Home on the Range

The past month has been packed so full of fun events and happenings that I have been running to keep up (literally and figuratively)!
On Feb. 26th Dad & Mom left the snow and winter in Utah and came to visit and enjoy some sunshine and milder weather. Amy and Isabelle came over to join in the celebration of Dad's 77th birthday on the 27th. We went to Carl's for some yummy Texas BBQ, and had a great time trying to defeat Mom at cards, playing 3-14 and Golf every evening! Mom, and Alex & Amy, also helped me finish a quilt for Max's new full-sized bed.



Dad & Mom flew back home on Tuesday, and the next afternoon we headed the car in the direction of Ohio. We drove as far as Little Rock before stopping for the night, then left early the next morning for the drive through Tennessee and Kentucky. We decided to detour from the interstate at Memphis, and although it probably added an hour to the trip, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the Kentucky Parkway to Louisville. It was after dark before we arrived in Springboro, so Chris and Max met us at the road waving flashlights to signal the turn to their new home! What an extra special experience for us to share the first night in their new home with Chris & Colleen and Max. Plus...it was Colleen's birthday so we got to deliver our gifts in person! We had a great time Friday and Saturday helping move things from the garage into the house, and by Saturday evening Lee and Chris had the garage completely in order, and even power washed the garage floor! Sunday morning Max took us to enjoy one of his favorite breakfasts at Bob Evans, then we were on the road again headed south.



We decided that we wanted to see some new parts of the country, so we drove south through Kentucky and Tennessee to Birmingham, Alabama before turning west. Then, through Alabama to Meridian, Mississippi before stopping for the night. Monday we continued west through Mississippi to Shreveport, Louisiana, then southwest to home. It was a quick trip, but a beautiful ride through eight states -- and we loved it! As we pulled into our driveway we were talking about how grateful we were for "Norvin" (our 2002 Buick Century), which has been such a great car, and had made another worry-free road trip, averaging 33 mpg, now with over 118,000 miles. I pushed the button to raise the garage door and was speechless to see a beautiful new car, complete with a big red bow, parked in Norvin's spot! Sneaky Lee had pulled off a complete and wonderful surprise for me! So, now "Sally" is in the garage and Norvin is for sale...

The next weekend, March 14th, Alex & Nicholas and I participated in the Seabrook Lucky Trail Half-Marathon down at the coast. It was a beautiful 13.1-mile trail run that wound through the woods, along the ocean, over the bayou, and even through a butterfly garden. Ben & Amy and Isabelle came over to join Lee in cheering us on to the finish line. I was excited to be able to keep up with Nick & Alex, and was even awarded the 3rd-place plaque for my age category (one of those rare occasions when it pays to be "older")!