August 24, 2026-Ultimate Utah Adventure Day 3

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I slept well last night, but I did keep waking up wondering what time it was. I was always super glad to see that the clock was not nearing wake up time. We still slept in a bit, but ended up leaving at 8:30 this morning.

Our trip was smooth again today. However, there were a few hiccups: 1. Marley hurt her paw somehow and started limping. We trimmed a bit of it off though, and she seemed fine tonight. 

2. The camper wouldn't move out of low gear on the hills, but that fixed itself (probably with all the prayers I was sending up.) 

3. Most of the way today was construction, and most of the construction was during the mountain passes. I'm not sure how stressful this was for Robby, but I was a nervous wreck. 

4. The generator stopped while we were driving which terrifies us since we have had to replace it before (not cheap) However, Robby knew it was just an easy fix because of the altitude, and it started right back up. 

5. Anderson wrote saying his phone got crushed today by a weight. We have ordered him a replacement, plus Pops is able to get him Reagan's old phone tomorrow. (Anderson has started the semester off with a broken phone and a broken monitor. I hate he is having to start his semester off like this, but he said, "it can only go up from here.")

So we did have a few hiccups, but honestly, everything went super smoothly.

We stopped a few times today at gas stations. At one of them, we were all outside with the dogs when it started pouring, and we all had to run to the camper. 

Our main stop today though was in Golden, Colorado. They have a huge Golden Retriever festival in February. However, today, it was just our Goldens walking around the town. It was a super cute mountain town with a stream running through the middle. The stream had people floating in inner tubes. It was one of those things that we wished we could have known about ahead of time so we could have done it.

Even though the mountain passes semi terrified me, they were still beautiful. The last section that we went through was the most beautiful. I with that I would have thought about taking a picture. 

We arrived at our campground in Fruita, Colorado around 6. It is a pull through spot which makes things so easy. Robby unhooked the car, the kids brushed the dogs, and I made English muffin pizzas for our supper. After supper, Robby and I went on a walk by the Colorado river. It was a bit longer than expected, and we made it back just as it became very dark.

When I came back in the camper, the kids were already working on their school work. It didn't take them too long just like it didn't take us too long to clean the camper after supper. Keaton and Campbell have had their showers and now it might have mine...or I might read a little bit.

August 23, 2026-Ultimate Utah Adventure Day 2

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Marley was not the most cooperative last night. Robby moved her kennel to a much more comfortable spot, but I guess it wigged her out. She fussed enough that he took her our and moved it back to the regular spot. Of course, she quickly figured our her ticket out and fussed until Robby relented.

I was so tired, that I was having a problem keeping up with what was going on. I could have let her bark for a bit longer since I was sleeping so well, but that might have disturbed the kids. Marley ended up sleeping with us, and she did very well. However, when we leave her during the week to explore, she will have to be in her kennel, and she probably won't like it!

We left the parking lot around 8 or 8:30 this morning. I'm not really sure what time it was, but things went incredibly smoothly today. We drove, we stopped for gas or for driver potty breaks, and we just drove some more over and over again. We did stop at one gas station and ate McDonalds ice cream while we let the dogs run in a dog park. 

Since we left yesterday, that changed the original stop that Robby had for tonight. Then throughout the day, he kept adjusting where he wanted to stop and finding new places for us. You can't just sleep anywhere so he has to do some research on each location. We have ended up at a little campground in Seibert, Colorado for the night.

It is little, but it is perfect for the night. We are right off the interstate, but just far enough away. Our site is a pull through so we didn't have to unhook the car, plus there was even a dog park. The girls took some pictures of the far off sunset, before we ate our barbecue for supper. 

After eating, we walked the dogs one more time. Then the kids and I played a game before we all settled in our beds. 

College kid update: Reagan was very happy to get back to her church in Arkadelphia. The boys both went to another church this morning. Anderson's monitor isn't working, so he is going to have to get a new one of those. And Graham said that so far school feels like summer camp, and he is having a blast. 

