On a jet plane and headed to my Home Away From Home…

Yep, that means another trip to Colorado.  You know, I used to spend my vacations in Europe.  Between graduate school and an adorable five year old nephew I seem to spend every available vacation in Colorado.  I love my sisters and brother-in-law, but seriously, who am I kidding…that kid is a natural draw for every trip.

This trip started with letting my sister, Laura, know that I was available for a week visit and a long weekend visit anytime through the summer months…and I didn’t really care when.  So she emailed about a month ago requesting assistance with Ryan and Cade’s Fifth Birthday Party on the 10th of July. (Ryan’s best friend, Cade, turns five on 11 July.)  Then she and I talked about the Fourth Holiday Weekend, and suddenly I had tickets to head to CO on 30 June and return home on the 11th of July.  Yup, that means I am walking away from the office for 11 days, 6 official work days.  Leaving for me is so much work.  I just finished up ten days in a row, totaling about 125 working hours.  Crazy, but well worth it now that I am headed east.

So, the first part of the vacation will be spent on a lake in Nebraska.  Lake McConaughy is a regular location for the Johnson Family, but a first for me.  Sadie tells me to be ready for a sandy weekend…huh!!  I am just ready for some waterskiing, evening boat rides with the girls and relaxed fire pit evenings.  I love camping with the family.  Great food and tons of laughter, what’s not to love. The second part of the vacation will be spent at the Johnson’s, aka. Ryan’s house.  I have requested Ryan all week, which means I have a buddy to play with all week.  I have also requested the Kunz kids.  You would think that having three kids is not a vacation, but they are so fun and love spending time together.  So we will do picnic’s and hit the local water park.  I will also be spending my time prepping for Ryan and Cade’s birthday party.

I may be returning home exhausted, but I am going to enjoy every minute of this vacation and trip to Colorado all the more due to the pending Peace Corps service.  I will miss my trips to Colorado when I am halfway around the world in a few short months.