My biggest issue lately is the matter of family. I have lived in central Illinois for almost 9 years now. I never thought I'd still be here after college. Of course I had to go and fall in love with a man that decided to stay here. Its not a bad place really. Besides the flat lands and the heat/humidity combo in the summer, there are great schools and a lot of opportunities that go along with living in a University town. I love Gavyn's doctor, I love my parents group, and I love that I know so many of the local farmers. There is one rather big problem though. We have no family within a 2.5 hour radius of us. Yes, this is a problem for me. I grew up having Sunday dinner with my Grandparents and Aunt and Uncle that lived in the next town over. While I never had a big family, we were generally able to see them whenever we wanted to. So now my family is in the Chicago suburbs, John's family is in Missouri, my brother in Colorado, and I have so many friends dispersed over the US and the WORLD that I can't even count. Sure, we have some friends here, but they aren't Sunday dinner friends.
We spent the majority of the past week in Colorado visiting my brother and the mountains. My brother is talking about coming back to the Midwest in the next few years. That would be great, except he wants to head Northward, such as Wisconsin. This is still better than Colorado, though. However, what if we decide to move out West? Then will we be the outcasts? I want my children to know their family. To feel loved by more than just their parents in a physical way. So how do we chose our final destination? Should we just go where we please and let others come to us? Or do we try to find a place as close as we can to everybody, close to an airport, and buy an extremely fuel-efficient car? Hopefully the answer will unfold itself over time.
We had a stellar time in Colorado. It was so good to see some friends that we haven't seen in a couple years. Gavyn got to meet some very important people in our lives, even though they live far away. We also got a break from the heat in Estes Park, where we relaxed by the rolling river and got to enjoy some time in the Mountains. Since pictures are worth a thousand words...here they are without further delay.
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| Watching our plane come in at Ohare Airport |
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| Forget the toys, I'll take this box |
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| Can you catch a turkey with a flyswatter? Turns out the answer is no. |
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| Getting the pig all ready to go in the ground |
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| There is always a good audience |
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| Gavyn did a lot of throwing rocks in water the past few days. He has perfected his throw quite a bit. |
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| Red cheeks...it was hot! |
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| Having some dinner with Nana. |
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| Uncle Ryan showing Gavyn a turkey |
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| Nice turkey |
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| Early mornin' on the farm |
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| Piggies! |
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| Putting some rocks and sticks in a beer bottle |
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| John, Ryan in the background Pablo, and Tom....I love all these men so much. |
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| Hanging out with Sara |
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| Pulling the pig! |
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| You have to work for your meals |
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| They are ready to dig in! |
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| Mmmmm |
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| Sara and Mike |
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| Ma washing dishes, as usual |
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| Getting some cuddles after nap |
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| In Estes Park and playing in a sprinkler! |
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| Hi! |
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| Joe and Ma |
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| Our little cabin at Castle Mountain Lodge |
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| Me and my boy |
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| The river (where's Gavyn?) |
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| Nana with Gavyn |
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| Hydrating |
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| There is some significance to this peak....John knows ;) |
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| Can't resist water |
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| Luckily, everybody thought he was just the cutest thing. |
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| Taking a break from shopping in Estes Park |
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| Playing in the water and finding rocks |
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| On a windy mountain :) |
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| Gavyn's "high chair" |
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| More rocks |
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| Playing with Dada in the river |
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| My blue-eyed boy |
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| Poor kid fell on his hands. He is still cute when he cries. |
