Not in Kansas Anymore

Looking at my last post, I guess I was just so happy to get that project done that I was done with everything else too! Well, and I was enjoying a nice vacation with my family in Kansas. :)

The first two weeks in November, I enjoyed a delicious visit with my sister in Wichita and my parents, Teddy, and John in Ellsworth. Spending time with them helped me get excited about being a 'mom' (yikes...) as well as just appreciate all the fun and funny things that moms, dads, brothers, and sisters do. Here are some highlights of my trip:

• Mom and I got to finish a new white pregnant temple dress for me, so I wouldn't have to keep squeezing my ever-growing belly into that teeny, tiny dress. I just hope I can squeeze back into it later....
• Dad took me to an auction for the first time. Boy, those guys must go through some kind of auctioneer training because that "heybidaherebidaheybidadoIhear400?steprightuphereandbidletsseeabidfor400,375?DoIhear375?Whatabout350,Ihave350doIhear375,375,375,have350,whatabout375,375!doIhear400bidaherebidanicealmostnewitem,400?400!?!Ihave375! Going once! Twice! Sold for 375!".... it's just gotta take talent to talk that fast!
• John's Boy Scout Eagle project helped us all get outside and use our muscles to beautify the landscaping of a chapel building. A lot of people came to help and the work is still going. Anyone in the Salina area on Wednesday nights or Saturday mornings should pop on over there and lend a hand :)
• Teddy's evening walks around Ellsworth were really nice. I like that you can get around and be pretty much anywhere you want to in small towns. Don't even need ta take yer car!
• Sarge and Sally, my family's new puppies are just so so cute! Animals have a way of making you feel special and important since they're always ready to play and are just so happy to see you!
• If you're a betting guy or gal, put your money on Molly. She and I had fun playing air hockey and pool at a local pool hall. And if you're looking for a fun family activity, find a local arcade or pool hall in your area and take the kids! The pool hall we went to didn't allow vulgar language, smoking, or drinking. Their only crime was the loud country music on the hi-fi.
• Mom and I had fun picking out colors for their living room and dining room. Ellen had done a great job working with Mom on the beautiful colors in the parents' room. Looking at all the pictures and seeing the fun things Mom had planned made me look forward to the time in the fairly far off distant future when Nils and I will settle down and buy a place of our own.
• Skype with Toby's family in Australia! Sorry that Toby wasn't there, but I had fun catching up with Sharole, and seeing how much my niece and nephews have grown! Can't wait to hop on a plane and give them real hugs and kisses!
• Finishing up the quilt Ellen made for my high school graduation. Thanks Ellen! It's still as beautiful as ever and it's on my bed now!
• The little things.... a scrabble game with Dad, Settler's game with everyone, chitting and chatting til I can't think of anything else to talk about (which never happens, so eventually you have to finally just say 'good nite' and go to bed), laughing, catching up with John and remembering being in high school, learning all kinds of things about the Civil Air Patrol from Teddy, getting ideas from Mom, getting into a deep linguistics discussion with Molly, getting beat by Molly (again) at air hockey, the marriage advice from Dad, the health advice from Mom.....
• There's no place like home!

Thanks family for such a wonderful vacation! And I didn't even have to wait for an official holiday to come visit!!