Eventful Adventures

Yes, we are back. Yes, we were gone. You mean you didnt notice?

10 days of fun, heat and hilarious mishaps on the way to Vincent's parents farm.

How could it be any other way with 3 kids under the age of 4.5 travelling with two middle aged half crazed adults?

Travels took us through Tahoe and then the great city of Reno, otherwise known as cigarette-ville (sorry to all you Reno dwellers) it’s a very pretty city Minus the casino's and hair spray.

In Tahoe, James made sure to spray sunscreen into his eye- a near hospital visit.

In Winnemucca, Nevada, after some tensions Eileen made sure to one up the kids and get her finger slammed hard by loving Vincent in the door lock, a glorious bruise and near nail loss resulted. Poor Vincent was devastated. Eileen was screaming and Joseph had some tears witnessing the whole play unfold.

We stayed the night in Winnemucca at the smokiest little casino dive. We wanted to get a 5 o’clock a.m. start but Vincent misjudged the time and packed us all up into the car at 2 a.m., only to realize after the fact that it was indeed 2 a.m. and not 5 a.m. Both of us managed to laugh it off, thinking at least our kids would sleep the long 7 hr drive to Grandma and Grandpa's. We didn’t laugh after being proved wrong on that count. Kids once woken, well, lets just say, they are not nice.

We arrived at our destination on a glorious Oregon afternoon on the farm, had an hour to ourselves before others arrived, Grandma and Grandpa first. It was great to see that Joseph remembered the farm from his last visit, but he whined a lot, asking where the snow was (his last farm visit was a year and a half ago at Christmas)

We had great adventures with family including a sky tram that scared that pants off Joseph. Nibbling chipmunks on the top of a craggy cliff were included in the ticket fee apparently.

We had Bocce ball evenings and time to watch squirrels being blown apart with 22's. Nothing like the great outdoors.

Seriously, the sound of nothing but a few wheel lines irrigating the neighboring field are enough to bring you to heaven and back, does wonders for a prayerful and reflective spirit.

We were able to have water balloon flights and very much enjoy our siblings and nieces and nephews, always a treat. A large family brings nothing but blessings and variety at every turn.

Our last day was spent enjoying the Lake with its beautiful snow capped mountains behind it. Marvelous.

Leaving Friday we made it to Boise for an overnight. Definitely becoming our favorite city to spend some R & R in. Brings whole new meaning to a big city with a small town feel.
Vincent had a wonderful meeting there; some possibilities are arising for the fall.

Had a great time visiting Angie and Don and the little boys, they are truly Q T PIES, check out their new blog.

Leaving Boise was sad for us, just wanted to stay one more day, that’s always the best way to leave a place. 1/2 hr out of Boise is the wine country, full of orchards, LOVE IT!
Drove a full day -8 hrs to Reno and stayed the night at the fabulous Peppermill, whew amazing hotel!!!

The day was so long though, I don’t know how to describe the vast lands we passed, nothing but hills and sagebrush. A few towns dotted the way with nothing but a gas station, if that,
this is definitely no mans land. Ok, its some mans land and his name is big Bill and his belt buckle is huge, he has bowed legs from riding horse and no doubt be knows hot to read his cards.
After a beautiful Mass Saturday at St. Therese's parish in Reno, we swam in one of the 3 pools in the hotel, wow, very very nice pool. The next morning we rode off into the sunset... No no
we didn’t, we drove to Sacramento where we took a 2 hour break. Train museum and old town Sac, a really great kid option! Then off the rest of the way home.

Our adventures will cease…at least for now. Check back later for updates.