Thursday - Day 116 - An unplanned event

Our last day in Jackson Hole was unexpectively filled with charm of the area attractions around us. 

We climbed 10,400 feet to enjoy some of the tastiest waffles we have ever eaten.  The tram traveled a steady 12 miles an hour to the top of the beautiful, snow capped mountain; we had admired from our hotel room in Teton Village.  Ty really enjoyed the ride up and down. 

 

      Ty holding on while riding the tram

     View from the top of the mountain

   

Once on top, we soaked up the views and eventually took refuge in the famous waffle diner available to all who make it to the top.  Anything you want on a waffle, brown sugar and butter, Nutella, peanut butter, folded and wrapped in foil to take on the go.  Hot chocolate and coffee topped it all off, it was windy and cold on the summit.  How do skiers do this in the winter months?

   James enjoying his waffle on top of the mountain

In the winter months, the entire area is packed with skiers and snowboarders.  This time of year you'll see mountain bikers and tourists roaming the grounds, along with a few businessmen. 

Next, we drove to Grand Teton National Forest, which was about twenty minutes from out hotel.  We saw gorgeous scenery, including Jenny Lake and the Teton Mountains. The views were spectacular.

         Grand Teton National Forest

                              At Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Forest

The evening was as authentic as we could get for the area.  We went to a county music/dinner show at Bar J Chuckwagon open only in the summer months.  

                                               http://www.barjchuckwagon.com/

The food was cooked in bulk to feed 600, served on tin plates and cups and was some of the best BBQ I have eaten.  Coming from a previous Texas and Georgia resident that's damn good BBQ.  John and I were pleasantly surprised.  Ty ate BBQ beans one by one with his fork.  He impressed the strangers we were sitting with.   

The entertainment was pretty spectacular too.  A group of funny, musically talented cowboys, The Bar J Wranglers.  They tour the country when they aren't entertaining at the Chuckwagon. 

James and I had found this place on our bike ride, the day before, and had no idea what to expect.  It's always those unplanned events that make a mini-vaca more memorable. 

                "Way to go!"

Wednesday - Day 115 - Was it a Dream?

Waking up in a new place, it usually takes me a few seconds to remember where I am and then there's that sigh of relief when my memory comes flooding back.

I'm in a beautiful suite, with an extremely comfortable bed, and an envious view.  I slept very well, awoke anticipating an exhilarating shower and "No! I was not dreaming." 

I promised James we would go to the pool early in the day, and we did.  The pool was on a terrace with another beautiful view of the mountains and it was as warm as a bath.  I caught a glimpse of a bike rental shop from the pool deck.  A seed was planted, could I rent bikes for James and I and tow Ty?  I was going to find out. 

The pool was warm with perfection

First we went to a cafe with the coolest little kid area.  It had a TV with a Shrek DVD playing, a chalkboard wall, a comfy couch, mini tables and chairs and plenty of toys.  I ate my breakfast, enjoyed my cup of coffee and watched the boys play.  

At the Hotel Terra Cafe, 'Kiddy" area
I call it 'The Mom Sanity Sanctuary"

Next we visited with John and his colleagues.  It was great seeing everyone.  I felt extremely grateful for each of them, who without, I would not be here.  It was business as unusual for all of them, while I bee-lined to the bike store.  I checked prices and although I was wondering if I would be able to handle a bike ride with both boys, I decided to do it. The unknown would soon be known. 

We went back to our room, and changed clothes.  Ty grabbed a 2 hour nap and we headed back downstairs just as the cleaning lady knocked on our door.  What incredible timing as James was itching to get his bike.  We rented one for each of us and a trailer for Ty.  

Super excited, 'Mom, when can we leave?!"

After a little coaching, James lead the way for us.

James was a trouper and he followed directions very well.  He learned the difference between a Stop and a Yield sign.  He rode without one complaint.  When it rained, cold slushy rain, for a couple of miles, it was windy and chilly and James pedaled even faster then I did.

James was big on taking photos

Ty was a cute little rider and he did extremely well.  I shared trail mix and water with him, he munched and rode quietly.  He pointed and laughed when we stopped to look at horses.

