Tuesday, August 5, 2008

The Afore-mentioned Pictures

We started off driving to Nebraska where we stayed with good friends Kara and Brad and their son, Braden. Unfortunately, it was a very QUICK trip--but really good to catch up with them. I don't have a single picture...

We left from there and drove through South Dakota, North Dakota and then Saskatchewan to see my grandparents in Saskatoon. The highlights of this portion included: stopping 3 times within 30 minutes shortly after leaving Thursday morning--between bathroom breaks, coffee at McDonald's (f0r Kendall!) and Ollie's dirty diaper--we wondered if we'd ever get going! We camped that evening in North Dakota. Camping was another adventure--as fun as it was, and beautiful weather--Ollie decided not to go to sleep until it was pitch black. That doesn't happen there until 10:30pm. So he stood in his pack 'n play the whole time. Joel and I fell in and out of sleep as we waited. Of course-- the flip side is Ollie's awake as soon as the sun is up--around 6:15. You can understand why we only attempted camping once this trip...

We had a super time with my grandparents in Canada. Joel was again amazed and somewhat disturbed that Canadians really do say "eh" that much. He has a lot to learn...We saw my aunt Lorraine and Uncle Ted, and their daughter, Nicole and husband, David. Their two kids were there, as well as my cousin Max. Ollie had a fun time following Max around saying "hi", but I don't think Max was too amused. After 3 days in Canada, we continued on.

We drove two more days to Ellsworth, Wisconsin, the Cheese Curd capital of the World. This also happens to be where my grandparents live. We hung out with them for a couple days--and also saw two more of my aunts, 3 cousins, and a second cousin. Here are some pictures of our walk to the park one evening:
We left Thursday morning from Wisconsin and drove to Joel's parents house in Indiana. This is where we left Ollie for 5 days while we gallivanted around New York City. I'll post pictures of that on a separate post...later. I also have some pics of us camping and memories from Canada--but can't locate them...so I'll maybe add those on, too.

6 comments:

Courtney e said...

Is that the park by G&G's where we saw a chalk outline of a body once?

Fun pictures by the way! Can't wait to see more!!

Chelsie said...

You can't locate the pictures or the memories?

Chelsie said...

Oh...and glad you're back! :)

Unknown said...

A stop in North Dakota and no phone call??????? Our house gets pitch black way before nature does. Next time reserve rooms at our place instead. Our rates are comparable and if you want the camping effect you can sleep in the yard and let Ollie sleep inside!!!!

Kendall Smith said...

Nikki--
You know, we actually drove RIGHT BY your town I think...but we figured it'd be too late to call at 8:30!!! :-)

Denita Dyck said...

ha. I am sure Max loved it... in his own Maxish way. Email me pictures of your trip!