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.

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 )

Canada was amazing in many ways.

Amazingly large.

Amazingly beautiful.

Full of amazing inventions (see video above).

More pics and video to come.

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

Viva la vida!

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!

Behold:

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.

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!

If you are in Utah this summer and want to come see Kate and I off before we leave for DC. Then come to our Wild West Party on the 7th at Kate’s parents house. It will be fun!!!

Apparently Elle fashion magazine ran this spread.

Seriously?

Seriously?

Do these people have no shame?

Answer: yes, they do not have any shame.