  

Ty took in the scenery, while I rode him around.
 I'm thinking he could get use to this life.

Ty in his capsule - even when it rained,
he didn't complain...much.

Both boys enjoyed every minute of every mile of our ride.  I had no idea we already rode 6.3 miles when we finally decided to turn around.  I could not believe how far we rode, although, I felt it in my legs each time I climbed off my bike.  My legs felt like Jell-O.  But, we continued on and two and half hours later we made it back to the resort.   James could not wait to tell his dad all about his long bike ride. 

James was fierce and fast.  Nothing slowed him down

"Mom, take a photo with the cows behind me!"

John couldn't believe we actually rode 12.6 miles.  I like it when I still find ways to surprise my husband.  I can not wait to see what surprises will come tomorrow.

  

Our views along the Bike Trail!

Tuesday - Day 114 - From frogs to bugs & snakes

We were awake super early to catch out flight to Salt Lake City today.  John was awoken earlier, due to the loud frogs outside our camper.  

We have had a lot of rain, and it is that time of year when all the tadpoles grow into frogs.  Wow, they are loud for being so small.  Even after all this time living at the campground, these things still surprise me. 

We made it to Salt Lake City, found our rental car and hit the road to Jackson Hole, WY, a beautiful five hour drive.  My world exploded with eye opening views the minute we left the parking garage.  The chime of frogs at 5am seemed vey far away.  

                                         

     Our drive from Salt Lake City, UT 

       to Jackson Hole, WY was gorgeous!   

On our drive, John and I chatted about many things.  The frogs began a long conversation about bugs and snakes and all the crazy creatures in and around all our homes. 

I had no idea John checked all our beds for bugs and snakes in the camper and at our cabin before bedtime.  He is extremely cautious before laying Ty in his bed.  He told me, "You just never know what may have crawled into bed when you're not looking."  He truly made my wheels turn, it never occurred to me to check the beds. 

At our Georgia cabin there are centipedes, scorpions, snakes and spiders to watch out for.  At the camper we have Palmetto bugs, ants, spiders and frogs that could sneak inside.  At the new house we'll be on the look out for all of the above, plus Mosquitos and snakes near the retention pond.  Oh my!!  I told John, "I just pretend they don't exist and hope I never see any of them."

        This sucker was sneaking around my friend's Florida home. Yikes!!

       
In the mist of our bug conversation, I was in awe looking out the window.  The landscape changed about every 30 miles, the mountains and terrain were an array of color and size.  The Western United States is truly the most beautiful part our country that I have ever seen.  I feel extremely fortunate to have shared this trip with my husband and the boys. It made talking about bugs in our beds all the more enjoyable. 

Monday - Day 113 - Just another Day

Today we visited a Montessori school for Ty, saw our teenage children and packed for our trip out West. 

John decided to take me and the little boys on a business trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  While we are there we will visit Yellowstone National Park and Utah.  I packed the boys first thing in the morning.  We also had an appointment with a Montessori school for Ty at 10am.  

Ty will be attending school in the fall, at least part-time.  I anticipate I'll be working full-time and we decided a Montessori school close to James' elementary school would be the best solution.  John and I toured the school and we were more then satisfied with the teachers and facilities.  I felt confident we had made the right choice.  

Once we made it home, our older kids came by to visit and tell us all about their mission trip to Costa Rica.  They had arrived home the night before.  We all piled into the RV, comfortably.  These are the days we will reflect on with awe. 

                 Marcella in Costa Rica 

They shared their experiences in Costa Rica and we shared details regarding their future home.  We also took them to see the model home similar to the one we will be building.  They were all very excited.  

Afterwards, we came home to the campground, talked more about life and fun stuff, we snacked on whatever we could find and watched a scary movie, while it stormed hard outside.  

Considering, James was at school and the dog was already at the doggy hotel, it felt quite roomy in the camper with two of our family members gone.

When it was time to pick James up from school that evening, the girls came with me.  James' teacher use to be the girl's first grade teacher and they were both excited to see her.  How life effortlessly comes full circle.  Their teacher loves the idea of teaching Haley and Marcella's little brother. 

