Star Gazing...

In College I was able to score front row seats for a Bryan Adams Concert. I LOVE LOVE LOVED Bryan Adams! My tall friend put me on his shoulders and I found myself face to face with my idol! I started feeling weird being face to face with him, and then Bryan Adams stuck a pick in my hand and had me strum his guitar mid performance! EVERYONE at the concert could see me! I FREAKED out and started slapping my friends head saying "put me down! put me down!!" I am by no means shy, but I guess when the spotlight is big enough, I get very uncomfortable! So much so that I have learned to keep a safe distance from anyone who might have a big spotlight near them, and I tend to actually feel sorry for them versus being star struck.

Turns out, my kids are not easily star struck either, but for an entirely different reason. They seem to have a healthy understanding that famous people are just like them, only more well known. I have tried to take my kids to meet people who they enjoy. I took Melissa to meet the Jonas Brothers, and when I started taking her close to the stage, her response was.. "Mom, it's their music I like, not them." All my kids seem to share that sentiment towards famous people, 'it's their talent that I enjoy, not them'

I was so excited for David this weekend when a friend of his invited him to go to the Washington Capital's Convention. I knew David would get to meet some of his hockey idols! The summary I got from the mom about the event was about who was there and what the boys said and did with them! She got several photos of the boys with different players doing different things. David's summary was quite a bit different, He mentioned that he got to be goalie, that he got to take some slap shots, that he played hockey with his buddy, that he even got to buy a puck and a stick with his lunch money, but no where in his summary did David mention the fact that he had played 'hockey' with some of the *Caps* players! I was more excited about that than he was!

David and his teammate, Tommy, getting a picture with Alexander Semin.

Yesterday we took the boys to the caps practice rink. I think it is so cool that we can get David up so close and personal with his favorite sports stars.



Here Greg is eyeing the players...

Outside David got to meet several of the players, including the great 8, Alex Ovechkin!

David continued getting signatures of all the players on his caps sweatshirt. You can see that the players had to find space because some crazy kid had already signed his own name so big! (We also met the Caps owner, Ted Lionsis, as he was walking in. David responded to him by walking away saying "he isn't a player, I don't want his signature." Then later he commented that he at least should have met Ted Lionsis because he could have asked for a position on the Cap's roster! Oh the confidence of kids should be bottled up and sold!)

Since David love love loves the Capitals, (and HATE HATE HATES the Pittsburgh Penguins!) he gave Greg a special job yesterday...Greg had to wear the "Ovechkin" jersey and get it signed by Ovechkin. Greg was successful ! David was so pleased with his success that Greg celebrated by going up to fellow Capital Chris Borque and had him sign the Ovechkin jersey as well! David was no longer pleased with his little brother and in front of Chris Bourque he said, "Greg, I only wanted Ovechkin's name on that jersey!!" **In other News: Chris Bourque was just picked up by the Penguins. (Thats right, the only two signatures on David's beloved Ovechkin jersey are Ovechkin's, and now the much hated Pittsburgh Penguin's Chris Bourque!)(I think Greg is now on the "my little brother sucks" list)

winding down....

After leaving Salt Lake, we headed north to Idaho. We stopped for lunch in Downtown Idaho Falls, right on the river walk.

Dale and the kids getting a front row seat on the river.

Next : Rexburg, Idaho. Home of BYU Idaho (or to us Alumni, home of Rick's College)

Neither Dale or I had been back to Rexburg since we left over 15 years ago. It was fun to see the campus again!

Even though Dale and I had known each other long before attending Rick's, some of my fondest memories are tied to the time we spent together at school. We spent every day together, just talking, walking and doing mundane things. The foundation of our friendship already layed, all we had to do was fall completely in love, and we did. Each day filled with hope, faith, love, and excitement for what may lay ahead for us.

Despite the great feelings between us, I was well aware of the risks involved in loving Dale, and he was fully aware of the risks that came with me. Heartbreak was a stones through away for both of us, and we gambled that risk everyday just to be together. This awareness made the day Dale proposed to me one of the most shocking, sweet, incredible days of my life! I will never forget the details of that day, and am still in shock 15 years later! (yes, we passed the 15 year mark while on our trip in August!)

The day he proposed in Rexburg: After a long, (possibly up to 2 miles long!) scavenger hunt all over the campus,(which included going to many different buildings and finding the next prewritten note, one note even had me get a choco taco from Taco Time!) After getting the last note at his apartment which instructed me to follow the railroad tracks to a bridge, my mind raced with "what a neat way to ask me to a dance!" to "he is about to ask me to marry him!?!?!" ...as he came out from under the bridge my mind continued.."he is about to ask me to marry him!" then he didn't get on bended knee.."what a romantic way to ask me to a dance!"..."Tammy, (finally! the question!)I want to know if you will be my eternal companion?" ........I think I said yes, all I remember is embracing him so he wouldn't see the tears and mistake them for sadness! As we shared in what is clearly the most romantic, sweet, private moment of our lives, we kissed.....only to be interrupted by the loud cheers of Patrick and Shawn who were perched on top of a box car watching the whole thing unfold..(they had followed me once I was on the train tracks)...

