Lucky Lander Land

Jameson and I had made plans to visit Lander over President's Day weekend. That didn't happen, so I made Jameson take yesterday off of work so we could visit my family just this past weekend. As always, Lander holds many hidden surprises and treasures . . .

Packer did so well on the ride up. Probably because we left around the time he goes to bed anyway, so he pretty much just slept the whole way there. However, once we were in Lander, that act dropped and he slept the worst that he ever has. There was one night I had to sit up with him and let him sleep on my ample bosom while I watched disney movies on Netflix. Just bear that in mind when you see pictures of me later.

Saturday we went to Cabin Fever Books -- a long time staple of Lander WY that has lots of books and some wicked sweet kitchen equipment. The owner, MaryAnn Hoyt is closing down shop because she is a grandma and wants to focus her life in directions other than making oodles and oodles of noodles (and money). She goes to our church and I have known her pretty well our whole life. My mom kind of spoiled us rotten this weekend and bought Packer and ourselves lots of fun things! We definitely had a hay day at MaryAnn's place. Everything was 30% off, and Mom and I kind of loose our heads over closing sales. Anyway, we had a giant pile of things on the counter when MaryAnn brought out some very fancy kitchen knives. I mentioned that I needed knives (I do) and mom said I could pick one out, then MaryAnn picked two out for me and gifted them to me! It was so generous and nice. It reminded me how supportive my hometown is.

Packer was so in love with my parents -- it was kind of weird, since he doesn't know them super well, but he took to them like a fish to water. He is usually a bit more cautious around folks he doesn't know well.

Moving on -- Sunday was kind of a disaster for Packer at church, so I didn't get to stay for Relief Society. Kind of a big bummer for me, mainly because I was looking for my friend Morgan Douglas who was my friend at SJHS, LVHS AND college. She is now a Vet in Lander and her husband is a Vet Tech with her! My Junior year of college, we were both moving into our apartments, and we both kind of screamed when we saw each other moving in -- turns out we had each moved 300 miles + just to be next door neighbors.

This is Morgan and her husband, Ben. They met on a guest ranch that they were both wranglers for -- they are buying a house in Lander now. So fun to see her and how she has changed and grown as a person!

Finally on Monday before we left, we went to visit the Sinks and the Rise with Packer Man. It was cold, but so fun just to go out and do something! It reminded me that we don't really need to be connected to our devices to be connected to people that we love, and that shared experiences are sometimes the glue that holds families and friends together. Definitely some motivation to go out and have some fun!

This is at the Rise of the Sinks -- I just love this shot of them walking down the pier with Packer staring over Jameson's shoulder.

My sweet mom and dad looking really great and the Sinks.

That's right -- we love each other. A LOT!!!

We braved the icy trail down to where the river goes underground. My Dad said some interesting stuff regarding some caves in the area where you can see the river flowing underground. You can tell Packer is done with the cold -- his nose is bright red.

This is about how the trip went -- Dad laughing, Mom vaguely amused, and Jameson really excited to show Packer what was up.

Good Book to Read: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margartet Stohl -- since the movie is coming out, I really wanted to get this read. Now I have to somehow justify buying the rest of the series . . .

Good music to listen to: Brand New -- I will play my game beneath the spin lights. I love the lyrics on this song: I would kill for the Atlantic, but I am paid to make girls to panic . . . when I sing.