Spaghetti Western: Part II

We've come quite a distance since we last posted from Billings, MT - about 1,000 miles, give or take a few.

Thursday morning we set out for Missoula, MT to visit the Massey clan. On our way, we stopped in Bozeman, MT for lunch and had the good fortune to run into the Johnstones - though we didn't have the good sense to get a decent photo. After a brief stop in Butte, we arrived in Missoula and went straight to see Casey, Richard, Moana & Mouse Massey. Every chance I get to spend time with my bff is gold to me, and we loved seeing all the changes to their crafty abode since we were last there three+ years ago. Of course, Luca loved being with Moana, who he adores.


We had a short but sweet visit with the Masseys, and after breakfast on Friday we headed toward Big Sky, taking the gravel road-extremely-less-traveled along Rock Creek as recommended by Richard & Casey. Along the way we ran into some mountain goats, and T's inner nature lover came to the fore.



Yesterday evening we arrived at the Lucas homestead in Big Sky, a place that has special significance in the family since it was here that T lost his Grandpa 15 years ago. Visiting was a special opportunity that this trip afforded.

This morning we woke early to take on our biggest driving day yet, from Big Sky to Park City, UT. We watched the sun come up and the steam rise from the river as we drove toward Yellowstone, and were greeted soon after entering the park by one its larger residents (pictured far left).

We were completely captivated by Yellowstone and nearly couldn't believe our luck when in a moment of great road karma, we pulled up to Old Faithful just in time for an eruption.


We took our time driving through Yellowstone and decided to suffer a little road construction to keep on the scenic drive through the Tetons, stopping in Jackson for a lunch break and photo opportunity in the town square.


With five more hours of driving ahead of us, we got back on the road and hightailed it for Utah. Our sweet Luca slept about half of the way, and was just nearing the end of his rope as we pulled into Park City. Tonight we're road weary but happy to be in Utah after a great first leg of our western adventure!

Spaghetti Western: Part I

When we found out a few months ago that T’s job offer had been pushed out several months, we mulled over some options and quickly decided that we should take the time to do something adventurous. We considered going to Europe for a month or two, but that seemed both too expensive for the semi-employed and too fraught with challenges particular to traveling with a small child. T tried to sell me on a trip to South America, which sounded good until he showed me a photo of what I thought was the moon and turned out to be the area he most wanted to visit. In the end, we decided on the classic American adventure: a road trip.

With a selection of places to stay out west, we opted to plot our course in that direction. We took time this summer to plan and prepare, and targeted a departure date in early September. We didn’t want to miss Papa & Gigi’s anniversary party over Labor Day weekend, a decision which turned out to be wise. The whole weekend was filled with friends and family and one-of-a-kind occasions – like shopping for Nic’s wedding dress – and the culminating party was one of the best we can recall. We’re so happy for them.

Come Tuesday morning, we packed the necessities into the Subaru, bid farewell to our friends and our house (left clean enough for showings - since we decided to put it on the market recently) and headed toward North Dakota via 94. After stopping for dinner and new running shoes for T in Fargo, we drove through a thunderstorm on to Jamestown where we saw front, back and undercarriage of the world’s largest buffalo.

This morning we hit the road again, and after stopping at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora we finished with NoDak (a newly learned shorthand) and crossed over into Montana. Not long after we entered Montana, we got a call from our friend/realtor letting us know that Murphy’s Law is working and there's an offer on our house now that we're out of town - so we have that to mull over from our Billings, MT Super 8 motel room!

Tomorrow we are off to Missoula to see the Masseys. Luca has been as good a road companion as possible for a 14-month-old, and charmed the pants off of everyone in his proximity at dinner tonight. We hope to treat him to a shorter day of driving tomorrow.

Goodnight from the Super8!


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State Fair

We had so much fun at the state fair. Maybe a little too much of the fun came in the form of Sweet Martha's chocolate chip cookies, which the little monster loved. We can't wait for next year.

Pool Day

Around here, the light has shifted just enough to remind us that summer won't last forever. Luckily, Papa & Gigi invited us to the pool to soak up some sunshine while it lasts. Luca hadn't yet dunked into the big pool, so T took him for a spin around the shallow end.

Rock Tot

With no prompting from us, this weekend Luca learned how to stick out his tongue, and discovered that it's a funny trick best performed on repeat. Here he is, showing it off for Auntie Sara at an impromptu taco & inflated pool party at the Johnson 5's house.

We rounded out the weekend with a picnic in the park, and happened to catch a Led Zeppelin cover band at the bandshell. Our little rocker took the opportunity to work on his dance moves and reveled in the craziness of a late summer night at the park.

WE Fest '09 - Part II (from THR)

It seems to me like this iphone pic should have been included in the WE Fest blog post to prove that while A did indeed miss the little lump, she managed to enjoy herself as well.



