The Tangrens

After Topeka and the 2^nd cousins there were no scheduled stops besides gas and food until Utah. Some 16 plus hours of driving with nothing to look forward to until the end. We knew  this would be the hardest leg of the trip and the boys were already ready to be home.  We decided now was the time to break out the secret weapon and plug them in. I figured we’d have them fighting over what to be watching but we rathered that then the constant “I want to go home. When are we going to be home?  I don’t even remember what our house looks like anymore!”  We set up the screens last night and remembered that they each can play different movies if you want. Perfect! We then realized the need for earphones though.

 But before long they were both lost in their respective passions.

And Elijah fell asleep


I sat in the front with Derek and sighed, I thought I might actually be able to sit beside my husband and chat.  Then 5 minutes later came the call for snacks, then drinks, then a new movie and another and another ( just from Noah ) I realized that this didn’t necessarily buy me a ticket to the front seat for the duration of the trip, but certainly more time up front anyway.

It wasn’t long before Hyrum couldn’t wait the 10 minutes while the car was filled with gas to have his movie playing again, and for Noah, who is not as much of a movie watcher, fall asleep.

As we cruised across Kansas we expected to see acres upon acres of corn but found mostly dried up fields and even some that had been cut down already. When we saw this we weren't surprised and were happy to sail along in our air conditioned van.


We did see a field of sunflowers which was really cool but I wasn't quick enough with the camera to get a picture. Sadly we never saw another.

We drove in to the Denver area less than 24 hours after the 12 people were killed in a movie theater by a deranged man and were treated to a spectacular sunset. We saw something of the divine in it.

The boys hit the hotel and started to strip down to go swimming. 

They swam for a good long time, while Elijah lounged and laughed at the reflection of the hot tub water on the windows above.

I’m sure today was their favorite day of the trip, movies all day and topped off with swimming.

Hyrum is doing really well with the water he’ll just go jump in and Noah has a big more respect for the water. Good on both counts. J

They went to sleep really quickly tonight as well. YAHOO!