August 22, 2026-Sophomore Move in Day for Anderson and Ultimate Utah Adventure Day 1

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• The morning started early, but not quite as early as the day before. By the time that I woke up, Robby had already folded our laundry and was working on last minute trip things. I woke up Anderson, and he started on his last minute packing things.
• At 8:30, we left to take my little boy to college. I know he's been there a year already, but it still makes me sad especially that half of my crew is not home anymore. But they are just were they are supposed to be.
• We stopped to pick up breakfast this morning, but not at Buccees-we were changing things up. We had worried that move in today would be crazy, but it was relatively calm. We pulled up to the front door and unloaded everything. Then Robby got the things to the elevator, I brought them upstairs (on the elevator), and Anderson moved them to his room. It was incredibly smooth, and no one broke a sweat.
• Anderson's room was a bit tricky. How he wanted his room wouldn't work initially because there wasn't room for his desk. We tried another configuration, but that would mean the door wouldn't close, so we pivoted back to the original plan. 
• For this plan to work, Robby and Anderson had to take the bed frame apart, turn it over, and reinstall it. Robby has carried his tools with us all week and hasn't used them, but when they are needed, they are handy to have. This didn't take too long, so the next project was moving the crazy heavy furniture around so we could lay the rug down.
• Once the rug was laid, we started emptying bins pretty quick. We did most things, but Anderson was fine with us leaving a few things for him to do later. He said at lunch today that he wasn't why moving in stresses him out. We thought everything went really smoothly and weren't stressed at all. 
• Anderson's roommate showed up, so the room quickly got full. This is when Anderson said that he could just do the rest later. Everything was really done except for a few decorating things. Graham came by to see us-or possibly he came by to see Brooklyn. Either way, we were able to lay eyes on him and see that he is having a great time. He ran 4 miles this morning and was going to most of his Wow weekend activities.
• Robby and I were pretty sure that Anderson would choose to go to LPs, the Mexican restaurant we went to yesterday. Graham had picked it yesterday, and we had even discussed what we would get today. However, Anderson suggested Fat Boys, where we went last year when we dropped Anderson off.
• Our sandwiches were really good. Then we went to Reagan's room to drop off some books. She has really done a great job making her room adorable. Everything is just perfect. Then we took Anderson back to his room before saying goodbye to him. 
• Robby and I didn't stop at Buccees on the way home, but we did stop at Sonic to get drinks for Keaton and Whitman. Campbell had gone out to lunch with some friends and had just gotten home. 
• Robby and I worked for a few hours around the house and in the camper. Then I had to take myself a power nap because I was exhausted. When I woke up, it was time for us to start getting ready. 
• I had just text the kids saying we were leaving soon when my phone buzzed saying heavy rain was coming so we kicked it into high gear. Even though the wind was really blowing and the rain was starting, we were able to get out of town before the storm rolled through.
• We had smooth sailing until before Russellville when we ended up in another rainstorm. Robby had to work pretty hard because it was pretty windy, but we made it through just fine. We only stopped when we made it to our stop at Roland, Oklahoma.
• We filled the camper up with gas and then found ourselves a nice parking spot for the night. Once we were settled, Campbell and I did some math (we are trying to get ahead enough that we don't have to think about math for a few days.) 
• Robby and I then took the dogs on a short walk around the parking lot before settling in for the night. Tomorrow will be a long day!