One of the most memorable parts of our western trip for me was visiting the bridge 15 years later with all my children in tow....

Next: Yellowstone National Park

The first time I went to Yellowstone was with Dale a few months before we were married. I believe it was the first time I had ever been to a national park! I was in awe the entire time! Not only was life bringing about some exciting changes, but I was seeing some of the most exciting things that I had ever seen! As the years went by, Dale's grandmother talked often about her time working at Yellowstone during her courtship with Dale's Grandfather. They both worked at Old Faithful Inn during the 1920's....Yellowstone is not just uniquely beautiful, but it has sentimental value for our family and my children as well.

"old Faithful" geyser

The Old Faithful Inn

Inside the Old Faithful Inn

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Many Bison roamed Yellowstone. Each National Park had a unique way of warning visitors of dangerous animals...Yellowstone decided to draw a cartoon depicting a bison 'goring' a person. The person was in mid air, camera around his neck and underneath was a caption warning you to stay 25 yards away from bison. After the bear incident in Sequoia, I took their warning very seriously...this picture was snapped from the safety of the car....



Next: Theodore Roosevelt State Park, North Dakota

You read that right...we went to North Dakota! Dale had been to 47 of the lower 48 states, North Dakota was all he had left, so he added it to our trip. It was unexpectedly beautiful! The park is located in the "badlands" and had some very pretty views. In addition to more bison and some wild horses, the park had prairie dogs everywhere! They were fun to see popping in and out of their holes....

as we were approaching North Dakota, we could see a rainbow for quite some time. It seemed to be following us. It was way to big for me to fit it in one shot, so here is the rainbow in part.

Next Stop: Little Falls, Minnesota

Little Falls was randomly selected because of a state park there. We actually had a nice time there. They had a small river walk that had some interesting information about the town's history. We walked on the river walk, played on a very nice school playground and went to a little movie theater on main street.

Next Stop: Mall of America

I just had to see this place! We didn't tell the kids until we got there what we were doing. I can't say the boys were very excited, but Melissa and I were pretty happy to stop and check it out! After visiting the Lego store, we rode some of the rides. You can't see it, but in the picture above Alex and Greg are riding the roller coaster.

Next Stop: Chicago!

On the agenda, 1. go up the Sear's tower, 2. have chicago pizza...check and check!

The view from the tower

Aren't these hanging clear boxes a fun idea?? Dale and Melissa were a bit squeemish about standing mid air, but everyone else seemed just fine. You do lose your stomach a little bit when you first stand on the glass looking down....

Next Stop: HOMEEEEEE!!!!! after over 3 weeks of travelling, we were so ready to be home ! On our way, the city of Pittsburg helped us end our trip with a bang, literally! We were able to watch this fireworks display for quite a while as we drove!!

We experienced some amazing things on our trip, so many things I will never ever forget. The other day I saw an American Flag and tears filled my eyes. All those places we went, All the houses, farms, buildings, rivers etc etc that we saw, that one red white and blue Flag represents all of it! I feel humbled to live in this amazing country at this incredible time.

America the Beautiful...pt. 4

For those who are sick of this series, only one more post after this one! For everyone else, Here is some more really cool stuff!

Next Stop: Hoover Dam

After our van was singled out and checked by the security detail for the dam, we were cleared and allowed to proceed. (Unlike my security check to get onto Liberty Island, this time I did not have contraband such as scissors, spoons and a suspicious container with a "suspicious substance" (wadded up gum from 10 kids)... this security check was quick and easy)



They are building a new bridge to divert traffic off of Hoover Dam. Here is the progress on the bridge...

Next Stop: Las Vegas

With hotel rooms the same price as campsites, we stayed one night in Las Vegas. (Who could turn down seven showers, air conditioning, comfortable beds, and a 28th floor view for 35 bucks?!)

We saw lots of things (and tried not to see lots more), In addition to all the interesting hotels, we took the kids to Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage...It was so neat to get so up close and personal with the animals...except this guy, I didn't like the way he looked at me



The dolphin trainers happen to be out playing with the Dolphins! It was so neat to see them so closely

Next Stop: Sequoia National Park

They warned us to keep all food and beverages locked in our bear locker at our campsite, not wanting to temp fate, I unloaded EVERYTHING and put it in the locker. Our neighbors were not so vigilant and a bear came right up and began eating their food! Dale was a super hero, while I grabbed my fajita pan and began banging on it to chase the bear away, Dale was standing guard in the meadow near our kids tent to keep it away. (The kids smelling of candy, chips and fajitas freaked me out a bit) Not taking comfort in the fact that my kid's tent was on the perimeter of a meadow, the point of entry for the bears, and that they smelled so tasty, we opted to put them in the Van for the night. I opted for the safety of the van as well...Dale's choice: a bad nights sleep cramped in the van, or a good nights sleep chancing a bear encounter...guess which he chose? (He is a Kelley, a good night's sleep trumps about everything else in life)

