Steeler Country!

We have done our best to keep up with Steeler games this year and the boys have enjoyed becoming fans. Here's the family during an early season game.

For those on Facebook-- you will have also noticed some of John's status updates about driving cross-country. Yes, we are back in Pittsburgh! We won't let ourselves get so far behind with posts this time, but we made the trek for Thanksgiving and are thrilled to be back with John's family.

Showing off the new terrible towel- Go Steelers!


I got the ball!


My turn!


Tackle Daddy!


Making Daddy work!


I finally got it away from the kids!

First Day of Preschool!

Travis has been so thrilled to go to preschool this year and just loves his teacher and classmates. He's one of four kids, and the only boy, so he gets a lot of great attention and is doing incredibly well.

Here he is before his first day...

Happy to be back in Oregon!

We were all happy to be home after the month long journey-- and the boys seemed happy to be back at the homestead.

Here is Travis modeling his new rain boots in an outfit of his choosing...


Luke was thrilled to see all of his toys again!


And they even seemed happy to see all of our dirt again!

Almost Home!

The drive home from Colorado was absolutely beautiful. The little mountain towns are just adorable, not to mention the huge mountains in between.

We started pretty high going over Molass Pass- at over 10,000 feet in elevation


View from the top of the pass...scenic!


Silverton...


The Red Mountain Mining District


Cool tunnel...a little wet!


Adorable Ouray...aka little Switzerland


Random...but full of character!


Coal Bank Pass


Somewhere in between Telluride and Moab...wish we could remember the name!

Durango, CO

We stayed an extra day in Durango, rested from driving, and really enjoyed running around playing tourists.

John made it out for a hike (he likes to live like we are in a real life Toyota commercial!)


Travis seemed to feel right at home...


We visited the Honeyville Bee farm and enjoyed samples of yummy honey. We also had fun with the bear out front!


Travis got a kick out of the bees making honey inside...


We all had fun at a local park...


Even Daddy got into the slide!


We all loved our visit with Amy!


And Luke loved the attention-- as usual!


Love loves the swing!


This is where we stayed in Durango-- thank you Gigi & Poppi!

Beautiful Colorado

Colorado was a much anticipated stop on the way home from the east coast. We picked up our dear friend Amy in Denver and she journeyed with us to Durango for a visit.

We made a quick pit stop to say hello to Mark (aka Skip) and Travis took to him instantly...


We stopped in Idaho Springs for smoothies and sandwiches...there goes Amy and the boys!


What a cute town!


John was excited to drive through infamous Leadville-- cloud city-- a city at over 10,000 feet!


We continued the theme of seeing rainbows, which were amazing against the beautiful landscape


We grabbed dinner at an adorable cantina in between Denver and Durango...


And finally, we were thrilled to make it to Durango. Look at John getting into the part! We felt right at home being back in the trees.


Travis instantly made himself at home and began to decorate our accommodations with his cars.

The Journey West

After Niagar Falls, we headed west and were excited to be getting home. We made lots of random park stops and were always delighted with the beautiful places across the country.

Here we are at a park somewhere in the mid-west


The boys had a blast throwing rocks in the water


Travis in action


Luke