more of the family. Charlotte became sick for a few days and we didn't go many places. Again a nice relaxing time with family!

Charlotte with her namesake :)`

Great Grandpa Kay Adams, Aunt Kayann to the left :)

It was very nice of extended family to prepare and supply for meals that (mainly) I and my family could enjoy! Another part of the trip included Xela getting sick one night at the cabin, Charlotte at Grandma and Grandpa's house and Anne when we did a family camp in Colorado (hers was complete with throwing up). The time we spent in Colorado was a great! Except for Joe's sunburn, we enjoyed cooking over the fire, seeing the scenery and just spending family time together!!

Grandpa Black and Claira :)

Crashed on the bed

Uncle Lang traveled back to Minnesota with us and and has been nothing but helpful. We accidentally missed our turn and ended up in Kansas instead of Nebraska (affording a little more scenery). So we decided to make the most of it. We visited Wamego, Kansas. We went swimming there and the next day went to the worlds largest collection of The Wizard of OZ memorabilia at the OZ Museum. It was pretty cool.


In between all the contest jazz, Mom (Grandma) and (Auntie) Laci came up for a visit. That was awesome too. I love catching up with my sisters. Mom is a huge help wherever I need her!

Mom and all her granddaughters (I hold the corner on that market. It seems to be my superpower, haha)

"Let's all fit in the picture!"

So we are in Minnesota again. Things are relatively back to normal :) I've been able to go to bed early a few times. A good idea? (I now keep my phone plugged in in the living room at night.) Anne picked out a Veggie Tales Christmas movie and we'll probably hear some comforting Spirit-filled music before the month turns. With wonderful memories of a Contest-filled June, a Family-filled July, we look back with fondness and learning.  We are extremely grateful for loving, thoughtful and kind family and friends who made it all so magical for us!!

We love you!!

Jenni, Joe, Xela, Charlotte, Anne, Claira