DISH Network was in Idaho, not Wyoming (Day 31)

Wednesday, June 6 found us going a little nutty in the morning. The night before I had trouble sleeping due to a knee injury thing that us old people get. I think I tried to jog or something and messed it all up. Anyway, it was screaming at me, so I slept in until 10:30 ... as did the kids. So embarrassing! The DISH Network guy had been trying to call because I am Acting Ranch Manager when the Silvesters are gone ... haha! We were rushing around because we had an appointment to get new tires at 11 a.m. and had already called them to move that to 11:30. So we're going nuts and I'm on the phone with the DISH guy giving directions and it goes like an Abbott and Costello schtick:

DISH: "Okay, so I'm at exit 385 off Tremonton. How do I get to you?"

Me: "You get off at the McDonald's exit, not Harrison. Then take 150 South to 152."

DISH: "Okay, so I see a McDonald's but I'm at blah de blah by Idaho."

Me (finally, after doing this for a long time and Google Mapping it and stuff): "I don't think you are near Evanston, Wyoming, are you?"

DISH: "No, I'm in Utah, by Idaho."

Me: "Kay, that must be their other residence and you're a state away so I don't think I'll be waiting around for you and I have to go get new tires right now."

Here is us after dropping off the van for slick new Defender tires for like a zillion dollars (including rebate). I had to get a pic of us walking down the road, people looking at us like we were headed to a homeless shelter.

We hit the Mexican place (Bear River Cafe, yeah, a really Mexican name, I know) for some awesome corn tortilla tacos and some Choco Tacos. Then we walked across the street to Hamblin Park.

Sammy with his taco under a pine tree.

All My Children.

After we peeled out of the tire place, burning lots o' rubber (just kidding, Aron!), we went to get gas, get some RedBox movies since the DISH guy was not coming and we can't exist without entertainment (especially while I'm trying to pack and clean!), then WalMart for some road snacks, Alleve and Icy Hot balm. Why didn't anyone tell me how much Alleve rocked? That coupled with the tons of sleep I got the night before fixed my knee right up.

Came back to the ranch to do the think I should give lessons on: cleaning out the van and packing it up. I'm getting good at it. I went to the stables to cry over missing the kittens :-( Around 7 we were all packed and STILL waiting to hear from Aron because we had to meet him in town to drive to Salt Lake City to return the rental car (a 3-hour round trip). Turns out his boss is giving him more crap and said he did not know we were leaving tomorrow, even though I saw it with my own eyes in a freaking email that he RESPONDED to. Grrrrrr. They talk my man up like "hey, dude, you are the head man in charge and you have to act like you LOVE this project and you OWN this project, but oh, yeah, we won't listen to you when you say there's no reason for you to be there right not. oh, and, you still can't go to scout camp so figure it out."

So we are here another 2 days. No big deal for me, a mild annoyance, but I was pretty pissed when Michael lost it and was crying about wanting to go home and Joel was asking for BossMan's phone number and we almost drove to the Diamond X ranch to kick some Texas client buttocks. So I did what any lady would do: I bitched about it on Facebook. It's what to do when you feel otherwise helpless because your network of pals will come through and tell you what you have to be thankful for and that you need to stop griping and just be happy.

The day ended with another gorgeous sunset.

If you missed any installments of the Real World: Wyoming series, head to the right-hand side of this here blog, look for Categories, then click on Wyoming. And if you aren't following The Kerrie Show on Facebook, you are missing out on some cool stuff every now and then!

Wyoming Sky Makes Me Cry (Day 30)

Tuesday, June 5 found us doing only a few things:

Callie does her IXL.com math while holding her kitten. We call this kitten Piss because she is kinda pissy, and she and Callie get along well. They understand each other.

Later we went into town at the request of Sam, who fell asleep on the way. So I let him take a little nap and the kids played at the Bear River Gateway pond thingy.

McDonald's in Evanston, WY off I-80 ... Sam sits in a cool chair with  his food on a cool tray.

Don't tell the managers of Kingfisher Bend Ranch, but when they went out of town overnight I let the kids bring the kittens in for a bit .... they all hung on the chair, nobody peed or pooped and we washed the blanket!

We will miss this like crazy, our view from the back porch.

We are slated to leave on Thursday morning even though Aron's boss refuses to acknowledge his email on the subject. Aron worked til 11, which is the norm lately (16-hour days).

If you missed any installments of the Real World: Wyoming series, head to the right-hand side of this here blog, look for Categories, then click on Wyoming. And if you aren't following The Kerrie Show on Facebook, you are missing out on some cool stuff every now and then!

Utah's Discovery Gateway Children's Museum (Day 29)

By now I'm sure you realize I was joking about yesterday's post about moving here! I loved the weekend, but as I blog this on Tuesday, the weather went from the 60s to the 30s in no time flat. At least at home the weather is a nice consistent 85 and humid all spring and 95 all summer. Sheesh, is there no in between? I'm thinking of becoming one of those bicoastal gals or something like that. Anyway ...

Today (Monday) we went to Salt Lake City, Utah's Discovery Gateway Children's Museum. Now I will bombard you with photos from the day.

The main entrance.

The cool ball area ... suction dealy jobs move the balls through the tubes.

A pic of much of the little kid area on the 2nd floor.

