The Loud Americans: Spring break

As always, its been an interesting few weeks. Kay has been planning a driving road trip to California with 4 of her friends, in the Jeep. Needless to say, all of the parents were VERY nervous about this and of course, the kids did not want any of us involved in planning, etc. We did convince them to allow 1 planning meeting with all kids and parents. I have to admit, that did help me feel a bit better that we weren't the only "mean" parents with reservations, worry and a ton of questions. But, the kids did have a pretty good plan despite much of it including driving through the night. Then again, they are vampires so maybe that's better. We were able to track Kay's location on Find my Friends and then Tom got notifications anytime she used her debit card so...we had a fairly good idea of where she was and what she was doing. Lots of pool time at the VRBO, rented a surf board, and Target/fast food runs. They are currently on the final stretch home from Cody Wyoming - about 12 hour drive - so they'll be home after midnight. Of course.

As part of my obsessive worry, I had what you could either call a brilliant idea or an extremely codependent idea. Why don't Tom, Billy and I go on vacation while she's on vacation? Billy loves to hike, take photos and rock scramble in the mountains. Vegas seemed like the perfect spot. We could relax and spend some time with Billy while being only 4 hours away from her if things went south. Plus, I was going to worry whether I was on vacation or at home. It was a GREAT decision. We used all our airline points, stayed in a condo (no casino in this building) and Tom made us dinner every night. Just what we needed.

Maui also had a great vacation, Kendra spoilt him rotten - new bed, new toys, new cat friends, new dog friends - but he was really excited to see us. She also said that he never used the puppy pads at her house, just at our house. At her house, he peed outside - ugh ;(

Jimmy got some great news as well - He had an interview with Rep Hagedorn as a summer intern in DC and GOT IT! So, he's working in DC this summer and is beyond the moon. Currently peppering us with links to sublets in DC. While I wish it was an internship on the other side of the aisle, but any congressional internship is pretty damn cool and exactly what he wants to do.

Now, this week, Billy has an annual physical, a date with Tyra and Kay has a meeting with the EP police department to ask about the speeding ticket she got before vacation (40 mph over) - we aren't 100% of the fine/consequences so figured a meeting would be a good next step. I have to admit, my stomach flips every time I think about this. Plus, its back to work for Tom and I. Fingers crossed on her meeting that its just a fine and not a temporary loss of license or anything like that. (To her credit, she handled herself well with the police office and asked all the right questions. She didn't fall apart until she got home and then wrote us really nice note about how sorry she was, that it was a bad decision and she'll take the consequences. Let's just hope the consequences aren't also something Tom/I have to suffer through...

Never a dull moment around here.

1st day hike, Red Rock.