The Eclipse

On August 21 we took a little road trip to Fort Laramie, Wyoming to watch the solar eclipse.

The morning started out early (6am) as we had to "tear down" camp and get on the road.  The kids were less than thrilled to get up early, but in the end they all agreed it was totally worth it.

As we hit the road, there was a little napping, lots of music and even some learning.  We headed north  from the campground and the traffic was moving and light.  Our first stop was for a little caffeine and gas.  Our next stop was once we got to Fort Laramie.  We were greeted with smiles as we pulled in.  We unloaded our cooler, blankets, the stroller and the kids.  We found a nice shaded area and got all set-up and ready for the amazing event!

Words and pictures do not do the solar eclipse justice, but here are some pictures that I did take.

The beginning...

Sweet Caroline hanging out and enjoying the shade.

Exploring Fort Laramie

It continues...

Checking out the eclipse

A rare picture with mom!

Still hanging out and enjoying the shade!

So close to complete!

IT'S COMPLETE!

What an amazing sight.

The weather changed - it cooled off,

the wind stopped and there was a weird "calm" around us.  

The total eclipse was over just 2 minutes, but it 

felt more like 30 seconds!  

The horizon during the total eclipse

One of the planets we could see.

And, it's over...

 The ground during the eclipse.

And it all tuckered Sweet Caroline out!

What an amazing experience this way!  Brian is already thinking ahead to 2024 when the next solar eclipse will be passing over the US. The kids are onboard and are looking forward to it too.  

If you have the opportunity to see a solar eclipse, GO.  Don't walk, RUN - well, actually drive.  

Until the next eclipse I will enjoy the memories and the pictures.  

Now, go out and make your own memories!

This thing called life!

Life.  It happens.  It has been almost 22 months since I have blogged.  In those 22 months a LOT has changed.  We've moved, twice.  The kids have grown, tall.  Brian got a new job, it took us to the mountain area of Colorado.  I know more has changed, but these are the first things that come to mind.

The move happened about 2 months ago.  And, it happened quick!  The change has been good, we are all adjusting.  In a nutshell, here is how it all happened in a month: Brian flew to the Denver area for a job interview in mid-July and was here for 3 days.  He got home on Thursday (with a job offer, but no specifics), on Friday we prepped for a weekend in the Hills with his sister and her kids.  We spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday driving to the Hills, a whirlwind tour of the Hills and back to Sioux Falls.  On Tuesday we did laundry and re-packed clothes, re-packed the van and got a little sleep.  On Wednesday, we took off for Baton Rouge to visit my sister and her family.  About 1/2 hour into the trip we realized we needed to go thru Denver to look at houses, so a slight turn and we were on our way to Denver.  We got into Denver late Wednesday night, got up Thursday morning walked thru some houses and we were on our way, once again to Baton Rouge.  We drove straight thru to Baton Rouge.  The kids were TROOPERS!!  Total car time from Sioux Falls to Denver to Baton Rouge - around 28 hours!!  We spent a week with my sister and her family.  We had a blast, we did a lot of planning for the move.  We arrived home late Friday night from our trip, Saturday was spent at the ball diamonds for the tournament, we didn't win, but it was fun.  The next week we spent packing the house (a ton of thanks to my mom and dad for all their help) and then we loaded the truck up mid-week the next week (thanks to everyone who helped with that HUGE job).  On Thursday we said our good-byes and we were off on the new adventure to Longmont, CO.  We stopped in North Platte on Thursday night and finished the drive on Friday.  Saturday morning we had guys here to unload the truck and we officially moved into our new house!  So there it is, maybe not so much in a nutshell. 

Since our move here we have been busy unpacking, going up to the mountains and meeting new friends.  We've had visitors, our parents, and can't wait for more.  Will you be our next visitors?!?!  We'd love to see you.

So, here are some highlights of what has been happening, in no particular order for some odd reason.  Enjoy. 

The ride to Denver - the 1st time 

Sisterly love!

Celebration UMC softball team  

Goodbye Providence Lane 

 Hello Blue Mountain Circle

 Fun in the Hills over Labor Day with Grammy & Papa

 Erin, Miles, Maggie and Meara at Mount Rushmore with us.

 Mason catching

 Catching frogs

 Protecting their ears at the "gun range"

We took Grandma Kay to Alluvial Fan in RMNP 

 The Aspen changing colors

I hope you enjoyed the pictures.  I can tell you the mountains are a gift from Heaven and the time we spend there have brought us closer and helped us to connect with each other, God and nature.