We interrupt these vacation posts to bring you...FLOOD 2017

Ugh.

I'll spare you many details, but this past week has been a bit of a challenge for us.  On Tuesday, Jon had to go to court and I was told to keep an eye on the sump pit while he was away.  A storm was predicted, and we had reason to be concerned.  I went downstairs to check the pit and saw the water rising...and rising...and rising.  I yelled for the kids to bring towels.  Scratch that, kids- bring buckets!  I couldn't get a hold of Jon, so I did what I do when I panic..."MOM!!!!!!!"  

My parents raced over and started to furiously help me carry buckets of water up the stairs.  We watched as the water continued to pour in and completely flood the basement.  We worked for at least two hours just trying to keep the waters from rising higher.  Mike and Carol came over too to join in the fun.  The kids worked so hard for the entire time- filling up buckets for the grownups to chug up the stairs.  We did this over and over...and over.

Finally, Jon was able to come home and our plumber showed up too with a new pump.  Then we were able to turn our attention for the next several hours to removing the saturated carpet, pad, and all of the MANY furniture and treasures that our basement held.

Most items from downstairs have been brought upstairs, so we are living in chaos.

The fans and dehumidifiers have been running non-stop, and it's loud.  The kids and I have been shutting ourselves into our bedroom in the evenings and reading many books on the bed- just to escape the messy house and noise.  (I think they are actually enjoying that and have been looking forward to it each evening.)

I realize that in the scheme of life, this isn't a real "trial" by some people's standards.  We were all safe and were blessed by the help of our families.   We are trying to take this in stride and hopefully set up better systems so this won't happen again anytime soon. 

Kind of funny side story...during the flood, my mom and I had our phones in our pockets and the emergency flood alert started sounding.  Natalie asked me a few days later how they knew that our basement was flooding.  :)

After the storm, there was a rainbow.  (A Marsh cookie rainbow, that is.)  I wanted to explain to everyone in the store why we were choosing a rainbow cookie (most icing).  No statements of any kind intended! 

Kind of off topic, but Kate said, "When I turn 18, I'm going to drive to Marsh everyday!"  :)

Last stop...Idaho!

Our last hoorah took place in the Idaho Panhandle.  We enjoyed catching up with friends and exploring their beautiful area!

 Animals of any kind are always a hit, too!

Creek time would have been more fun without Mom there telling them not to get too wet!:)

 Notice the three deer that had just crossed ahead of us!

 For some reason, Scott thinks we need one of these for our house now!

It was fun to watch these girls play so well together.  It made for a hard goodbye. 

 After our nice visit, we started the long journey home. 

"How many hours until _____ (the pool, lunch, the next state, etc)?" became the question of the day.  Kate kept telling Daddy to "go double the speed limit!" 

At a Culver's restaurant in Iowa, I entered a sweepstakes to win a family roadtrip to California.  The kids were very disturbed by this and begged me not to enter for fear we would win.  Everyone was ready to be back home.  I didn't necessarily want to win either...I was just hoping for a shot at the lesser prize of a gift card to Cabela's.  :)  We haven't gotten the winning call about that.  And if we did, I would probably hang up on them thinking it was a scam!:)  Anyway, no more roadtrips...until maybe next year!

When we finally arrived home, Kate ran in and said, "Now you can scream and you can stomp and you won't get kicked out!"  (Yes, she may have heard us give such warnings during our many hotel stays.)

Ah...there is no place like home-says Lindsey the homebody.  There is no place like the West- says Jon.  

Bells Not Needed

Kate's great grandmother had advised her to have a bell handy during our visit to Glacier National Park.  On the first night of the trip when I unzipped Kate's little bag, I found that she had followed the advice and had stuffed a bell down in with her belongings.  Between that and the "HIGH FIVE" matching bear shirts that I made the kids wear, Kate was on edge in the park.  We never spotted a bear (or much wildlife at all), and I think Kate was relieved to leave Montana behind.  Four year olds are just not into beautiful scenery, I tell ya! 

 Great fake smiles though!

We hiked to a pretty waterfall. 

 Another fun pool to ourselves!

The kids shared a queen bed again this year.  It may be the last year we can get by with that.  Lots of cuddles (and kicks)!

Saddle Up Your Horses!

The kids talked and talked about our next stop in Wyoming.  It was wonderful to see Lucas & Melinda again and their amazing kiddos. 

Jon asked 10 year old Connor what he wanted to be when he grew up.  Connor said that he wasn't sure yet, but said that he might be a cowboy like his dad.  How many kids can say that and actually have it be a reality?!?   

New kittens to squeeze!

And, of course, horses to ride...

Patches the Pony got a few Kate hugs and kisses. 

And a bottle-fed calf got some extra attention too!

Sweet and special times with sweet and special friends!  Thanks Lucas & Melinda!:)

Behold the Badlands

Our next (new to us) stop was the Badlands. 

Jon got his Super-Dad award as he helped all four of us scramble up and down these crazy land formations. 

One of us was even lucky enough to get a tow.  (Kate got pretty comfortable on Jon's shoulders as you'll see on future pics from other hikes we attempted to take.)

Jon even fought off the fearsome rattlesnakes for us.   (Or just told his wife to keep calm and stay on the path and that she'd be fine.)

Vacation Deja Vu

That was fun...let's do it again.  

Our vacation pics will look a bit familiar.  We did a lot of the same things from last year's vacation (with a few changes here and there).  First stop...John Deere Pavilion in Illinois. 

 

We are such creatures of habit.  We even had the same dinner stop as last year.  Colonel Sanders was as friendly as we remembered and hadn't changed one bit.  

Same fun hotel with indoor/outdoor pool and waterfall.  Same parent drew the short straw and had to do the night swim duty the first night.  After long days on the road, the pools were excellent incentives for the kids and a great way to expend some extra energy before bed.