460 MDG CoC

Matt's Change of Command was on a beautiful sunny, incredibly windy, Tuesday morning. Matt hoped he didn't forget his speech, Maxwell hoped our seats weren't against the wind for the sake of his hair and I hoped and prayed the wind didn't carry my dress above my head. Maxwell's hair was an absolute mess at the end of the ceremony but Matt's speech was perfectly on point and I did not pull a Marilyn Monroe. Two for 3 is pretty good in my book.

The men and women of the 460th MDG

Matt's best friend, Sean, flew in from Nebraska 

The streak lives on -- 

my parents have never missed one of Matt's promotion's or ceremony's

The Hanson Family 

Ready or not...here we go...

Welcome Home

My favorite quote, "Home isn't where you live, but where they understand you", couldn't be more true. Matt, the kids and I came into Colorado together. We unlocked the front door to our house together and together we'll make it a home.

Afternoon storms were our first welcome into Colorado

After a week of being in the TLF we were going crazy so we decided to move into the house even though we didn't have our household goods yet. It was just like camping...and I don't like camping. I mean, camping in a hotel or cabin with hot tub or pool??  I'm in. Camping for real? Not so much. This was kind of 'not so much' but MUCH better than losing my mind in lodging.

Flowers in a Camelbak and an empty house 

And then, one day, guess what showed up??

Quote of the Day by Vivian

Vivian and I were watching Cake Wars together when she said...

Viv: Just so you know, Mom. These two boys are married. They're lesbians. 

Ummm, ok. At least she's open minded and accepting, if not slightly confused.

Ames, Iowa

It had been waaaay too long since we all five of us went to Ames together. Embarrassingly too long. It was a quick three days but we really did have a great visit. The kids had a ball with their cousins -- Will and Henry were absolutely inseparable which was awesome to see.

Probably the highlight of Matt's trip -- seeing this as we came into town

Matt took Viv and Claira out and about town...

...two peas in a pod...

A trip to Ames is never complete without a trip down (Matt's) memory lane

Go Cyclones!!

July 4th at the Ledges State Park. 

Matt took the boys canoeing and Elayna and I 

sat and watched the girls do this for hours.

So much fun!

No man trip (or day) is ever complete without a jump

The Hanson/Ropp men

Grandma and Grandpa with their two oldest grand boys. 

Next up...

Aurora, Colorado 

Okoboji Lake, Iowa

Okoboji Lake was exactly what we all needed after having to leave "home". The sun was shining and the water was perfect. Seeing the kids smile and laugh after so many goodbyes and so many tears made my heart so very happy. That and I got a great tan. Winning all around.

Day 1

We made it to Fillenwarth Beach Resort.

First order of business...rent a boat

Day 2

We're on a boat!

There's nothing better than getting the first push into the lake

Wicket was totally unimpressed with this little outing

After daytime boating with the kids 

Matt and I headed off for an evening booze cruise. 

We've never met a booze cruise we didn't like. 

Day 3

Arnolds Park

Arnolds Park isn't your usual amusement park -- it's 125 years old 

and is the jack pot for good, old fashioned family fun. 

It was right next to Fillenwarth's so the kids

 were able to walk back and forth throughout the day -- it was perfect!

The boys talked Viv into this...

Once. She went on The Legend once

This was much more her speed

Day 4 

The boys left us for another day at Arnolds Park so Matt, Viv and I 

found ourselves a couple of little spots on the lake and settled in. 

We were so sad to not have anything to do...can't you tell??

Later that evening Vivian finally, first the first time ever, won King of the Hill. 

#likeaboss

And then there was the sunset...

Day 5

Cousins! 

Elayna brought Will and Claira out to the lake for the day. 

Another boat and another awesome day.

I think Vineyard Vines is calling...

Day 6

Next up...

Ames, Iowa