I love that my boys still can play with little kid stuff, like in the building area.

Construction dude Sam.

Eva dug the grocery store.

And the little living room.

Had to go to the parking garage for lunch and Sam was not happy, even though I spent a fortune at the gift shop on the way out.

Michael likes the challenge of the magnetic tubes and balls.

Could not get Sam away from this tornado thing. You put paper in and it swirls around and comes out the top.

Callie is a weather girl.

Life Flight!

The girls making their retired mailman Poppy proud!

If I slack the next few days it's because we are PACKING and holding kittens and cleaning and laundering and getting new tires and waiting for the DISH Network guy and who knows what else?!

If you missed any installments of the Real World: Wyoming series, head to the right-hand side of this here blog, look for Categories, then click on Wyoming. And if you aren't following The Kerrie Show on Facebook, you are missing out on some cool stuff every now and then!

Not Coming Home From Wyoming; Moving Here

I forgot to mention that yesterday on the way to church Aron had EIGHT voice mails. The plant was having problems and he's the go-to guy with sporadic phone reception. By the time he called them back it was all fine. See how emergencies turn out fine when someone just steps up and figures it out themselves?

Sunday (Day 28) rocked beyond belief, just like any other day Aron has off. I wonder if the days off would be as sweet if we had them every single day? Probably not.

Sunday started with some milk drunken through these flavored straw thingies. The simple things thrill my kids!

Then they split open a coconut we got at the store and had some coconut milk.

I love me a man who mops. I'm a HORRIFIC housekeeper, so thankfully Aron's mama taught him about cleaning, and he actually doesn't mind it. If he could nurse, he might have been the stay-at-home parent. I would have come home to duck a l'orange and a sparkling home every night!

Michael petting a dog. Proof for my family.

Me RELAXING with a sleeping kitten. Shocker. Also, Rosie gave us some fresh-baked bread and since her husband is called Ned and he brought it over, Sam called it Ned Bread.

Later we sent Aron and Joel down the river for an hour-long kayak ride they will remember forever.

After, they had some rock-throwing fun trying to make huge splashes in the river.

You gotta love the country. I never let Aron do this in town, but on country roads it is no big deal ... just go slow. I got to drive Ned the manager's truck.

As the sun started to set, after spaghetti and meatballs dinner, we headed to the fire pit to light a fire and do s'mores with our new homeschooling friends. Sam nursed to sleep and we walked back to our room in the bright moonlight.

A rare photo of me and my awesome man, taken by 4-year-old Eva! We've been together almost 17 years, and we still dig each other.

Oh, yeah, 1 sleeping baby and 4 kids ready to pray and go to bed. This is how we sleep every night. Just kidding!

I have to put on a pic of the star of the day: the water tanks. They are housed in our house and keep shutting off ... bad pump or dry well? We sat and held the dealy bob so the psi would go high enough for our friends to get through a shower. Earlier I got half a shower, had to mess with the pressure while half-nekkid, then got the other half of my shower. The washer and dishwasher like to stop halfway through a load. Grrrr.

Don't forget to check out Saturday's post, as well, just below this one! It was a great weekend!

I would like to give a shout-out to Nathan, who is an avid blog follower. We love you and your siblings and your mama! Can't wait to get home and hug you all until you squeal.

If you missed any installments of the Real World: Wyoming series, head to the right-hand side of this here blog, look for Categories, then click on Wyoming. And if you aren't following The Kerrie Show on Facebook, you are missing out on some cool stuff every now and then!

Day 27 in Wyoming = No Water, No Dishes to Do!

Saturday, June 2 = Day 27 of Wyoming travel (I count the 2 days on the road, folks). Still on location. It's not really vacation (well, kinda, but with the rare appearance by my husband), so I say we're on location.

The ranch is having water pump/well issues so we never know when we'll have working water.  So the dishes piled up. Oh, well. We can always buy paper plates and cups, right?

This is Aron on a phone call with the plant. Even when he is off work he is always on call and always gets some sort of work call on days off. At least he had a cute little girl and a kitty close by for support.

Sometimes babies just like to hide in fridges.

Michael is getting used to the animals here. Time to buy a ranch?

Callie leading Rapid Fire to the arena for some riding practice.

Joel leading Boomerang to the arena.

Sam leading his horsie. You can't see it, but he has only one shoe on. It's how he rolls.

All the kids got to ride but Michael, who was not interested.

There go Joel, Aron and Callie with the manager, Ned Silvester, on a trail ride!

So I got to hang out with my 3 other kidlets. This is the gorgeous walk to the beach.

A little stream and bridge on the way to the beach.

After church we went back to TC's Steakhouse (find them on Facebook!). Because I did a review of them, they gave us free desserts plus Andrew gave me a rosemary lemonade (I had ordered the minted lemonade and loved it, so he gave me a rosemary one also!) The Kindlers are good people.

Later we made a trip to the RiverWalk, where we once again found the little hideaway spot where the kids can cross the river. Here they are gathering rocks to throw back at their dad, who was splashing them with thrown rocks.

If you missed any installments of the Real World: Wyoming series, head to the right-hand side of this here blog, look for Categories, then click on Wyoming. And if you aren't following The Kerrie Show on Facebook, you are missing out on some cool stuff every now and then!