I drove with Paige and her boys from Portland to Gillette, Wyoming so she could spend a few weeks with DeNae and her kids. DeNae has kids that are just Remy and the twins age so it's lots of fun for them to play with cousins at DeNae's house. We took our time driving and saw lots of fun things along the way. When we got to Billings, Montana Paige dropped me off at the airport so I could fly to Buffalo, New York for my 30th high school reunion...what a blast! After my weekend in Buffalo I flew back to Montana where Paige and DeNae picked me up and drove me to Gillette. I spent a week in Gillette visiting with my parents and sisters that live there. So much fun family time together:)
We stopped to see Multnomah Falls...
...and the Bonneville Dam...
...where we saw lots of salmon using the fish ladders!
Getting some wiggles out in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. We stopped here for the night and the boys were all happy to get out of the car.
The next morning we drove to meet a friend of Paige's that had just moved from Virginia earlier in the summer. It was really nice to see them and the boys all played with their friends they hadn't seen for a few months...
...and they also had baby chickens!
Ali with his friend Casey, so cute:)
We hopped back in the car after our visit and made a pit stop in Missoula, Montana. They had a beautiful hand carved carousel the boys loved
Then we had some ice-cream and played at a really cool playground...then back in the car
Made it to Billings, Montana where we stopped at a playground and ate some dinner. The next morning Paige dropped me at the airport and then finished driving to Gillette, Wyoming alone
Got to Buffalo where Josh Allen from the Buffalo Bills was there to greet me:)
I stayed at my friend Pam's Aunt Joyces apartment, she was super nice to let me stay for the weekend:)
Aunt Linda (who lives in the downstairs apartment) made yummy smoothies for breakfast!
RSP (Rachelle Sara Pam) back together! We went to Canal Side festival and had lots of fun walking around all the vendors...
Got some new Buffalo Bills earrings!
Celebrating the Erie Canal (behind us) at Canal Side Festival!
When in Buffalo you have to get beef on weck!
After canal side we hung out at the Bertram's house. Sarah and Kyle (on the left) are Pam's cousins but I grew up with them because they all lived so close to Pam's house and I was always over there!
With Pam's Aunts and Uncles...these people all helped raise me and I love them for being so welcoming and loving while I was growing up.
The next morning I went for a "Buffalo Westside Mafia" walking tour with Pam's mom and her husband Lou as well as Pam's son Ronan (pictured here) I learned a lot about the history of Buffalo as well as the crazy stuff that went down with the Italian mafia back in the early days!
Pam and Sara didn't go on the walking tour because they were off getting matching tattoos...I felt jealous when they got home so Sara drew a Bison on my arm with a sharpie so I could be part of the group:)
La Nova pizza and wings...another must eat while in Buffalo!
Saying goodbye to Sara. I love these girls so much!
Gloria (Pam's mom) Ronan (Pam's son) and Pam...3 generations!
At my 30th hight school reunion. These were the only other "Theater Majors" that made it to the reunion. Sad that more couldn't be there but we had so much fun catching up and hanging out.
The whole group that came. My graduating class was only 99 people so not a huge class but I was sad more people (that live right in Buffalo!) didn't come. Hopefully we can get more people for the 40th! I still had a blast chatting with everyone and seeing them all again.
We drove to our old high school to get a photo. It's not used anymore due to asbestos issues but I have some wonderful memories of this place.
Anderson's frozen custard...perfect way to end a weekend trip to Buffalo
Paige and DeNae drove to Billings, Montana to pick me up. We did a big shopping trip at Costco while we were there!
Ali found this cute little ice-cream stand and he went around all week asking people if they wanted ice cream. Grandma was happy to play
Sisters and Mom playing skip-bo
DeNae's son (Ethan) came home from his mission to Las Vegas. It was super fun to be there to welcome him home!
I joined my parents for lunch at the Senior Center. It's super convenient for them to walk over there everyday for lunch. I'm glad they have this service close by.
Best pizza ever...why is it in Gillette, Wyoming????
I took the boys to the pool
More game playing with family
We went to a working Bison ranch and got a great little tour
We even got to get up "close" to the bison
I got to go to the Casper, Wyoming LDS Temple so Matthew could take out his endowment. He will be leaving for his mission to California soon. It's so crazy DeNae had one son come home and one son leave so close together!
DeNae with her beautiful family
Getting the food ready for the big open house DeNae was throwing for Ethan's homecoming and Matt's farewell.
My Mom and Dad with 5 of their 8 children...not too bad:)
I woke up super early to go to the gym for the early morning water walk my parents do with Tanya. They meet from 6-7 AM every day! Too early for my taste BUT I can do it once just to hang out with family:)
We explored a cool history museum in Gillette
Then saying goodbye to everyone else. Man this was hard! I knew I wouldn't see these DeShetler boys for over a year and it was really hard to let go. Graham was crying and then it made me cry and then Paige started crying...it was a mess. I had to get in my car and start my drive back to Oregon but I was crying for a good portion of that trip!
Last Ali hug. He will be so big when I see him again!
I saw an absolutely gorgeous sunset on my drive to Missoula, Montana were I stayed the night
Best part of the drive was getting lunch in Spokane, Washington at Cafe Rio the next day:)
Made it home. Peter was happy to see me. What a crazy summer I had!