August 21, 2026-Freshman Move in Day for Graham

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• Graham has been ready to move into college for a few weeks now. He has been so excited, and we are so excited for him. We left the house a few minutes after we had planned to this morning. We wanted to leave a few minutes before 7, but it ended up being a few minutes after 7 plus we even had to turn around and go back to get Robby's computer.
• However, we still had time to stop at Buccees for some breakfast. Then we zoomed on to Ouachita. I think that Graham was a little nervous when we pulled onto campus. I was nervous for him too!
• Last year, dropping off Anderson, we had to wait in a crazy long line, but this year, we were there an hour earlier, but also the line was moving well. Within 15 minute of driving on campus, we were at Graham's dorm with everything from the white van unloaded. 
• We parked as he went in and found his room. The first thing he did was grab the desk by the window. His roommate made it to the room right after Graham, and the first order of business was arranging the beds and putting down the rug.
• Then we had to put together the couch. Anderson bought the couch last year, and since he isn't using it this year, Graham is making good use of it. It took a few minutes to get it together, but once it was done, we started putting things up. 
• Graham is sleeping on the top bunk and climbed to the top to start making his bed. We had packed mostly in bins, and I loved emptying a bin. Graham has a pretty good set up-they have lots of storage in their room. 
• We weren't able to get his phone cord to stay where it needed to go, and the bathroom shower storage is lacking, but other than that I think his move in went perfectly. After unloading everything, we went to eat Mexican at the restaurant at the edge of campus.
• Then we went to Walmart. I would have thought that a Walmart in a small town with two colleges would be lacking, but they were fully stocked with all of the things you would need. Robby and Graham went on the hunt for cord things and key chains while I picked up things for our trip along with something for Reagan's birthday box. 
• We went back to campus and dropped Graham off in his room. Then Robby and I went to change the light bulb in Reagan's headlight. It would have been easy to do, but the wires were practically apart so Robby had to tape them up, and hopefully it holds. We hadn't gotten sweaty all day, but we sure did then.
• We saw Reagan earlier in the day. She was helping move freshman girls in, but she took a break to come and see her brother's room. She even came back later in the day to check on him again. After fixing her headlight, we met up with Graham and walked to the bookstore to pick up Anderson's books. 
• Each time we passed Cone Bottoms we did have some punch and a popsicle-I had cookies and cream for 2 of the 3 popsicles I had and they were delicious. Soon it was time for the little ceremony that they do. 
• It was warm in the auditorium, and we were all tired so I struggled keeping my eyes open. However, the last bit they pray over each of the students and call their name. The admissions counselors are spread out across the room calling names, and it is pretty neat. 
• Then it was back to Cone Bottoms to tell our little boy good bye. We left Graham only to find Reagan again. She was getting ready to meet her group for the next few days. I think that she was excited about meeting new people, and Graham was excited about his group too because Brett is his leader for the next few days.
• Robby and I then headed home. We decided that we would stop at Buccees to pick up barbecue for a supper on our trip, plus we got us a bite of cookie dough to give us some energy for getting home. 
• Once we were home, we unloaded the car. Then Robby reloaded the minivan for the trip while I started working on loading the food in the camper. He then helped me, and after we had the food done, we loaded up Anderson's things before loading up the car on the dolly behind the camper. Lots of loading up happened tonight, but I feel pretty good about everything we accomplished (though I still have a few more things that need to happen tomorrow.)
• We celebrated our big day with ice cream at the Wilson's house tonight. We visited with them for a little bit. Then we had to return home to get back to work for a little bit longer. Now, we are headed to bed, and I'm just exhuasted!

August 20, 2026

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• This day was the calm before the storm, but it was still pretty busy though. We started with school this morning. And once again, I let Whitman take some breaks and drag school out for most of the day. I should let him just do this since he doesn't mind, but I wanted to be finished with school. Plus I think that he knows if he waits late enough then I will decide against working with him at the end of the day.
• When we finished with school, I gathered school things to take on the trip and school things to do the week when we get home. The trip school was a lot more books than I had planned on bringing, but I found room for them in the camper so all is well. (I actually found two different spots-one for when we are working on them, and one for when we are finished with them.
• My main task today was packing with Graham. He had all of his clothes left to pack, but that didn't really take long. Now, he is still out tonight, and he has a few more things to pack. I don't think that it will take him long though.
• After I finished with Graham, it was Anderson's turn to do some packing. He had about the same amount of things to pack, plus he will have some more to pack tomorrow. 
• This evening, we loaded up all of Graham's things plus we brought all of Anderson's things down the stairs and put them in the garage. That will be a big help tomorrow when it is time to load up Anderson to get ready for his move in day on Saturday. 
• Robby and I ran some errands tonight-we shipped an ebay sell, we went to Academy to pick up socks and shorts for the boys, we went to Walmart, and then to Costco and McDonadls for our suppers. 
• The Wilsons came over for a few minutes this evening. Then when they left we kicked it up into high gear to finish a few things up. Now, I'm already on the couhc for a few minutes before bedtime. 

