Oh Canada.

This post is a long time coming... I started thinking maybe Jesus didn't want me to blog anymore because every time I tried, something went wrong (including not having internet for the past week), and I wasn't able to. Anyway. Sorry about that.

Sunday morning, July 1st, we left KC bright and early... no, literally we were on the road by 6am... and headed to Tyler's parents house in Iowa.  Our boys were already there, as my inlaws had met me earlier that week to exchange them, and I couldn't wait to get my arms around them again.  I actually napped a lot of the way there and soaked in quietness of the back seat, fully aware it wouldn't be that way the remainder of the week.

We spent a couple days there, mostly just lounging and enjoying their 4th of July celebrations that took place each day/night... including a toilet bowl race that we participated in, some street dancing while listening to local bands, and of course a steak pita.  It wouldn't be the same without one.

Tuesday morning we loaded up the boys & car and headed north to Minnesota.  Our trip routed us around Minneapolis, but with just a little bit of begging and a big pouty lip, my sweet husband routed us downtown instead so that I could meet Leah.

You guys, she is the sweetest thing.  So down to earth, SO CUTE!!!, so easy to talk to, and so real.  A few months ago, my Sister said to me, "I feel like you and Leah would be best friends if you lived closer", and after hanging out with her for a short 20 minutes, I would definitely agree.  There were no awkward moments (you know, the ones you fear!), no hesitation.  It really just felt like I was meeting up with an old friend that I just happen to have so much in common with.  I mean, she even hugged my husband.  What a gal.

PS, I wouldn't normally wear work-out clothes to meet someone new... but I was traveling. :)

We met up with my family and after lunch, a water balloon toss, some hammock swinging, and group pictures, we again hit the road and headed to Brainerd to spend a night with my Aunt & Uncle.  We ate a delicious meal, fished, killed A LOT of mosquitoes, saw some fireworks, got kicked out of a bar, and the next morning (July 4) we left for Grand Forks, North Dakota.  (for the record: we were only kicked out because my brother is only 20, and they wouldn't let him stay and play pool. Calm down, people.)

Grand Forks is where we were reunited with a sweet love at our hotel... air conditioning.  I ran at the hotel gym (something I never thought I'd do!) and later, we met up with my brother Chad and his family for some 4th of July celebrations.  We walked around town, took some awkward family pictures, and found a river to throw rocks in... giving my Mom quite a few heart-attacks as she kept picturing one of the kids going over the edge.

July 5 was probably my biggest "fear" whenever I thought about vacation.  The unknown of what it was going to be like to cross the border pretty much terrified me, which is laughable at this point, because it was so simple.  I have no idea what I was afraid of, because there's nothing to find, but it was just the unknown of it all.  And you guys know how I do with unknown situations.  Not well.

We crossed over the border and Canada...?  Well, it felt a lot like North Dakota, minus the speed limit and mileage signs being in kilometers.  The farther north we drove, the more beautiful it got, and once we reached Gimli (Manitoba), we were pleasantly surprised.

My parents were amazing and took care of our lodging and food while we were there.  We loved where we stayed... in a yurt.  If you've never heard of one, it's okay, I had no idea what it was either.

The ceiling was open (of course protected by a screen to prevent bugs from getting in), which made for some cool star gazing at night, and early morning sun rises.  The furniture was all handmade, and everything about it was amazing.

We spent that evening around the campfire, which is by far one of my favorite things on this planet.  I'm sure you could hear the roar of laughter from miles away, as we spent time together as a family.  Also one of my favorite things.

Friday morning we decided to head into town to check things out.  I had previously created a scavenger hunt for the family reunion, so Dad and I wanted to walk around town to make sure my questions all made sense and were fairly easy (but yet challenging) to answer.

After lunch, we headed back to the campground and I took a glorious... glorious... 4 hour nap with my boys.  The reunion "officially" started that evening.

Friday night was one of my favorite nights of the trip.  We wandered down to the beach in town and watched the sun set, hanging with some of my siblings and just enjoying the peace.  My boys were fairly calm (compared to the rest of the trip), and the weather was perfect... almost on the chilly side.  I wish the rest of my family could have been there to enjoy it as well, but with no cell service to let them know where we were, it didn't happen.

Saturday held lots of "planned" activities... volleyball, softball, kids games, tournaments, swimming at the beach, the formal dinner/banquet, and another campfire at the beach.  We had fun talking with some distant cousins about the differences between Canada and America and just getting to know people we didn't before.  Really, a great day.

Sunday I went for a run around the campground, cleaned, packed, and loaded the car, and attended the lunch picnic and survivor games.

By this point, our boys were SO.DONE... I think anyone who was around us would say the same about them... and it was time to go.  After the sad goodbyes, we hit the road, and really, we were both very sad to have the trip come to an end.  Our 14 hour drive home was a BREEZE since the boys were so tired and slept 75% of it.  We spent the night in Sioux Falls, SD and were home by 2pm on Monday afternoon.

Besides the mosquitoes, there wasn't a thing I'd change about the trip.  
Laughing and spending time with family...
The joys of travel...
Seeing different parts of our beautiful country...
Feeling thankful to be able to travel to another country...
And the overwhelming happiness we felt when we arrived back home.

From start to finish, we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

          Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

Job 37:14