Summer Tour '09

5600+ miles, 10 gatorade bottles filled with something besides gatorade, and every fast food chain possible...WE SURVIVED (barely)! We traveled through and around 6 states (NV, AZ, UT, ID, OR, WA, MT) and made memories only we could make. I took 400 pictures and have tried to condense them to a manageable amount. We really had such a good time and are grateful to my parents who put up with us living in their house for most of the time.

In my travels I decided that the national flower should be the orange cone because it comes out in full bloom every summer. You gotta love construction. At least I had air conditioning and wasn't the one stuck outside holding the sign. However on one occassion, I did slam on my brakes and remove myself from the van to stand on the side of the busy freeway because the inside of my van was too much to handle. I told the kids I wasn't driving until they shaped up. 5 minutes further down the road I slammed on the brakes again and kicked all 4 of them out. When I told them they could get back in (after lecuturing them on proper behavior), Kennedy just sat there. I slowly started to drive off and the boys said, "You can't just leave her!" I know, I know. Mother 0f the Year material (I never would've left her). Needless to say, she got back in and...they still didn't behave. This was the 10 hour drive from Washington to Idaho when I became "mental" and they did too. At least we were all in it together.

**Side note: I will be posting as I can because as of today 7/30/09, I'm still not done. Lots more to come.

The Bell's

The Bell Family welcomed us to their house coming and going. Eric was able to drive up with us so we all got to spend some quality time together. We appreciate their friendship and love!

Handcuffs! Why didn't I think of that? Bronsen's friend brought these over to try out on the twins. It wasn't long before they were asking to have them removed.

Idaho Cousins

We stayed at Jenn and Brandon's house for a couple nights and the kids were in basement heaven. Every sports game, video game, movie you could image were in their Seattle Seahawks themed basement. So nice to go places where my kids could care less where I am.

Boston found his way onto another John Deere. He was a natural driving this around. Maybe we should move to a farm? I don't think that's going to happen. We'll just settle on visiting. Thanks Jenn for letting us stay. Thanks also to Tony and Alli for going to dinner with us and entertaining us at your house.

Grandparents

Boston and Grandma Jenks (my mom) mowing the lawn together. Boston's first experience on a John Deere.

Enjoying a Schwan's ice cream with Grandpa Vard. Kennedy was so sad when she heard she had missed the Schwan man.

Hanging out with Great Grandpa and Grandma Jenks. Eric wants a pair of overalls just like these but I told him they were only for 90 year old farmers and New Kids on the Block.

Visiting with Great Grandma Quinton. They loved her spoon collection.

Independence Day

We went to the annual Basin City 4th of July parade and were pleasantly surprised. It was a legitimate parade! The kids got tons of candy, were sprayed by numerous trucks, and it even had a real float.

The real float - Connell Jr. Miss (the high school I went to)

My mom and sister Shannon

Shetland ponies

One parade entry threw ice cream bars. Mark (my sister Ashley's husband) acted like he hadn't eaten in days.

Kennedy made sure she was wearing and accessorizing red, white & blue.

I teased my sister Ashley that she looked like a red-neck pregnant version of Paris Hilton with the camo hat on backwards.

These 4 were taking cover from the spraying fire truck.

Midday we ventured to Moses Lake where my sister Jodi (and her husband Matt) live and went boating at the sand dunes. I didn't take many pictures because the camera didn't make it on the boat with me. The kids (and adults) had such a good time tubing and wrestling each other in the water. With 3 brothers and a father that wrestled, you can imagine what get-togethers are like. Everyone loves to take on the twins too. In fact, Jackson and Leighton kept telling them, "Bring it on Chucky!" They are big talkers but soon called out, "Mommy!"

Jodi and Matt live on a beautiful park where we were able to do fireworks. I kept thinking what a perfect day it had been. A parade, boating, and our own fireworks all spent with family we don't get to see very often.

One of the twins shooting off a bottle rocket. Aren't they illegal?

Hunter (almost 15) and Boston

Boston and Luke (7)

Kennedy and Jocelyn (almost 5)

Gage (almost 6) giving the camera his best pose

Hand lines & Guns

You haven't lived until you've changed hand lines. The twins joined their cousins and Uncle Brandon and Grandpa showed them the ropes. I was out along for moral support. I grew up doing this morning and night and hated every moment of it so once I left home, that was it. No more changing water for me.

And, were never had 4 people to one pipe. This was an easy line to move because the ground was dry (no water boots) and only about 10 pipes.

Jackson spent most of the time tip toeing through the pasture because he was so afraid he was going to step in a cow patty.

Kaden (9) and Jackson

Hudson (12) and Leighton

This truck load of boys are headed out in the orchard to shoot some innocent rabbits. The twins were excited when they came back to tell me they shot a "22." I thought they were using bee bee guns. I guess the important thing is that nobody got hurt (except the little bunnies).

Multiply and Replenish...

The Vard and Verdene Jenks prosterity at their best!

20 pictured + 2 soon to arrive + 1 angel = 23

Surf 'n Slide

We didn't let any grass grow underneath our feet. This day we were with Jodi (my sister) and Jenn (my sister-in-law) and their kids cooling off. The twins loved the boogie boarding and Boston turned into a fish. He fought swim lessons like no other so I was thrilled when he actually went under and loved it.