And Just Like That, She Was Gone

So if you have read the previous posts you know that we just made a trip back to Spokane and in the process we hit a little.....snag. But, with us being us, we were determined to not let it ruin our trip! We are home now and looking back we can honestly say that we were successful. Granted it was not fun to have to think about the car and how we were going to get home almost every day but luckily we have great friends and family to keep our minds occupied.
Anyway, so last you left our heroes, they were stranded in Spokane with a crumpled up car that saved them from the clutches of the evil deer warlord. We were able to acquire a rental van to cart us and our gear (2 bikes, chariot, dog, baby & more)around. Let me tell you we were seriously considering buying a mini-van to replace the Forester! That thing was sweet! We moved all our stuff with ease and during the week, multiple families were able to pile in one car to get to places rather than drive separately. It was nice. Anyway, we spent a couple days out in the Village with the Parentals. We hit the pool with Ethan and Rileigh and got to witness their swimming skills first hand. Quite impressive. Cannot believe they are growing up so fast! We also blew up the bounce house for the royal rumble. Kinda surprised there were no injuries with that.
We then trekked into Spokane to stay with Kevin, Liz and Owen and lessen the driving burden on Pres as all of Sean's events were in town. He did 2 swimming events, 2 slalom events and a hand-cycle race and we were able to see them all. It still amazes me how well Sean can move in water. I still look like a thrashing child next to him. The last blog had some great video links and you can also catch all his events on xable.com if you want to check them out. I recommend at least watching the Super-G. I'm proud to say that he finished 1st in everything but the Slalom where he took 2nd. Well done Sean!!
Outside of the games, took my new bike for a spin with Karl, Pres, Sean, Ethan, Rileigh, Kevin, Liz, Owen, Bracken, Mandi, and Rowe. We had quite a fleet out on the trail. Kevin was even able to get me back out on the mtb trails after a long hiatus. I'll have to admit that I forgot how fun it was. BTW, thanks again Kevin, for hooking me up with a sweet bike and gear! We also took a trip back into Idaho to go to the Kroc Center which is a sweet water park! Unfortunately we didn't take any pics of that so you'll just have to take our word for it. Our timing wasn't the best to hang out with everyone as much as we'd liked to but we were thrilled to at least get to see the Adkins Ladies and the ever growing Fetcho family (Congrats Matt and Jill, Kate is beautiful) and Adam x2.
Anyway, our week in Paradise came to an end WAY to fast and we had to make our way back to SoDak and face reality. We ended up having to trade out our van as Enterprise will not let you return rentals to a different state. Luckily, we were in the right place at the right time and ended up with a Subaru Outback which fit all of us perfectly (including our bikes and racks!). The drive back was not NEARLY as eventful as coming but we can live with that. We stopped just outside St. Regis Montana to lay some flowers on the side of the road. We also had a nice picnic in Missoula and gave Pres and the dog a chance to frolic. Those two were perfect the whole trip. They could have been total pains in the arse at any moment on the trip but they spared us and for that we are truly grateful. Even during the 3 hours on the side of the freeway staring at the crumpled mass that was my pretty car.
Anyway, since then, it was determined that my car was to be totaled. Kinda glad since I won't have to worry about driving a repaired car but mad that I have to go through the buying game again. We are just waiting on the insurance payout before jumping back into it. We have one weekend home and then I am off to Colorado Springs for 6 weeks for the NCO Academy. Not the best timing but at least it's not a trip overseas to the desert. Be sure to check out the pics to see our adventures. I hope everyone is doing well. Thanks to all you Spokanites and Twin Lakers for the great time. We must do it again sometime.....but for MUCH longer.
Tootles!

-Regan, Karley, and Preston the wonder-traveler!

Three First Place Finishes so far...

Doh a Deer!

We started our trip at 3ish on Friday afternoon. We ended up driving all the way to Missoula, Mt as a festival had booked all the rooms in Bozeman & Butte. We didn't get in until 2am. Although the first day was painful we were pretty excited that we only had about 3 hours left until we got to Reg's parents. An hour out of Missoula, 100 miles from Coeur D'Alene we were leaving a work zone and it had just transitioned from 1 lane to 2 lanes. We rounded a curve and at 80mph we squarely hit a large deer. We are a bit blurry on the details but once we got our wits about us the scene included: a dead deer that was about 15 feet in front of our car, the airbags deployed, we were all out of the car safely, Reg has burns on his arms from airbag, Karl has a burn for the seat belt, Pres & Coulee were confused but calm. All of us are okay. We were on the side of the road for 3 hours before a tow truck and Regan's Dad rescued us. Much to be thankful for but we are in limbo with car until rental & repair places open up Monday morning. Not clear on extent of damage, tow truck guy thinks it is possibly totaled. Poor Regan and his new car, he was so excited to show it off. For now we have the week for vacation here in Spokane/Rathdrum but getting home and getting the car back are unknowns. We will make some plans tomorrow. Sucky eh? Oh well...it will all work out.

