You Know You Live In Idaho When...

....your kids get out of school for spud harvest, for almost two weeks to boot. So what's a Mom to do? Well if she's from Idaho she signs all the boys in the family up to actually harvest potatoes working from sun up to sun down for the whole break and get them a good jump on their mission funds. I guess I'm from elsewhere cause that sounded like and excellent excuse to get out of town. I would like to say I planned a trip well in advance and had made all arrangements necessary for an extended trip out of town but if you know me that's just not my style. Friday I called my Mom to see if she was up for guests. Saturday I called my brother and his family in Colorado to see if we could visit and bunk there over night and Sunday we took off at 5:30 in the morning. Sunday night in Colorado I discovered that a dear friend from Arkansas lived right on the route to Dallas and called to0 see if she too were up for mass invasion on the morrow. She was and I was thrilled to add another adventure to trip. So began a 3,000 ml. trip with seven children and one Mom.
I really couldn't have made this trip without the Colorado and Kansas stops. I think you guys are the best thing since Godiva Truffles. In Colorado the port-o-john next door and wii fit were a hit. In Kansas "The Brawl" was king I think the boys would have had a week long tournament if they could have figured out how to fit it in to one day.The kids are ready to travel back just for the food so you know it was good. My favorite part was getting to see people that I miss and think of so often. I know it sweetened all of the time we spent on our travels not just for me.
Gramma and Grandpa where there to greet us when we arrived in Dallas on Tuesday afternoon. It was a new experience to go visit and not have Dad gone to work most of the time. I think I like it. The kids played wii and playstation. We went to the Sears Outlet and Ikea I bought appliances and planned cabinets and after a trip to Lowe's I had a full van and a trailer full of appliances to haul home to Idaho. We made a trip to Krispy Kreme, visited the Pumpkin Patch, went to Cabela's, lucked into seeing the coolest part of the air show, jets are awesome and amazing, Mom cut ribbon and Kieran helped, the boys played tennis, all the kids enjoyed the park and no trip to Gramma, in Dallas, would be complete without going to the arboretum.
I can now say I have had ostrich and elk. Someday I want to have my own arboretum and in autumn I will put pumpkins in the fountains too. They float, you know? My sister is my new favorite photographer. I loved staying up late and playing games with Brayden, Kieran, Gramma, and Elise. It got even better when Dad joined in, just to be with us, since games really aren't his thing. You could never guess when you see him in action. I feel grateful for all the time and effort spent to host our impromptu trip. It was just what I needed. It's refreshing to be with your people. You know you are wanted and they will think the best of you. They understand that your faults are not permanent and you can see their pleasure in your progress. This is also how I feel about them. The only improvement I could have made to the trip would have been to see the rest of my family and friends of my heart. Thanksgiving anyone? Even last minute.