Cousin Mania!!

Went for a walk down to Newton Market!!  The new owners are so totally cool!  They let us have ice cream cones for FREE!!  It's good to have connections...somewhere!  Really, Josh & Krisene's little market is so adorable.  I should have taken more pics of it, but I was distracted by which ice cream flavor to choose! 

Pit Stop In Utah Before Driving Home

We dropped Trent off at the airport with tearful goodbyes.  We are so very happy that this year, the 11th year as we have affectionately or not so affectionately dubbed it, is almost over.  Only 4 more months!!  It was so, so, so wonderful to be able to spend so much quality time together.

It's hard for me to say just how hard it was for me to drive away from Trent at the airport in Palm Springs.  I tried to be strong and not tear up, but for me it seems that is akin to climbing Mount Everest!!  So, I let it out as I drove down the dark freeway of the early morning hours and practiced steady breathing so the kids wouldn't detect my true state.  I have found that positivity reigns supreme during a deployment!  If the kids think I'm happy and that everything is cool...then it is!

We were, after all, headed to see more cousins in Utah before making the trek back to Wisconsin.  I was exhausted both physically and mentally that I had to stop in Primm, Nevada for a nap.  I found a shady tree to park under, put in a movie and asked the kids to be quiet for at least 45 minutes so I could get some sleep.  They were ok for a while, but after 30 minutes they'd had enough so I gassed up the car and off we went.

I'd love to say that the rest of the drive was uneventful, but that would be the understatement of the year!  We had terrible weather from Cedar City all the way up to Brigham City.  Black skies, high winds, snow, sleet, hail & driving rain!  It was insane, but it kept the adrenaline coming so I didn't need anymore pit stops for shut eye!!

The kids were so excited as we pulled into Josh & Kristene's driveway, they practically jumped out of the car before I'd parked.  Let The Wild Rumpus Start!!

A New Perspective!

I had so many fun activities lined up to do while in Palm Springs.  In my head we were going to have so much down time while Trent was attending lectures.  I researched online, wrote down directions, times and phone numbers.  I had plans to go on a tram ride, hiking, see a waterfall, go feed giraffes, play at the local children's museum, you know stuff kids like.  But we did none of those things.  The kids just wanted to swim.  As in all day, every day...swim.  At first I got stressed out by this but then Trent asked me why?  and I couldn't answer him.  I quickly realized my stupidity and gave in...as in all day, every day!!

We picked up a point and shoot underwater camera for Trent to take back to the Island with him.  I've been begging and begging for photos, and have not yet received them...I'm hoping this will encourage him!  He keeps telling us how awesome the reefs are around the Island and how colorful the fish are...now we want proof!!

Palm Springs

Trent's conference was held at a beautiful resort in Palm Springs, CA.  Our rooms were gorgeous and overlooked one of the many pools.  It was so wonderful to be alone as a complete family unit.  The kids were phenomenal all week long.  We barely had to get after them to behave.  It was so nice!  I don't know if they were all just feeling the love because we were all together again, but it was awesome!

The resort had a playground and game room.  We played pool, foosball & pac-man  (ps...let it be known that Millie is the family champion for highest score in Pac-Man!!)

Our good friends from med school, Jarrett & Rachel Hammer, were at the conference too!  It was a lot of fun to see them and a very nice surprise!

We also were able to get together with Barry & Alisa Humpherys a few times.  They are currently stationed just over the mountain at 29 Palms.   We got to meet their baby Garrett for the first time and the girls got to play with Addyson.  We miss you guys!

We had a family of ducks just outside our hotel rooms.  We had fun feeding these little guys and watching them play.

Taylor & Jen came over for a quick visit too.  The kids had a good time playing with Adam.  Cousins are the best thing ever!

It wasn't all play, we did a bit of work too....

Bedtime stories with Dad, the very best part of the day!  

Luke Turnes 9!!

Our little man is growing up so quickly!  It was very nice to have Trent be here to celebrate with us.  Luke has really been the most affected by this deployment and it meant a lot to him to have Dad there!  What luck to have had this conference at the same time, ya!!  We were planning on celebrating his b-day while in Palm Springs, but parties are always more fun with lots of family involved!  So aunt Angela, Cohen, Emry & Carley made him a cake while he was gone fishing with Trent, Travis & Kendrick.  We celebrated in style with cake, ice cream & presents!!

 

Happy Birthday Lucas!!