August 19, 2026

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• This has been a day! I forgot how long Wednesdays are when we go to church on Wednesday nights. The morning started the same as usual. Keaton had done a lot of her work last night so she didn't start on her school until around 10. Campbell's college classes opened today, so she figured out her way around the classes before Whitman and I were finished reading.
• When we did finish reading, I helped her do a lesson of math. She even did half of another one tonight. She needs a bit of help right now, but she will quickly get back into the math groove. Plus her art seems like it may be a bit more difficult than when the others did it. It looks like there is a lot of writing, but Campbell has no problem at all writing. 
• Whitman took a bit for school today, but I was distracted with other things so I wasn't focused enough to keep him moving. He did get everything finished and even took a few breaks this afternoon. I haven't been letting him take breaks so far this school year during the morning time. 
• After school was over, I made some bread, and Whitman made some corn muffins since we have been reading about Native Americans. We also made one corn muffins like Native Americans would have-let's just say we are glad that we were not alive then. 
• I didn't pack with the boys today which may come back to bite me tomorrow. I did write out the list of everything that we have to pack plus I labeled all of Graham's boxes. Labeling the boxes took me forever. I'm not sure of an easier way to go it-though I probably didn't have to put labels on two places on every box. 
• I was able to pack my clothes in the camper, and then it was time to head to church for the first Wednesday night. Campbell and Keaton were thrilled while Whitman was not as thrilled. He has the same teachers as last year so that added to his lack of excitement. 
• I am with the kids again, and it was water night which was crazy as expected. However, I think that that kids loved it plus I stayed dry so that I loved. When we came home, I made myself a breakfast bowl, and now I'm stuffed and a bit miserable. 

August 18, 2026

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• I did get up and walk this morning, but I wasn't happy about it. I had intended to walk this afternoon, but I legit did run out of time plus it was over a hundred so I figured it was better for my health to not walk then to walk in the heat.
• We did our school work this morning. I'm trying to finish a few books so we aren't in the middle of things when we leave for our trip. Tomorrow I get to plan what I will make the kids do during the trip-that will be fun for me, but not so much fun for them. 
• Campbell was the first to leave this morning. She worked a few hours at church and will most Tuesdays from here on out. She zoomed through her school work when she came home.
• Graham left next to go and play real golf with some of his friends. Graham really has never liked Top Golf, so he also hasn't really cared about real golf. However, he did have fun today even though he sure didn't win. He did eat lunch at Wright's BBQ so that was a win for him.
• Anderson left next with his two suitemates. They were taking the couch to their room along with a chair and Anderson's tv stand. The couch is actually a sectional, and it is wall to wall furniture. They ate Mexican and then came home without even a stop at Buccees.
• Tonight Campbell left to go and eat with a friend. Graham went to watch Brooklyn's first volleyball game, and I went to Mahjong at the church house. I won twice so that was big for me-I haven't been winning lately. 
• When I came home, I helped pack some of Anderson's clothes. Graham and I had done his clothes earlier in the day. The boys are packed more in bins, but they are going to have just as much stuff as Reagan I think!
• All of us who were home except for Campbell played a game with Whitman tonight. I'm not sure who won the game; actually, I'm not really sure if I understand the game at all. 
• This evening Campbell has been anxiously awaiting for her college classes to open so she can get started on them. She is anxious to start doing college classes, and she is determined that she is going to do it on her own.