James had a great day at school.  We all had a great day. And tomorrow we take a little trip out West for the week.   It's a never ending adventure with The Nelson family.   

Sunday - Day 112 - Father's Day

When I met my husband he had no idea he was going to become a father all over again.  I made it clear I wanted children before he even had the chance to figure out if he wanted to date me.  I was a no nonsense kind of girl and I wanted my intentions to be totally understood.  He welcomed the message loud and clear.

A little over two years later, we were married and give birth to our first son.  It would be his fourth child, my first.  He was elated.  He had always thought his door to having more children was closed, until that is, he met me.  Another four years later and we gave birth to Ty.  He was now a father of five.

Ty's Birthday!

What's one more to add to the Nelson Klan!
Haley, Marcella, Jack, James & John

I truly believe if I gave my husband the green light, he would have had more children.  I was fulfilled and we agreed five was the perfect number of children, his door was now officially closed.  

John is such a good father in so many ways.  He listens and cares.  He can manage a toddler and a teenager with the same easy fatherly fashion.  It is in his nature, he was born to be a father.

Toddler Ty & John

Teenage daughter, Haley & John

I knew John would be an incredible father not long after we met.  He pulled out his wallet and showed me his three adorable children on our first date. Children I never knew I would be a step-mother to, children who already knew they had the best daddy ever.

Corn MAZE in Cleveland, GA
John, Marcella, Haley & Jack

Alaskan Cruise
Jack, Haley, Marcella & John

It is ironic the way our lives unfold.  Neither of us knew what lay ahead, but John thanks me each and every day for giving him such beautiful, loving sons.  All I can think, when he tells me this, is that they are great boys because of their father.  He has molded them and taught them things that only a father can.  

John with James & Ty
in Costa Rica

I did not only meet my husband when I met John, I met the father of my children.  The father of all my children.  Happy Father's Day John!!  Looking forward to many more happy days ahead.

Haley's Prom  photo with her dad

      

Ty & John  in Memphis, TN

James & John at Disney

John & Marcella

Dancing the night away
on Alaskan Cruise

John & Jack in New York

John & Jack

James & John in Costa Rica

James 1st wedding
(he was the Ring Bearer)

Marcella's first baseball game

James and his daddy

Marcella & her daddy

John & Jack

John & Ty in Costa Rica

Jack & John in Cancun, Mexico

Haley, James, Marcella & Jack
in Hilton Head, SC

Saturday PM - Day 111 - A Song of Friendship

We spent most of the day with old friends from our previous New Smyrna Beach life.  We were pool side at their home, reminiscing, laughing, and sharing one another's families. 

When we left NSB four years ago, we didn't have a Ty and James was as young a Ty is today.  Sharing our boys and enjoying their much more grown up girls was refreshing.  All four children were sweet and caring together.  They looked out for one another, they played and sang (karaoke) together, they were all smiles and happy.  You would not have guessed there was a brief interruption in their friendship.

All the kids played hard together

I also cherish our friendship with Robert and Debbie.  It is the kind of friendship when you can leave for four years and pick up where you left off, with sincerity and honesty regarding where you've been and where you're going.  It is that friendship filled with the appropriate understanding of life's challenges at just the right time, when you really need it.  Through good times and bad, there is no judgement because we have opened up our hearts to acceptance and understanding on all levels.

We have lived through and shared so much since we meet our friends.  Debbie was one of my first true girlfriends when I first moved to New Smyrna Beach in 2006.  She opened up her life to me, introduced me to her friends, and we enjoyed life and had fun.  Debbie was there for me after giving birth to James, she helped me in ways she didn't realize at the time.  Their entire family shared our love for our cabin in Georgia, one weekend getaway, a time we would love to capture once again.  

We have spent good times meshing our families on many occasions, with all our children.  We shared Kiwanis events and life events.  Even though we drifted after we moved way, I believe time apart makes you appreciate time together again.

Ty being silly with the girls

I look forward to creating more memories and watching our kids grow up together.  They will sing and laugh and play.  It's what we do when we're together.  Our song of friendship will continue to be sung, and it never sounded so good.

Because that's how we roll