Devil with a side of Fire

We are a lil late reporting but it had to be done as the camera needed purging. We head out to Spokavegas tomorrow...to say we are excited is an understatement!

The 4th of July holiday was a good time. The clan went to visit Devil's Tower. A neat thing to see, quite weird and unexpected. You round a corner and BOOM there it is in all it's glory, just poking out of the earth like it is supposed to be there. Arguable how is got there, 3 prevailing stories: 1- Indian kids climbed a tree which turned to stone and grew to protect them from an Indian boy that transformed into a bear and scratched the sides. 2-volcano that eroded away. 3-magma hot spots that cooled/hardened and eroded. I will believe any of the three...just impressive. The climbers that were climbing it were also impressive. Long way up with no ledges. Preston enjoyed the hike around the bottom, only about 1.5 miles and he walked 3/4 of it. He was keen on pointing out rocks..."rock!". Mother Nature greeted us with a down pour midway through but we were prepared. Then we had a picnic in the parking area drove the scenic route home. Stopped in Spearfish for grub and then called it a day.

Saturday was a lot of hanging out and then on to the Heritage Festival. That is Rapid City speak for tents in the park, fair food and a late evening of fireworks. We celebrated with the Ingles, lattes and kettle corn. Let freedom ring! A pretty good show and we couldn't have been more excited that Preston loved it. He stayed up until 1030 no problem and then "ooh, ahh, pretty" during the show.

Sunday we did the great toy edit, watched the Tour de France and most of Wimbledon. We had to pack up all the baby toys that Preston doesn't use. A little trip down memory lane and made me weepy but really that isn't too difficult.

Hope everyone had a great 4th, looking forward to the upcoming week of vacation with friends, fam and PVA games.

See most of you soon!! xoxo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH, MANDI & KAYLEE!! I will get to sing to all of you soon enough.

Go Chiefs Go!

I have lost count how many times Reg & I have compared Pres to the "section drunk". I know not nice but hear me out. You know the guy; he cheers the loudest, thinks he is hilarious, slurs his speech, does a bit of stumbling and tries the hardest to get the crowd involved in the wave or something similar.
Pres is that guy! Everything gets a celebration clap and whoop. Finish a song and "yeahhh" clap, clap. Throw a ball and "yeahhh" clap, clap. Change a diaper and "yeahh" clap, clap. Don't get me wrong having our own cheer leader works and you can't help but smile when someone applauds you throwing trash away.
The latest thing is Preston imitating us on the phone. He grabs a cell says something like "blub blub, duck quack quack, sit down daddee (laughs really loud), I love you, ba-bye". This is too funny. The forced fake laugh cracks us up, not too mention the 10 sec "phone calls". It is nice that he always says goodbye to whoever he talks to.
His vocabulary is taking off. He repeats most things we say and has gotten into 4 word sentences. He is getting there and it is fun cracking the code of Prestonese. Reg & I take turns translating.
After much practice he is now able to jump. For a while he would just throw his arms up and then hit the deck. Or raise up one leg and stomp thinking he was jumping. Now his two legs jump in unison and he is getting about an inch off of the ground. Sometimes he surprises himself when he moves forward. Running and walking are still progressing however that cruel mistress Gravity fouls him up regularly.
Finally all songs, chants, and tasks require the whole group to participate. Pres does not sing solo...he is Diana and Reg & I are the Supremes. He does most of the choreography. Needless to say we are usually entertained. He is a "fun drunk".

All is going well. Keeping on with life as usual. Actually Preston and I took a detour today as he woke up last night at midnight and got sick on his bed, our bed, his glider and us. Really took some 'diggin deep' to keep Regan and I from getting sick ourselves. We both caught ourselves gagging. Preston and I took showers and then had a slumber party on his floor. Figured our best bet was to localize clean-up. Regan was doing loads of cleaning and showering himself off. He claimed our bed and then got up a few hours later to go to PT & work. Not sure how any of us are functioning but so far so good. Preston ate and am hoping that all stays in his belly.

That's the scoop. Miss you, hoping all is well with you. Spokanites...we will see you soon!!