If memory serves, this pic was taken during a rocking version of Bad, Bad Leroy Brown which so moved the audience that some (actually just Matt) were inspired to rush the stage and begin working out...

WE Fest '09

We are fresh home from a weekend of country living at WE Fest in Detroit Lakes. As you can see, T didn't have any fun at all.

Though the Vikings cheerleaders were a treat, the best part of the weekend was spending time with friends who came all the way from San Francisco to get down with the midwest country crew. And on top of the usual WE Fest fun, our host was in the midst of making a documentary on the experience. Watching him at work was exciting...especially when he was waving at us from a boom up 80 feet in the air.

The biggest deal of the weekend for me was that I spent my first nights away from our little treasure. Luca spent Friday and Saturday with Papa & Gigi, and though dropping him off and driving away was no fun at all, Gigi's text and photo updates were very reassuring. The smidge clearly had a fantastic time - so much so that we were relieved that he still seemed happy to see us when we picked him up yesterday. Luckily his souvenir from the weekend - a new drum - has helped the transition!

Bathtime, all the time

Here's Luca's new favorite game, which would most aptly be called "Throw Everything in the Tub." Morningtime, nighttime, bathtime, they're all good times to scoot into the bathroom and sweetly demand toys, then use them to test gravity. Who could say no to that face?

Self-Taught Dancing Baby

Luca has been trying out some new dance moves lately, and we like the direction his choreography is taking. Ground breaking.
It's strange how babies have an instinct to dance. You may or may not be surprised to hear that A and I don't do a whole lot of dancing around the house, yet whenever Luca hears a good beat he knows just what to do. We can't wait to see how his moves evolve once he's up on his feet.

First Steps

Though this looks like a photo of Luca merely leaning on an empty plastic bucket, what you are actually looking at is a picture of Luca walking with a little assistance from an empty plastic bucket. Thinking back on his memories of Aunt Nic learning to walk with some help from an upturned laundry basket, T emptied the Lego Quatro bin (thanks, Cousin Nathan!!) and VOILA! Luca was off and inching his way across the carpet. Time for the next round of baby-proofing!

The Never Evers

Yesterday's unseasonably cool temps didn't hold us back from heading to the Mill City Farmers Market for organic snap peas and a performance by the Never Evers - aka T, Charlie, and Jesse. The fellas did a bang up job of entertaining us all, and were also conveniently on hand with mics when the news came in that Baby Hegstrom arrived on Saturday morning. Congratulations to Marjorie & Erik!

Belated: Luca at 1 year old

We've been allowing blog entries to slip to the bottom of the to-do list lately, mostly because of our little master of ceremonies' increased mobility. Long story short, he's got us on the run and so we're just getting around to our final 1st birthday post...

Dear Luca,

You are one year old! All in the same moment, it feels like you've always been with us and like you just arrived yesterday. This first year of your life has flown by like no other we've known.

When we first brought you home, we didn't know much about you. Let's face it, we didn't know much about babies and probably still don't. But we've relished getting to know you over these first months of your life, and think of you less as a baby and more as a critical member of the team.

Everywhere you go, you leave a wake of happy women behind. From your stroller-throne, you point at them and wave, flashing a toothy smile. In the airport, on the street, at the grocery store, you always find a new friend. Lately you've developed a tendency toward silliness and have added to your repertoire a new head-grabbing routine that you find hilarious. You save your sloppy, openmouth kisses for mom and dad.

At times you muster a lot of intensity. When you are working on something new, or trying your hardest to get the balloon/toy/door/etc., you do a kind of huffy, lamaze breathing, furrow your brow, and charge on all fours towards the object of your interest. And let no one get between you and your food. You are admired for your appetite and the variety of foods you like, which your picky-eater-parents hope you keep up.

As is to be expected, we often find ourselves in discussions about who you look like. Though you almost certainly have your Papa's nose, an Allen jaw and Henderson eyes, you have a spirit and personality that is brand new and all your own.

Luca Thomas, 1 year old

Birthday shots

For Luca's 1st birthday, we decided to hire a professional photographer to capture how sweet his is right now. Though we felt a little silly about it since we've accumulated hundreds of pictures of him since he was born, once Amy the photographer arrived and got started, we knew we'd made a good decision. Luca was taken with her immediately and let his little light shine bright, as is evident in the sneak peek photos on Amy's blog.

http://www.3peasphotography.com/blog/archives/670

Luca Turns 1!

Our little ham sandwich has turned one. We can't believe it.
We spent birthday eve at Papa & Gigi's with the Johnsons and Marsdens. Luca enjoyed delicious cheese pizza, as well as his first taste of birthday cake.
Today we revisited cake to make sure he really likes it, and he does.
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful birthday wishes!
Happy birthday, Luca sweetie!