Our last blog was from the
Babbel's house in Missouri just over a month and a half ago, so as you can imagine, we have a lot to report especially given our situation the last several months.
First of all, our trip across the mid section of the United States was much more enjoyable this time around. Our second night's stay was in Denver. Kris and I both have fond memories of going to Casa Bonita as children and so we thought that Alyson and Kourtney were old enough to enjoy it too. They loved it, and we even got to sit next to the waterfall in the bungalow. We had the best view in the house!
Here is a video of the girls swimming at the hotel pool.
We arrived in Grand Junction the next day. It's always great to visit with Mom, Dad and Eleonore, and it's interesting to see how the Grand Valley is ever changing. While the girls just enjoy spending quality time with the grandparents, Kris and I have to admit that having some date nights to
ourselves is the greatest perk for coming back home. Regardless of the reason, we try to make visits home a priority.
This trip was extra special for several reasons. One being that it was the first time for Dad and Ellary to meet. They formed a bond almost instantly, and she found the crook of his arm the perfect place to sleep. He also helped to take great care of her while Kris and I were away in
Durango, something you will read about shortly.
The second highlight was to see what great shape Mom is in now. She goes on hikes nearly every day with a group of ladies from church, and not just any old stroll down the
Audubon trail. We are talking about hiking Serpents Trail
at least 3 times a week. It's so awesome that her health has improved so drastically.
Then another highlight included watching
Mutti, Kris' mom, receive her patriarchal blessing from Bishop Dean White. It's
incredible to see what reactivation into the church has done for her and the happiness it's brought her life and the lives of those around her.
Now onto the girls and what they probably enjoyed most (with kids you never can tell for sure what they are thinking). Alyson and
Kourtney spent many hours playing in the sprinklers at
Oma's house and also playing card games with her. They also enjoyed watering flowers at Nana and Papa's house and playing dress up. Alyson took a hike with Eleonore up to Hanging Lake and made it up without a hitch. She didn't need to be carried at any point of the hike. She was so proud to be "big".
While Alyson was on the hike, Kourtney went to Weight Watchers with mom and then out to lunch with the ladies where mom says she amazed them with her smile and hugs.
We never got a chance to go camping on the Mesa because of time constraints, so we pitched the tent in my parent's back yard and built a fire in a pit I made from left over house bricks about 15 years ago. We had tin foil dinners and watched the stars. The girls were talking about it for days and begging us to go camping in the back yard again. The girls also loved playing with their 11 year old cousin Leighton, and then with their four other cousins from Utah, Jordann, Aubrey, Eli and Joshua. (Pictures of these events will be added later. They are on a thumb drive at Kris' work.)
The highlight for Kris and I was a 4 day, 3 night trip in
Durango, Colorado. The grandparents took care of Alyson and
Kourtney, and yes, even baby Ellary. What blessings breast pumps are for women and their babies! It was an
incredible experience to be alone together for a few days and to build special memories with just the two of us in them. We spent one afternoon on a 6 mile hike. The views were spectacular at the top of the mountain viewing the 14,000 foot mountains off in the distance and the quaint city of
Durango far below. What a gorgeous part of the country it certainly is!
We also spent one day touring the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde.
My fear of
heights was tested to the max!
Kris was amazed by the architecture. See him pointing out where the flat screen T.V. should go in the
kiva...
We also went golfing on our way home-something Kris has only had the pleasure of doing a couple times the past year and something I hadn't done since October of 2006.
We returned back to Grand Junction the day before the 4
th, so we had the opportunity to enjoy the holiday with our families including Mom, Dad, Eleonore, Leighton, Renee, Rod,
Jordann, Aubrey, Eli, Joshua, and Eleonore's friend June.
We spent most of the day at Lincoln Park where some of us swam, while some played card games or
frisbee golf. Others just enjoyed the "general splendor" of it all.
Then we woke up bright and early the next morning and hiked the
Independence Monument trail with Mom and her hiking group. To see her in action was awesome. After reaching the top in the late morning, most of us were tired from the previous days events, from the hike or the sun, or all three. However, we had a great time being together, and I personally liked looking at the Colorado desert
landscape that I have taken for granted all of these years.
After such a great visit to Grand Junction, we loaded up our car and 8 foot trailer and said goodbye, then set out for our journey, hopefully the last one in a car, to Michigan. This time we made it more of a vacation as we stayed the night in Nebraska with some friends we met while living in Bloomington. Both of their parents have farms near North Platte and so we got a chance to see where they grew up. The girls also had a chance to play with their children one of which included Ellary, the girl who's name we liked so much.
We stopped to see a friend of Kris' in Nebraska the next day, and stayed one night in a hotel in Des Moines. The following morning took us to a part of the country we have never seen before: the eastern side of Lake Michigan. We know we will be revisiting some of the touristy towns along lake Michigan again these coming years. We stayed two nights in Holland, Michigan where we took one day and went to the beach. It's like being at the ocean because the water goes on for what seems like forever except the water was a whopping 69 degrees. I chose to sit on the beach with Ellary while Kris and the girls braved the chilly water. We all made sand castles and went back to the hotel with sand sticking to nearly every part of our bodies. We had to use a disposable camera until we could get to our new home in East Lansing where mom could mail us our camera battery.
The next day we drove into East Lansing and closed on our house. We love it. It's a little big but we hope to grow into it over the next several years (more kiddos to come along hopefully!). We will post more news of our adventures here soon. Take care!
We then placed Ellary in the stroller and walked down to the 4-H Children's Garden. It was very beautiful. Alyson liked looking at the flowers and smelling them. Koco preferred the water fountain and Ellary slept through it all.
We returned home on the bus after a few hours on campus. We can't wait to explore more places in the new town we live in!
Here are some pictures of our home at the request of some of our family and friends. The first two were taken last fall when the house was originally put on the market. The trees are lush and green now and the bushes near the front door are tall and green as well.
This is a picture of Kris mowing the lawn. It takes about two and half hours now instead of just one. He would like a riding lawn mower next spring. 
This is the current 
We are excited to use our living room fireplace in the winter. There is another one in the basement.
This is looking back from the living room windows toward the entry way and the upstairs. Woof! What a set of stairs (16 steps!)
We love the kitchen. Too bad I am not a better cook. But I am trying harder now that I have more counter top and cupboard space than I know what to do with. 
The girls like to eat at the counter in the 
This is the eat in nook. We usually have lunch and dinner here, unless it is Sunday or we have friends over to eat. Then we eat in the formal dining room.
We found this dining room set off 
Alyson really likes her room. The bed was given to us by a professor at 
Ellary's room is almost finished (sew some valances and hang a few pictures), but there is no rush as she is still sleeping in our room. I love her room because it is so bright and clean.
Some areas of the house that you have not seen are the master bedroom, and the finished basement. Please, if you are coming through the area or 
