Because we've had an unusually busy summer.

This post was mostly written yesterday.
We're just hunkered down at home, lounging around with soda crackers. ...Doterra oil aromas hanging in the air. ...On our 6th or 7th Disney movie and our 7th or 8th load of laundry. All we need to add are some episodes of Price is Right and we'd be nailing the definition of sickness, in my book. Maren's had a cold and Clara is recovering from the flu. While she's engaged in Lady and the Tramp, and Maren's busying herself with emptying the bookshelves, I figured I'd blog. Because we're just going nutty with road trips lately.

Two weekends ago we drove a short jaunt to Sacramento so we could attend Lily's baptism. It was a new route for both me and Tom—just a ridiculously long stretch through the famed northern Nevada—with some real nice sights along the way. Such as: the salt flats (these were actually pretty cool), the Morton Salt Factory (not as cool but definitely still worth mentioning), a considerable amount of desert, the ever-inviting Wendover and even more appealing Elko, plus the real treat was spotting OJ's current residence—Nevada's finest—Lovelock Correctional Facility. If that list doesn't have you packing your bags for northern Nevada, then I don't know how to help you.

But—good news—once we were about 10 hours into it, the drive actually did turn beautiful because we reached California's Tahoe area. Gorgeous! And despite the long drive, it was one hundred percent worth it because we always have such a great time with Tom's fam. (Missed you, Shelly and fam!)

Then last weekend some friends in our ward invited us to Moab for one night of camping and then hiking in Arches National Park. It's kind of nuts how much stuff you have to bring for one night of camping—and fitting all of it into our trusty Altima really tested my packing skills (I inherited my dad's renowned packing skills. He's awesome at it—I'm awesome at it. I fully expect my own children to be awesome at it). We had a lot of fun, but unfortunately, while we sawed logs all night long our friends' little boy was throwing up all night. So they didn't have nearly as much fun. Anyway, take a look at our scenic camping spot. It was big on serenity AND critters of all kinds. So that's kind of an oxymoron.

You'll notice Maren is roaming around sans clothing in a lot of these—because camping in the buff is all the rage for these young whippersnappers. But mainly, it was warm enough that night that she could sleep in just her diaper—and my, was she a fan of that! Tom, Clara and I got up in the morning and she just kept on snoozing, which is very uncharacteristic of Maren. She doesn't like to miss the party by sleeping.

 

What road will the Giles crew head out on next? Actually, I do know that answer, because we're headed to Sedona in a fortnight (ha! A fortnight! I'm high-fiving myself right now for sounding so medieval). This too will be uncharted territory for the likes of us—but I'm eager to get there—because, apparently—and you're gonna wanna hear this—Sedona is known for having vortexes. Vortexes that make the place a spiritual Disneyland. (I'm not making this up—I do my research.) So, yeah.

Stay tuned for an update of our annual trip to the zoop! (That's zoo, with a p.)

Fare thee well!