Bliss

Few things make me happier than checking out a whole pile of travel books from the library and digging in!  Especially if I get to actually put them to use...

Exam results came out in January, and I immediately went into planning mode!

The plans changed slightly after the library visit, so I haven't made it to all of those places.... yet :)

Good-Byes Conclude

One last Skype session with Kyle and Kalynn before Kam heads south.  First some old slides, and then some plain old chatting... with a decent amount of laughter thrown in for good measure.

See the laptop set up for Kyle and Kalynn to get in on the slide-viewing party?

Savor that clear connection, guys... you'll miss it someday soon!

Only good-bye for now, of course.  We'll be there to visit before you know it :)

And the Good-Byes Begin

Turns out Kammy is going to Ecuador to stay for a while.  How much can she fit in her suitcase without being charged for trying to ship something the size of a small elephant?  Only one way to find out.

Out with the Old, In with the New

No, we've (finally) moved on from New Year's posts.  This is a tale of 2 cars.  No, scratch that... it's a tale of 3 cars.

Right before the New Year, my not-so-trusty car started being even more not-so-trusty.  While down at Mom and Dad's, I decided not to make a trip back home with a car that smelled strongly of burning rubber, so Mom and Dad graciously offered to let me take their car for a few days while Dad even more graciously offered to go car shopping for me while I was at home working for a few days.  Umm, yes please!!!  Who's going to turn down that offer?  Not me.

Good-bye, Stella.  It's been nice, but this is what happens when you smell bad.  Let that be a lesson to you.

I ended up with a car which I purchased without ever actually driving it first (though I had test driven the same model only a couple of weeks before).  Dad did all of the wheeling and dealing and I went and picked it up.  How's that for awesome? 

But know what's less awesome?  Someone rear ending you less than 3 weeks after you purchase your first-ever brand new car.  (Okay, I promise it was new.  It's just that it takes less than 3 weeks for a car to look like an absolute mess in the middle of an IL winter.)  Poor Molly had someone else's license plate prints embedded in her bumper.

So while Molly was getting touched up, they gave me a rental car.  (No, I don't name my short term cars, only my long term cars.  What do you think I am?  Crazy?)  My rental car was a Chevy Spark, and it felt like driving a toy.  I kept waiting for a policeman to pull me over and tell me to get off the road and back up on the sidewalk where I belonged.  And because I was driving a toy, of course I would be obliged to comply.

Ah, there's Molly.  Good as new again.  Welcome to the family!

Scavenging Part 2

Since Krista was sick on the day of the big group scavenger hunt, Krista and Brandon each had a team to help them complete their searches.  Who will win?

Team Brandon is victorious.  It might help that Mom was on his team, seeing as how she had a bit of a home advantage...

 While Team Krista finishes a respectable 2nd.  (You've already forgotten how many teams were competing, right?)

Wait, it's been too long since we've had a picture of Levi.  Let me fix that.  Hey cutie!!

 

He enjoys time with his Aunt Brenda

And Uncle Eldon

While his Daddy takes a break to... umm... well, who ever knows what Kevin is doing anyway?

And the Festivities Continue

Usually we ring in the New Year at the school where Mom teaches.  This year, our gathering was on the 1st instead - but no less fun.

Most of the pictures below are from running charades, a fantastic relay-style charades game.  Makes for some great laughs and some great photos!

Mom and Kam

 Let's see... how am I going to do this?

Who put these two in the same group??

Wow, this team is full of life!

Ready, set, go!

I don't think Elissa has any clue what she's guessing, but she knows how big it is!

Hey, this team has an extra person!

Uh oh, Aunt Beth - better move!

Well hello there :)

 Aww.  Not a bad job, no?

Happy New Year...

... even if it is 8 months late.

New Year's Eve was on a Wednesday night, so a few people stayed after meeting for a few games.

Mom and Sam enjoy a friendly game

Kamela was never quite sure of the rules for the game she played with Adrian.  Seemed like they were fairly fluid.

Levi and Elinor get acquainted

Nice to meet you!

Getting a little sleepy.  Are we going to make it until midnight?

Just barely.  Hey Mom, I'm ready to go home now.

 Happy New Year!