That’s mom in the background. Camera died shortly afterwards, so I have no pics of her. Which in turn makes me want to slap someone. And yes, I am conceited. Deal with it.

Machelle didn’t know I took this. She doesn’t read the Mo blog and she’s the type that’ll steal your lunch money, so if anyone tells her I’m toast. Or more like roadkill.

What was the most surprising thing of all? Aspen’s spur of the moment love of the land. That lil girl was headed for the mountains in the distance. Mom told her to come back once, she turned, shrugged and said, “No” and kept on her way. May I remind you, she’s not even one and a half yet.

Ready, set, GO.

Hey little girl, want some candy?

I’ll take that as a no . . .

But at the end of the day, she still loves her momma.

And Aspen? Your momma loves you right back.

Thank you again to all parties involved – Ash for driving, Aspen for being a such a good little tot on what would’ve been a loooong ride if you weren’t happy with it, Mom for arranging everything, Machelle for ceasing to cuss at me and being the first to thank me for buying your lunch, and last but definitely not least, my aunt and uncle for giving me their precious little mutt.

I should write a novel, just so I can write five pages worth of thank-yous. Or maybe I’ll just make thank you cards. Then again, I know someone who is really good at that.