It has been a joy to be so close to Sarah and her family for the last two weeks. We still have another few days and they seem to be slipping by way too fast.
We've enjoyed extended time with cousins and Sarah and I have accomplished a lot. She continues to be as creative as ever and has in the last few years become one of my favorite photographers. I have looked forward to the chance of having our family picture taken by her and it did not disappoint! She is amazing.
I can't get over these pictures! I've never had family pictures I've actually wanted to hang on the wall before. If you ever get the chance to have Sarah take your picture do not miss it!
We had the family photography session in Joshua Tree National Park here in the California desert and then we stayed for a sunset picnic and star-gazing.
That weird looking cactus/tree/plant/thing is a Joshua Tree.
The kids have been enjoying the atypical neighborhood culture that can often now only be found on a military base. In what could be considered the ultimate gated community kids here roam freely like we used to when we were their age. Maddie, Jack and Caden have enjoyed every minute of it. They've played with their cousins and their cousin's friends, riding bikes with them around the neighborhood and even (gasp) to the mini-mart by themselves! Pick up games of tag, war, and basketball abound, filling their days. Late night family dinners and occasional sleepovers have filled their nights. They are in heaven.
Josh has been able to enjoy a few peaceful mornings or afternoons at the rig by himself but he's also been a huge help with the kids as Sarah and I knock out one project after the other. I went blonde and short again because, why not? I'd only trust Sarah to do it and she was willing! We've cleaned out a few areas in their house and she's given me the joy to help her purge stuff and organize. It's been heaven for me too, really.
We're here another few days and then we're headed back east. We're taking it much slower than we did on the trek out and we're looking forward to that. Whereas before we stayed places 1-3 nights, now we are staying for typically a week at a time - two weeks at one stop!
The planned route is back through the same states but further south. Arizona, New Mexico and then finally Texas where we will be for almost two months. Josh has the opportunity to take some training courses on RV repair. He's always been interested in (and really good at) home and auto repairs. He's always had to do the research himself utilizing YouTube so to have the opportunity to sit under an experienced instructor and learn all about the different systems, etc is really exciting! We will be staying at an RV park adjacent to the training school so he can walk or bike to class and the kids and I can hang out and play with the other kids who will be there.
This adventure has answered far more than we ever dared hope for it. And it has only just begun.
Comments