Little Family in the Big City: A Long, Adventurous Journey

Sorry for the long absence on the blog as of late. The last two weeks have involved one exam in my Cell Biology class on the aerobic respiration of cells and DNA replication, two quizzes, two labs, two days of driving in the car, two and a half whirlwind fun days with Grampa Bix in Bozeman, MT, two more days of driving home, and three more days of single parenting while Jason was away helping at RYM (the Presbyterian youth camp in the area). So- it has been fun, full, AND busy. The girls and I left Portland on a Thursday and drove six hours to Spokane, WA which reminded me a lot of a NW version of Chattanooga. The next day we hit the road again to drive through Idaho and Montana to reach Dad's house in Bozeman. Our stay was full, and both girls agree that their favorite part was roasting marshmallows by the fire pit and visiting the Museum of the Rockies to see dinosaurs (who knew there were dinosaurs in Montana???). Dads' legs are healing up, and he is in quite a different spot from my visit in March. The girls did great in the car with the help of Tom& Jerry and the traveling DVD player. Traveling that far, doing potty stops, and navigating hotels by myself was definitely an adventure. Little things like making a quick potty stop on the road means everyone has to unload and file into the gas station or leave dinner behind on the table while everyone goes to the batheroom. And, when Eleanor wet the bed in the hotel room all three of us were nice and cozy in one bed.

Things I learned on the road- snacks are great, movies even better, and hotel swimming pools are God's great gift to traveling parents.

Downtown Spokane, WA on the riverfront park (1/2 way to Bozeman!). Spokane is this lush, cute city that pops up like an oasis after hours of driving through what felt like the desert of Eastern Washington (where the only signs were signs that read "Next services 91 miles"...geez)