Life is a Highway- Day 2

Day 2- 10 hours in the car

At the museum with Pas and Grandma Chapman

Dancing with Doug and Cat

Dancing with Uncle Russ and Aunt Jody

Aunt Katy getting loves from her boys.

Day 2 we drove from Missoula, Montana to Cody, Wyoming. We got to meet Pas and Grandma Chapman at the Buffalo Bill Museum for a quick look around. After that we headed down for a great dinner and dancing in a barn to celebrate Doug and Cat's wedding. It was a lot of fun. That night we drove to Billings and spent the night with the Goodman family. They were so kind to accommodate all of us!!

Life is a Highway- Day 3

Day 3- 2 hours in the car

Dancing with Uncle Doug

Dancing with Aunt Heather and Uncle Reid

Sweethearts, Mr. M and Grandma Chapman

Susie, Katy, Russ, Reid, Cat, Doug, David, Mom, Jody

The wedding in Billings, Montana was beautiful. My brother found such a wonderful girl to marry. I am excited for Doug and Catherine. They will have a wonderful, fun life together.

After the wedding we went back to the Goodmans house where they hosted a nice lunch and let the kids play in the pool. They were the best hosts!!

The reception in Cody, Wyoming was so fun. There was great food and a lot of dancing. The kids really enjoyed the dancing! That night we slept in a fun little cabin with my brother David and his wife Crystal. It was a full, fun day.

Life is a Highway- Day 4

Day 4- 8 hours in the car

On Sunday after the wedding we went to church with the Cody, Wyoming 3rd ward then went on our way down a bunch of highways to Utah. It was a pretty uneventful drive with not much to look at. At one point, however, I saw a turnoff to look at one of the old wagon trails. We stopped and I am so glad that we did. It was so amazing! It was called the parting of the ways. It was close to where the pioneers would have to decide to go south to California or North to Oregon. The placard that was there was so inspiring and as we stood there we could see the tracks going on to Cali. and another set going on to Oregon!!! In this pict the kids are standing on the Oregon Trail!!!

Life is a Highway- Days 5-6

No significant driving on these days.

When we reached Utah we went to Pa's and Grandma Chapman's new house. It was so much fun to spend time with family some more. The kids had a sleepover at Aunt Susie's and a great pancake breakfast with Grandma. Then we went to buy BYU clothing at the bookstore and toured BYU. Mr. M wanted a picture by the engineering building...setting his sights!! That evening we went to swim at Aunt Katy's pool and had a great time.

The next morning we got up bright and early to hike the Y with Aunt Jody and Aunt Heather and Cousin Isa. It was quite the hike but everyone made it to the top. After that we went straight to Seven Peaks and played all day then crashed in Aunt Heather's apt. for a movie party. We packed it in and had a great time!!

Life is a Highway- Days 7-8

Day 7- 4.5 hours in the car

We had a fantastic time at the first ever Denice Vance family reunion. We went camping at Zion Ponderosa Campground in southern Utah. Some highlights were making bracelets with Aunt Carissa, chicken fights and swimming in the pool, playing games with the uncles and aunts, eating yummy food, going on a zip line, basketball shooting tournaments and much more. All of Dad's family was there. It was a blast for everyone. We are already looking forward to the next reunion.

Life is a Highway- Day 9

Day 9- 5 minutes in car (horray!!!)

We got to go to Clear Creek Ranch for the Gardner reunion. It was a blast. We got to see lots of cousins, eat great food, dance, go on a hay ride, have a fun camp fire and, of course, chat and laugh. What a great family!!!

Life is a Highway- Days 10-11

Day 10- 10 hours in the car
Day 11- 8 hours in the car

In these last two days of the trip we traveled through the forgotten highways of Nevada, up to see my best friend from high school, Elisa, and her family. Then went to church the next day and headed up through some greener areas of Northern California and back to good old home sweet home. I am soooo glad to be home.