Summer break

Yes! We visited 15 states this summer.  My hubby got a temporary management position for work in Austin Texas.  It was perfect timing for our family to go on a car trip adventure.  We took 3 very full days to drive down, played all summer, spent most of it pruning in the hotel pool.  We feel very lucky for this chance to see this beautiful country and diversity in the various states we visited.  It was nice to have no responsibilities other than spending time with our family.  We stayed at a hotel and ate out....a lot.  We were all excited for home cooked meals when we got home.  The bigg est thing i enjoyed was all our attention was placed on family time- literally no distractions.  it was fabulous.

We saw:
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas,
Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, California



We also had the chance to see several National parks, which you know I love!
Bill Clintons' birth place home in Little Rock AR, LBJ Ranch in Johnson City, Harry S. Truman home in Independence Mo.  George Washington Carver Natl park MO, Petrified forest National AZ, White Sands NM, Grand Canyon South Rim, Redwood Natl park CA, San Antonio Missions TX.  Our Annual Pass more than paid for itself this year.  This is the boys getting their Junior Ranger badges at George Washington Carver National park.

I absolutely love visiting historic sites and so I thought a trip to the Texas State Capitol would be in order.  It was no real surprise in our two months in the state how many times we heard about the massive size of the building.  Yes, everything is bigger in Texas.  All the chandeliers spell Texas with light bulbs.  You have to appreciate their pride in their state.  

The kids thought the elevators were so fancy because they were made of "gold"

We were invited to an LDS pioneer day celebration that would put most town festivals to shame.  They had a petting zoo, face painting, a DJ, dancing, bounce houses, yard games, crafts, food,  and FIREWORKS in the evening.  All I could say is wow.  

San Antonio Missions are Beautiful!  

Natural bridge Caverns

hunting for gems

What? Ice Skating? Marsh was the biggest fan.

Hamilton pool:  Texas style swimming hole.  Translation: water = EWWW but it was a really cool place.