Since Then...

I haven't had really too much to write about, although we did set up camp in another state! On Saturday night Joli and I went to Aunt Karen's to finally see my cousin Ashley's little girl, Lily. She's ten months old and it's the first time I've gotten to see her. Isn't she so cute!! She's also got so much hair!
On Sunday we spent the day driving around and trying to see everyone one last time before we headed to my Cousin Cassidy's house to stay for the night. Then we woke up Monday morning and headed back down the road.

We made it to the in-laws Monday evening and were thrilled to be out of the car. Joli was excited to have another tree to get into. On Tuesday Joli got to wear her new outfit that Auntie Kyla bought for her.

I also discovered that aside from it looking cute to put all the oranges in the tree, it was also very functional to keep the oranges of out reach!

Today we headed over to the chinese restaraunt to split some lunch. Joli was finally old enough to wan to try out using chopsticks. She didn't do too bad.

Here she is actually figuring out how to use them.

It's been a lovely few days and now were going to get ourselves ready for a nice New Year's Eve.

Down Time

We've been so busy the past few days that we decided to just hang out at Grandma's and have a relaxing day. Unfortunately that meant no internet access and no phone service. Oooops! Kota didn't mind all that much though.
Joli was just happy to play in the snow.

I took this picture not only for Kota but to have a nice picture of Grandma's house.

We went back in after awhile and played a little. Joli was all about making music for Grandma.

One of Joli's favorite things at Grandma's are these singing snowmen.

It was a nice relaxing day!

Christmas Day Part Two

We made it over to my Dad and Lori's house, and Joli was pleased that there were even more presents! This is a little medical kit.
She had fun playing with Auntie Holly.

Then she got a really cool toy that will go great with her new keyboard and microphone!

She was all about being a rock star and even had a great ending!

She ignored her Papa Paul as much as she could but she did let it slip that she loves him on the way back to Grandma Betty's.

It was a good Christmas, but not the same without Joe.

Christmas Day Part One

We woke up this morning and opened our presents from Santa. I put Joli's blocks together that Santa brought her and then she began testing them out.
Once I got her all dressed for the day she went back to playing with her new toys including a Santa Potato Head.

After making a stop to see the newest twin babies in the family, we made our way to Aunt Karen's where cousin Eli had a wonderful new Army set. Joli loved it!

I'm so happy to see my little girl playing with boy toys!!!

Much to Eli's dismay, Joli was very interesting in everything he was doing.

Joli got to open another present from our family and it she was very excited!

Her and Joseph both thought this was the coolest toy ever. I think it's made for adults but the kids loved it!

We tried to get a few pictures of the Joseph and Joli together but this was the best we could come up with.

Look I'm in a picture!!

That was the first part of our Christmas then we headed over to my dad's...

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent at Grandma Betty's. Here is some of my family relaxing after a good dinner.
Here is Joli playing with Grandma Lori.

I got a candle for Christmas and Joli got pajama's. Of course she wanted my candle and played with the lid all night.

Cousin Josh got a football for Christmas and that ended up being the popular toy. Joli enjoyed being the only small child there and the center of attention.

Grandma Betty's

Since I am once again sitting in a parking lot and "borrowing" internet I will be quick. We made it to Grandma Betty's last night and Joli immediately found Grandma's stash of toys. It didn't take long for her to climb in it.
This morning I had to put Grandma's dog in the garage so I could let Kota run around a bit. They got off to a pretty bad start and we're pretty sure they are not going to get along. But Kota absolutely loved Grandma's giant field!

Joli wasn't quite as sure. She enjoyed the snow, but the walking through it just wasn't as fun.

What A Fun Day!!

I learned three things today. The first thing is that people who feel the need to hang out in the left lane without purpose should be ran off the road. Seriously people! It's called "The passing lane", not the "I want to hang out and be cool even though I'm driving twenty miles slower than every one else lane". So next time you're just chillin' in the left lane MOVE OVER!!

The second thing I learned today was (according to Joli) the meaning of Christmas is presents and snow! Sounds good to me! And the one last thing I learned was that Kota absolutely hates the rear windsheild wiper! But it's so funny watching him trying to bite it through the window!!!

So I won't say too much as I am currently borrowing the internet from a hotel on the side of the freeway, but we did make it through the snow and are almost to my grandma's!! I woke Joli up a little later this morning, but she was so cute sleeping!
We went and got gas and I was totally in awe at the sign on the pump. Duh!!

Then we started driving. Look how pretty!!

We made it into Oregon! (No one say anything about taking pictures while driving! I did it. It's over. It's done with. We lived.)

Then we got to the Lodge where Joe and I got married almost five years ago!! It was so exciting as it burned down a few summers ago and this was the first time we've been there since it's been rebuilt! It looks exactly the same. Apparently there are more rooms, but that didn't matter to me.

Joli and I enjoyed a nice lunch.

We sat next to the deck where our wedding reception was. Looks a little different right now!

But the inside is just the same!

Joli loved our waiter! He gave her hot cocoa!

Doesn't the stairs look so pretty with all the stockings!?!

Joli was mostly thrilled about the snow!

Kota may have like it more though. I don't think I've ever seen him so bouncy and happy! And since he's the bounciest, happiest dog ever, that's a lot!

Eventually Joli got a little snow in her eye and that was the end of the snow fun.

Here is the lone picture I got of myself. Oh well.

Another Journey Complete!

Today Joli, Kota and I tackled the longest part of the journey. I was woken up by a very impatient husband at 2:30am, and was unable to go back to sleep. So I took advantage of the situation and got in the shower and everyone packed up and on the road shortly after 4:30am. It was pouring down rain through the highest point of the drive and I was slightly nervous that it might turn into snow. Luckily we made it down the mountain and to a Starbucks and all was well! I was also able to finally get an amazing picture of myself...
Hahaha! After several hours of driving we came to a stop that had a small park area with a little parking lot. Since there was no one there but us, it was perfect for letting my two children run around.

I brought Kota's chain to use at my grandma's and was thrilled to see it hooked to the back of the car.

Both Kota and Joli thought all the puddles were awesome. Kota wouldn't stop drinking them and Joli was all about jumping in them. My first instinct was to tell them no, but eventually I just decided to let them do their thing and then I changed Joli afterward.

Here Joli is figuratively and literally testing the water.

After several more hours and a small incident of food poisening we finally made it to Uncle Sam's. Joli had a great time playing with the "gumballs". A few more games and she'll be a regular pool shark.

Later in the evening Sam decided he wanted some brownies and Joli thought she should help. I heard Sam in the kitchen saying something about a sling and then came in asking me what he could use for one. I said just wrap some fabric around you. He had this brilliant idea of using a fitted sheet and amazingly it worked!

It was so cute watching Sam explain to Joli as he did everything. Of course Joli is just thrilled to have male attention, and I don't think Uncle Sam minds all that much!