The peace garden state

We made it back from the road trip of death. If you haven't taken a 42 hr road trip, consider yourself lucky. It makes the trip home to Oregon seem like a breeze. We made our way through Jackson Hole and Yellowstone, on through Montana (where Chris got pulled over for speeding, no endless speedlimit on the MT interstate anymore, turns out..the lucky duck got off with a warning) and on to ND.

Old Faithful

We had tons of fun with my aunts, uncles and cousins. I hadn't seen any of them since 2002 (and some of then since before that!) so it was definitely a much needed visit. I got to visit my little 2 1/2 year old cousin Rylee for the first time, and she is definitely a delight.

This is Chris showing his skills on Lake Cormorant. We got to spend a day at my aunt Susie and Barry's lake house in Minnesota (just over the ND border) and it was a blast!

Chris has much greater skill at wakeboarding..I am a fan, but can only seem to stay in the wake or go directly to the right and stay there..not quite sure how to cross back yet..someday.

And, the biggest feat of the trip: We got my MOM to go tubing. Mom, you're awesome.

On the way back we got to stop at Mt. Rushmore. It was pretty spectacular..somehow we felt the need to pose like the ye old presidents. We look just like them, I'm sure.

Overall it was an awesome, awesome trip. But next time, I'm flying.

On the road again..

Chris and I are on the road to North Dakota! Chris finally gets to meet my Dad's side of the fam in the good old ND. We are trippin it through Jackson and yellowstone, so hopefully we'll steer clear of bears this time. We'll put some picts up when we get back next week :)

What a SCHAM (scam+shame)

I don't know why this story makes me feel totally HAD. Chris and I have had a fun time watching the olympics and we've been watching semi-religiously (we don't have cable..we have a tv, but not tv..you know). We basically have family members tevo (sp?) it for us, and also watch the stats online (yay for not paying for cable!). The opening ceremonies (however amazing it was) had a MILLI Vanilli stunt. The oh-so-cute little Chinese girl who sang the traditional hymn in the ceremonies was actually lip syncing. No joke. They had another little girl sing it, but apparently the real singer didn't portray the China they wanted to present (ie: she had buck teeth).

Sad! Check here to see the article on the whole ordeal. AND apparently those footprint fireworks at the ceremonies....computer graphics. What is going ON? And this one is more of a conspiracy theory, but seriously people, are the Chinese girl gymnasts REALLY sixteen(age minimum)? I'm thinking they are about eleven. Maybe twelve. Teentsy!!  I don't know why this all makes me feel so worked up, but I just feel taken..taken I tell you!!