...to just relax! And it is wonderful.
I am sitting at a table under a tree in beautiful Midway, UT while Ty is busy at a writer's conference.
It is just me and the ladybug sitting on my computer screen.
I haven't spent this much time alone in quite a while.
And I recommend spending just a few once in a while in silence.
It is good for the soul.
On another note...
This summer was full of so many great things. I was in 10 states in one summer.
Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and of course Utah.
Here are just a few photographic memories of a wonderful summer.
Truck rides at the cabin with the entire Whitesides family. It is so great when we are all together.
Our journey to Minnesota! Lots of happy people in one van.
It was so fun to make the trip with Molls and Mike and we appreciate their willingness to stow us away.
We even stopped at Mount Rushmore on the way.
A much needed time to stretch our legs and enjoy a piece of American History.
We had such a great time in Minnesota. The weather was wonderful, not too humid. The children were quite enjoyable and hilarious. We still are laughing about the things they said.
The food was delicious. Mike and Molly really know how to treat their guests.
And we even got an after hours tour of the Mayo clinic, where Mike is finishing up his last year of residency.
Mike took us to the pediatric wing where everything was designed with the children in mind.
Even the drinking fountains.
And these three animals.
Love them, even though they call me "Uncle Connie."
Historic Nauvoo
It was amazing. It was not even what I could have imagined. I loved hearing the stories and the history behind the Early Saints of the Church. And being able to experience it all where it happened was unlike anything else I have ever done.
Laura and Marty joined us for a while and we loved spending time with them. They went back to Kansas City and we quickly followed but we stopped a few places on the way...
The Historic City of Hannibal, Missouri.
The birth place of Mark Twain.
Adam-ondi-Ahman
This picture doesn't even begin to show the vastness of the land here.
Thousands of windmills and corn fields along the way.
Man and nature working together. I love it.
Becoming a real adult (22 years of age) with a real career. That has been quite an adjustment. But it is one that I love.
And to end the summer recap. I can't believe how big these children are getting. I am a proud aunt. And it is good to know that there are genes this great floating around in the McDonald gene pool. It give me hope for one day.
We had a wonderful summer.
We look forward to next June when the fun begins again.
Texas anyone?
