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By Kate, 1 September 2010

We should know. We live there now.

We have finally got an apt. and are starting to settle in. Last week when I told my friend Jill that we were homeless & looking for a place to live she responded, “what’s new?” Which is appropriate for us since we are looking for a place to live about ever 3-6 months.

To be honest, it’s a little too classy for my taste. For starters, it’s a 1 br, not a studio. It has a pool, and workout room. It has extra-high ceilings. It even has a study “nook” and its own washer and dryer. We do not even have to cross the street or walk into a dungeon basement to do our laundry.

This is a major upgrade for the Kelly-Ransom family.

It’s no living with a crazy-cat lady, but it’s ahyte.

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By Kate, 28 August 2010

On the way back to DC we took a little detour. We passed through the ever-lovely North Dakota to visit Neil’s folks… full of things like large Paul Bunyan statutes:

And random buildings shaped like monster-fish:

We then hit the exotic territory that is Canada.

Upon entering the country we were immediately surrounded by Canadian geese. Seriously. Here’s proof:

We hit up the Washington DC of Canada: Ottawa.

We went to one of the best vegan restaurants ever, which also happens to have the best name for a restaurant ever: Perfection, Satisfaction, Promise. It was perfect; we were satisfied, as promised.

And, of course, in Neil’s quest to visit all world heritage sites on the planet, we visited the Rideau Canal.

We also had a chance to do a little camping in Canada (FYI camping in Canada is just as awful as camping in the US, but it was at a beautiful spot).

We all know how I feel about camping:

We also visited Toronto, which is so awesome we didn’t even have time to snap many photos. We went to the Canadian Textile Museum where I discovered the most amazing people on earth, and one beautiful way to dress, and why I now want to move to Panama.

On the last stop before DC, we got to stop and see our niece Lily and her mom Anne. Our other friend Jason, who we  also visited, informed us that he has stopped reading our blog because, “it’s just full of baby pictures.” In an attempt not to tarnish this reputation:

Uncle Neil and Lily having a ball. (Well, at least Lily is )

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By Kate, 21 August 2010

Canada was amazing in many ways.

Amazingly large.

Amazingly beautiful.

Full of amazing inventions (see video above).

More pics and video to come.

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By Kate, 11 August 2010

Today we start our trip back to D.C. via North Dakota and Toronto.

Viva la vida!

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By Kate, 10 August 2010

First off, Neil grew a mustache for the event and then dyed it with mascara to make it more visible.

Epic.

This group had the most epic Linda Ronstadt/ Mylie Cyrus/ Lady Gaga dance party e v e r!

Neil made amazing food, including, but not limited to, caramel apples with toppings.

And, thanks to my dad, all of these epic photos happened (the old timey photo booth was epic):

Happy trails to you, until we meet again!

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By Kate, 3 August 2010

In case you weren’t excited for the Wild West Party yet.

Behold:

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By Kate, 2 August 2010

Guys, I just purchased a $100 (via the amazing bartering-power of Jim Kelly) cowgirl shirt for the party at this uber-fancy cowboy shop in Park City.
Here’s a preview of my Wild West ensemble:

Get excited!

P.S. Did I mention that Neil ordered an $800 pair of custom Lucchese cowboy boots while we were there? True story. Because he was so caught up in the moment with the cow-salesperson, I have to stop him from ordering elephant leather for his boots. (They claimed the elephants were “found dead” and harvested not poached.) Luckily, he came to his senses and went with the goat leather. Since they are custom made, he won’t get them in time for the party. But, they are going to be some seriously good looking boots.

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By Kate, 1 August 2010

We took a family vacation with our little cousins to Jackson Wyoming and Yellowstone. On “the way home” Neil took another detour back through Yellowstone with the top down in my dad’s Z3. Not to be an elitist, but seriously, this is the only way to go. When we came across a buffalo on the road, in lieu of stopping and waiting for it to pass, Neil decided to drive up to it. Thinking these moments might be our last, I decided to at least get them on tape. (see video clip above)

Also upon Neil’s life-threatening whim, and intense desire to see a bear, we went crashing down into a ravine in search in of a black bear. And, we found it. (more photos to come)

At my dear mother’s insistence we went for a round of old timey photos in Jackson Hole.

Mountain man!

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By Kate, 28 July 2010

Apparently Elle fashion magazine ran this spread.

Seriously?

Seriously?

Do these people have no shame?

Answer: yes, they do not have any shame.

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By Kate, 5 July 2010

Last weekend I got to go to Oregon for a mini-reunion with all the gals I grew up with. I would like to say that we did more than dress-up 24 hours a day for most of my childhood, but that would be a lie.

A significant portion of high school was spent dressing up like the Spice Girls. One night we found out we had a snow day the next day and had a 24-hour Spice Girls Bonanza.

Behold:

Here is the very same crew 12 YEARS later:

Not many people can say that they are still friends with their 5th grade friendgroup at thirty! (yes, I am wearing a Spice Girls t-shirt) I think we haven’t changed a bit. It is so fun to see what everyone is doing now that we’re old.

The highlight of the weekend was watching the Spice Girls music videos we made back in the day. You should be sad I have sworn not to put copies up on the internet, because they are PRICELESS!

Here are some shots with our new(er) friends from Iraq rafting on Sat. in Utah.

We floated the Provo River to celebrate our freedom.

We also met our new-est friends this week. They are from from Dubai. (no, I did not photoshop their faces, the face-garb is part of their everyday outfits)

Make new friends, but keep the old… one is silver & the other’s gold!