The pictures from our flying adventure.

Gosh it has been awhile, but my friend Stacy said, " You must post-blog about this." So I am..here I go. Laurel and I went back to Madison for a surprise visit for Isabella's 10th birthday. We had a terrific time and I have never seen anyone so happy to see us. Laurel walked up to the door and Bella just started crying, tears of joy. We enjoyed a week in Madison playing with cousins, going to the pumpkin patch and having birthday cake. It was an amazing trip until our adventure home. Laurel and I left Madison at 8:00 am (she was also coming down w/ a cold..oh joy) and we boarded the plane in Milwaukee and everything went smooth from there. Until we got to Bush International ( I think that was the problem right there) and we were to land in Albuquerque at 3:45 and then make the 2 and 1/2 hour drive home. This all seemed doable until we landed in Los Alamos, 2 hours from our destination. The pilot told us there was bad weather and that we were going to refuel in Santa Fe and then we would arrive in ABQ. That was not the case.
We were stuck in Los Alalmos without a way to get of the plane nor a way to get to ABQ. The plane could not take off of the run way because it was only 300 ft long. Yes 300 ft long. They had never had a large plane land on there landing strip. WOW. It was a scary landing to say the least. However, when we landed there are no gates and no way for us to get off the plane. Laurel continued to be a doll. Not a single peep; she was amazing. So there in the rainy distance is a firetruck..huh?? Well you see there is no way for us to get off of the airplane. At this point Laurel is sooo excited and I was soooo thankful for the firetruck and safe landing. So that was not the most exciting part...we climbed down the ladder with the assistance of the firefighters. So cool. Then we made into the small (i mean small airport) and we were told it would be 45 minutes or so before the bus comes to pick us up. What bus, yes bus. Ok Laurel is sooo totally psyched to get to ride on a bus. Wow it was an adventure that is for sure. She loved it and feel asleep on the 3 hour bus ride to Albuquerque and then we drove home. It was an adventure, but we were safe and had a great trip to see the family. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Laurel "Little Miss Indpendent"

It has been awhile since I have blogged. We have been busy traveling and trying to figure out the next chapter of our lives. Our time on the Navajo Reservation is coming to a close. Chris has taken a job in Durango, CO and we are looking forward to all it has to offer. This summer was filled with lots of creative play, travel and Laurel becoming more and more independent. Here is a little glimpse: reading magazines, going to the potty by herself, building and playing w/ block by herself and she has become a little runner like her mom. Laurel is my "little running buddy"

No..me ( Laurel )do it.

We have entered a new phase of independence. Laurel wants to do it all....putting on her shoes, cleaning and dusting, pouring her own milk. climbing into her highchair, buckling her own seat belt and just today she put on her own skirt. You name it she is trying to do it. I am amazed by how determined she is to complete any task. Case in point last week I thought I would get out some beads from my days as a Kindergarten teacher. I thought she would think they were pretty and sparkly, but I didn't think she would create her own bracelet. Big surprise for me. She started beading right on to the pipe cleaner. I could see her little hands and eyes working so hard to thread the bead onto the pipe cleaner. I was so impressed with her fine motor skills. Everyday is a new amazing adventure.

Escanaba, MI trip to Grandma and Grandpa's

Another year in the UP of Michigan. Laurel had soo much fun playing with her cousins and of course playing with "Gama and Genka" translated to Grandma and Grandpa. We had a wonderful time playing in the backyard an a few trips to the beach. Laurel played in the sand and helped the big kids build sand castles. The fireworks were a hit. Laurel loved the boom and the bright colors in the sky. Every time they let the fireworks off Laurel would say "wow" and "ooh" "blue" as every color in the sky was blue. No fear for this girl she loved the fireworks and got to stay up until 11:30 with the big kids. We had a lot of fun on the 4th of July.
Escanaba is a wonderful place for our families to get together every year.

Midwest Vacation. Madison and Escanaba, MI.

Telluride Bluegrass Festivel

The Peterson/Dondlinger clan headed to Telluride to meet up with lots of old friends and to enjoy some good old bluegrass. Laurel was a dancing fool and she loved all of the festivities. It was great to get together with our friends from the rez and some of our old friends who have left the rez. What a beautiful venue..great friends, good music and yummy beer.