The trip

Well, we are home.

Over the (Mississippi) river and through Nebraska (where there are no woods) to Grandmother's house we went . . .

After packing 6 people into our vehicle and traveling 32 hours together, no one managed to kill each other - even though they tried. The seat belt law has saved lives again. They couldn't reach each other.

Overall it was a quiet trip - but not entirely uneventful.

1. Buff, "the conqueror", conquered Nebraska - in one loooong trip. We swear Nebraska gets longer every year . . . Have the people who believe the world is overpopulated and we are running out of room for everyone ever driven through Nebraska?????
There is a lot of land . . . a lot of road . . . . and no bathrooms . . .

2. Brice was very excited when he spotted a "flock of cantaloupe" (known to the rest of the world as a "herd of antelope").
No, he will never live that one down.

3. Owen was very confused when he finally got to see Grandpa's horses. "Where are their seats?"
Apparently the saddles are extra . . .

4. It is official. It is very boring when Grandma drives the four-wheeler. She goes around all the mud puddles. Seriously, what fun is four-wheeling if you aren't wearing some of the dirt when you're done?! (This complaint is from Brice).

5. It is frustrating when you can't sleep because your nose is constantly dripping. It is quite terrifying to realize that it is actually blood that is dripping . . . It is very funny when you realize it is because all four kids are sleeping on the floor and your sister just kicked you in the nose thinking you were the suitcase . . .

6. Carra single-handedly conquered at least 3 of Grandma's jars of pickles. I think she now sweats vinegar.

7. I now realize there is contradiction in our definitions.
When I say windmill, I am thinking . . . .








When the kids hear "windmill", all they know is . . . .









8. A miracle. I, Tina, the non-reader of the family, read 4 books. Do I have to admit that 2 of them were on a 5th grade reading level for school? What else was I supposed to do for 32 hours in the car - between food fights and shouting contests? (Now I know why Buff always turns me down when I ask if he wants me to drive . . . it's easier to ignore the chaos when your driving.)

9. And because no trip out of town for the Powers family would be complete without it . . .

What do you get when you combine a 9 year old boy, a trampoline and a tricycle?

Chipped front teeth . . .

Yep, we get to spend lots of time with our dentist this time - all because we wanted to get away again. . .

(Vacation history for those of you who don't know: So far we have managed an CO emergency dentist appointment - requiring a trip in the ambulance to the emergency room (Buff 2003), stitches in IL (Mikayla 2005), a broken arm in IL (Mikayla 2007), and now broken teeth in CO . . . )

Hey, at least we are consistent . . . (and now broke . . . no pun intended . . .)

(Note about the picture above: He wouldn't pose for me, so I had to trick him to get the picture. All that brown stuff on his face is from Owen and his chocolate covered marshmallow . . .)

More pictures to come . . .