Outward Bound

A look at our epic westward odyssey.  Virginia to Colorado...Twelve Days of Awesome Adventure! The cuties getting loaded up on our first day.  Don't panic.  Hannah rode in her rear-facing car seat directly in front of Millie.  
First night in our hotel in Ohio.  The key part of this photo are the gorgeous flowers.  My unbelievable husband sent them for my milestone birthday that we were celebrating on the road.  Yes, he ordered flowers from the aircraft carrier and had them delivered to the middle of nowhere Ohio.  Astounding.
First stop: the dear Baker Family in Chicago.  They also showered me with birthday luxuries.  This was a great, relaxing visit with these friends that mean so much to me.  

Annika, Kamea, Mihaela, Hannah, Mils, Simon
From the Bakers we headed to my Aunt Pat and Uncle Darrel's house (you know how I love to be with my Aunt and Uncle!) and then on to my cousin Courtney's.  Courtney and I are the same age and spent so much time together as kids.  Reconnecting as adults and moms is the coolest.  It's easy, comfortable, encouraging and just so fun.  Here's our crew.  Maeve and twins Ella and Finn.  Those are some good, happy kids!
AMES, IOWA!  THE WADES!  
My sweet Libbey with baby Hannah.  So so good to be together again.
There was lots and lots of dancing to some questionable pop tunes (Usher, Kelly Clarkson, FUN).  Hysterical.  Oh I hope the kids remember this time together.

A little fountain-hopping in downtown Des Moines.  Quite the urban oasis.


Help and fun arrived in the form of my sister Julie.  She met us in Des Moines and we hit the road for Wichita.  I haven't been back to Derby, Kansas (scene of my high school years) since college.



The last stop 'til Louisville, Colorado was in Lindsborg, Kansas -- a fun Swedish village with lots of places to run and roam.