We love transportation. Especially when it helps us see and enjoy our families back west. We made the two week trek to see both sides of our family, visiting 3 states, sleeping in 5 different homes, and driving 2 different cars. We were sure glad to have all various things that move to help us get there.
Our suitcases were the first crucial vehicle we employed. Packing for 2 kids and a baby [and oneself] is a bit ridiculous, but pushing and pulling everything with wheels is sure a lot easier than carrying it all around. [On the way home we added a box and one more bag. Somehow, Allie and I managed to get all the checked luggage and the carseat to the bathroom and then to the curb without paying for the 5 dollar airport cart, while the boys went to retrieve the van. Not sure how much longer we can pull that off. Yay for cheap creativity!]
Porter loved flying and did an excellent job sitting, eating and sleeping (our first kid to fall asleep easily on a plane!) That same baby however, was not thrilled about all the time we spent in cars. The hours spent shuttling to and from the airports, to family cabins and to entertainment were either mostly peaceful (b/c Porter was asleep) or terribly painful as he cried inconsolably. Thankfully, as soon as he was freed, he would flash those big blue eyes and be our happy little guy again. Oh those eyes!
This black beauty of a car was our rental in UT. Although we prefer our van, it was definitely much cozier :) The rental company told us it was not designed for off-roading. We didn't think much of it until we got to Idaho and laughed at how many sand and gravel "roads" we ended up taking it on. It held steady and served us well, and so far we haven't heard from the rental company :)
We stayed a number of nights at my Dad's family's property in southern ID, near Bear Lake. I was stunned by the beauty of the lake as we came in from Logan Canyon. It is enormous and bluer than Porter's eyes. It was so fun to enjoy the company of aunts, uncles, cousins and my Grandparents, and all the fun toys they brought! We got to enjoy a boat (and try our hand at surfing!), sea doos, paddle boards and inflatable water toys. None of which we brought. Thanks everyone for letting us free load!
Jackson and Mark ready for a ride on one of the Sea Doos
Mark and I were fortunate to see all of our living Grandparents on this trip. I love this picture of "G'pa Po" (as Allie calls him), out trying to fix this old transporting beauty.
Porter, Allie and Lily took turns in the beach front pack n' play, after the constant transportation barrage got to them.
Jackson was transported into pure bliss with these boys as company. He and kissn' cousin (once removed) Reed, were the best of little buddies, and had so much fun tagging along with the older boys.
Following UT and ID, we flew to AZ to see Mark's family and attend a large family reunion. Ranch life requires a diversity of transportation. Tractors, horses, 4 wheelers and lots of trucks are utilized weekly, if not daily on the ranch.
Jackson didn't much care what vehicle he was taking, all were desirable--especially with Aunt Rebecca!
(He was definitely her little groupie)
Even without Rebecca, he totally soaked up the various ways to get around.
Not everyone loved to be transported around by large moving creatures and machines. Allie is much more the Ferdinand. How nice to have a Grandma to sit with!
She did finally get brave and try out her horse riding skills (after the 2nd day of attempting), and following one round, demanded going on a ride with G'pa!
At the reunion, we got to haul ourselves around on foot most of the time, and all that practice came in handy during the annual family race. Mark Jackson and I all placed 3rd in our "divisions"--Jackson did the whole 1.7 miles in his trusty cowboy boots that transported him throughout the whole vacation.
The reunion was for 5 generations of Mark's family--(Norman's cousins). I missed the big family picture, but our feet got us to the more immediate family pic. It's sometimes overwhelming to look at a picture with so many amazing people. It's only funny to suddenly realize that within this picture, over half of the cousins (who are also amazing) aren't even there! Oh family.
Mostly, the whole thing was a blast, and we were so glad for all the transportation that made it possible.
We came back to a little Porter who can now transport himself as he scoots across the floor. WHAT?! Video soon.
2 Bonus pictures:
Lewis who transported us all back into multiple time genres, as he sported this look for most of the time he was at the homestead. We all felt very protected and assured of our safety with this Ausie, cowboy, Arabian sword wielder protecting us.
And here's one of G'pa Paul riding [in jeans] down a steep gravel dirt road. Luckily it was Brant who crashed on the 2 wheeled transporters, and not this snazzy guy. Goodness-what a crazy great-g'pa--who we totally love!