Sequoia Dale and Shawn checking out a "tree"...They said that a 6 foot tall man standing at the base of that tree is equivalent to a mouse standing at the base of a six foot tall man...made me think, "Why the heck am I so scared of the dumb things?!?" Warning to all mice, Winter is coming, stay out of my house, or it is ON

All things are huge in Sequoia, check out this pine cone! It is the cone of a Sugar Pine tree, the largest species of pine.

Trees big enough that my whole family can fit!!

"Huge"


Next Stop: Yosemite National Park

Look closely, this picture has three of Yosemite's sites, El Capitan (the flat faced rock), Half Dome and Bridalveil Falls.



Next Stop: San Francisco

I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to do in San Francisco: Park on Hyde St., get an all day pass for the trolley, get off at fisherman's wharf, China Town and Nob Hill, have lunch somewhere and then drive over the Golden Gate Bridge on our way out. But I could see from the very beginning that this would be bad Karma day. Having an oversized vehicle left us with three parking options, A. leave it in a lot and give the guy our keys: no way, we had computers and extra wallets and all kinds of goodies to get into, B. pay 48 dollars a day parking: NOT EVER could I do this or C. park our "commercial" vehicle next to a commercial meter with a one hour time limit...we chose C. I ran back and fed the meter, so we got 2 hours out of it. We walked up several streets, saw Trolleys, walked past China Town and got a little taste of San Francisco.


Next Stop: Pacific Ocean

Coming from the East, when we say ocean our kids envision boogy boards, hot sun and soft cool breezes....When we said Pacific Ocean they, and I, envisioned all the same things. Despite Dale trying to warn me, I was still suprised by the freezing water, the whipping, cold breezes and no swimmers. I guess it's similar to beaches in New England. Still inspiring, but not exactly recreational.





Next Stop: Salt Lake City

We were so blessed to stay with Dale's cousin for three days in West Jordan, Utah. We had a list of things to see,including the Kennecott Copper mine, 'This is the Place' Heritage Park, the Conference Center, Temple Square, and Snowbird. The kids were excited to see it all, but I think they would have been completely satisfied to play with their second cousins the whole weekend. Greg asked all day long "when is it time to go back to their house and play?",Despite not really knowing each other, they hit it off right away. It was so great!

Alex looking at a painting in the Conference Center

We climbed to the top of Snowbird...with the help of a tram.

Our kids with their second cousins

In and around St. George...

Next Stop:
St. George, Utah

We couldn't travel West without making sure to see the other woman in Dale's life, his 94 year old Grandma. A lucky coincidence for us was that Dale's mom and Dad would be staying at Grandma's with us. Grandma Kelley has lived in St. George, Utah for over 16 years. She has had a very interesting life and despite being 94, can remember things in her life with a clarity that this 35 year old doesn't have. For as long as I have known Dale, I have known that his grandma is his 'girl' (Melissa has become his other 'girl'). He adores his Grandma, and she him. I have benefitted not only from Grandma's life experiences, but I have benefitted from Grandma's affection for her grandson. To say she is very important to me would understate my feelings. You can see her great influence in my children as well. We stayed three days with her, and my kids didn't want to leave. They looked forward to seeing her more than anything, and they were the most upset to leave her. We were so blessed to be able to take her with us when we visited several places around St. George, including two National Parks. Her love and knowledge of National Parks goes back to the 1920's when she worked 6 summers at Yellowstone. I cannot say how many times she has been to National Parks. She mentioned to me that she had been to Zion National Park over 100 times.

My love of National Parks has been influenced by many things, but Grandma is a big part of that. When Shawn was a baby, I stayed with her and now deceased Grandpa. Dale's Grandpa was ill, and could not get about very easily, but Grandma wanted me to see the Grand Canyon, so she drove me over 8 hours round trip to see it. She didn't even get out of the car! She felt it was so important that I should get to see it, even if only for 15 minutes, while she waited in the car.



Dale and his other woman...


St. George sunset....

Snow Canyon

On our way to Gunlock Resevoir, Grandma had been showing us damage from the 2005 Virgin/ Santa Clara River floods, so I was very suprised to see how low the water level was. We were walking in sludge to get to the water, and then trying to get out of the sludge once in the water!

The kids playing chicken with Grandpa

Alex is sculpting "Man in the Mountain" monument, and Greg is "putting sunblock on the rock so it doesn't get a sunburn"

At the Cemetary:

Zion National Park

Looking up at "weeping rock"

Learning that Cacti are NOT fun to touch:

Bryce Canyon:

Grandma with what she calls her "treasures"