After a nice 3 week hiatus, Jim, Abby and I left on a jet plane for Salt Lake City, UT. I was really looking forward to these next two weeks...I missed them last year.They are two of our most scenic stops with great families to stay with too! Abby did wonderful (again) on the airplane. She really is such a good traveler!God knew we needed that kind of a baby. We stay with a wonderful family in SLC, actually the person responsible for getting me started on this blog thing!!!! Thanks Christine:)We enjoyed much warmer temperatures than we have in previous years here.
Usually there is some kind of strange weather pattern that follows the tour. In fact, two years ago it actually snowed in the mountains, not too far from the course.But, this year it was just gorgeous. The trees on the mountain were just beginning to turn, leading everyone to yearn for fall. On Wednesday, we were treated to a very different and super cool ladies day! We were bussed to a Cutting Horse ranch where we received a tour, demonstration, lunch, and a mini country concert.
I was a bit bummed because Jim was told that the ladies would be RIDING the horses, and for most of you who know me, well...right up my alley! We didn't in fact ride the beautiful creatures, but the experience was a great one.This ranch, or should I say, glorified horse barn, was the size of a small hotel.
The ENTIRE facility was built for the horses. There are no lodgings and not even a shower in the building! Anyhow, it was amazing...boasting a trophy room of what I would call road-kill by gun, two huge indoor rings
about 10-15 stalls, a horse shower, several bathrooms, and dining/conference facility. To add to an amazing building were the equally amazing views right outside.
About an hours drive from the golf course, back in a canyon, and not another establishment in sight. As for the golf, well, it didn't go as we had hoped or planned. My two good friends'(Chastity and Kristina) husbands played together right in front of Jim, so basically, we all walked together (this NEVER happens)!
We were also able to root on our good friends the Putnam's, to victory (from Idaho, of course)! Congrats again on your first NWT win Michael!!!
With our week over on Friday, we planned our departure for Saturday. It was on to our next stop, Boise, ID!
We enjoyed some great food downtown, and a nice long search for ice cream afterwards.
On Wednesday evening our lovely host, Barbara Kaylor, took my good friend Jenn Stallings and I for a sunset hike. Oh...and their dog, Alta, went too! It was beautiful!!! Perfect weather and a gorgeous sunset.
We had a chance to catch up with our good friend Joe (and Jim's caddie the last two years) on Friday. Joe decided he liked Boise so much, he wanted to move there. Move there he did, and is loving it! This was his first chance to meet Abby; it has almost been a whole year since we last saw Joe!
Friday also happened to be our 5th wedding anniversary. Jim and I had a lovely dinner out with our good friends and hosts, the Kaylors. It's hard to believe that we've been married 5 years already. The time sure does fly by!
There was just one small problem with our night out...it was the beginning of over a week of being sick for me. I missed the rest of the festivities that weekend, including the friends and the great food:( I had to endure plane rides and long nights and some testing, all while feeling awful. Only to find out that my stomach was "irritated". I'm no doctor, but I could have told anyone that! Overall the trip out west was wonderful and I'm so glad I was able to go this year.
Grammy decided she wanted Abby to learn how to go up and down steps correctly. My Mom and Dad's house doesn't have many (basement and attic, both with doors, and one or two elsewhere inside the house). No luck with the stairs...Next came piano playing. 
While cleaning the piano one day, Abby decided she could touch the keys and make some noise. This became a daily ritual from then on. Abby also enjoyed tormenting poor Pumpkin. He is our only cat that will put up with her. One day, she even decided to throw her leg over his back and "ride" him (Picture of the Day, below). I had made up my mind, before we left for our six weeks on the road, that I would be getting my hair cut when we returned home. Well, I did! I had 8 inches plus cut off and donated to Pantene and the American Cancer Society. We also spent some quality time with family.
Everyone was soooo excited to see Abby. My sister, Lisa; and my nieces, Dana and Paige; Aunt Rita and Cousin Jeri (Gege) too! 
By the time I had all the laundry done and the suitcases unpacked it was time to pack up again for another couple of weeks on the road!
Wichita was a great time this year! We had another Stella & Dot party for the tour wives and some of the members. It was very nice and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. Our host family lives right on the course in Wichita, so it was nice for Abby and I to be able to hang at the house.
There was no daycare that week, so of course, we weren't strolling around in such heat! Jim played wonderful golf and Rick (our host) made wonderful ribs:) To finish out the week, Debbie (our hostess) took me shopping at some of her favorite boutique stores. I was fortunate to come away with several super finds. Debbie's daughter Bekki, and her boyfriend Todd, were able to make it out to watch some golf and of course have their picture taken with cute little Abby.
During these last few weeks of our travels Abby learned to stand on her own and begin to take her first shaky steps. She also learned to LOVE yogurt and cottage cheese! From Wichita it was on to Springfield. We also had such a great week in Springfield. We stay with another wonderful family, Steve and Linda. They are another one of the exceptional families who have "adopted" The Hermans. Jim and I took Abby to the first and largest Bass Pro Shops Outdoors World. We thought after three years of renovations their nature exhibit would surely be up and running, but no - no such luck. She was able to see some fish and turtles and we got her her first pair of crocs. We also had a chance to use the awesome pool at the country club. Some of the other girls went too and our kiddos had a great time playing in their own private water park. There are huge sprinklers and buckets that drop water on your, tunnels with spraying water and surprising gushes of water that come up from the ground. Abby loved standing in the kiddie pool, she thought it was just like her bathtub. We also had a wonderful time just relaxing at our families house. 
It is such a unique and beautiful home. The environment is one of total relaxation...a good way to end six weeks of on-the-go. Another Stella & Dot party occurred as well. 
Everyone had another great time and enjoyed the jewels. Another made cut from Jim made for a very successful six week road trip. It was long and busy, but fun! We wouldn't have traded any of our days for any anywhere else.
We played a great new game this year. My good friend Emily Summerhays and her husband Danny came up with a pretend pregnancy relay. The point was to feel empathy for the ladies with the large bellies! They created "fake" bellies out of bags of rice, ace bandages, and duct tape. You would strap on the belly and go through a gauntlet of activities (tying your shoes, getting up from a prone position, eating pickles and ice cream, etc.). 
Well, it was a riot. Everyone participated and it was such a blast. Tuesday night we had another party at our host family's house. Our hostess, Sara Kelley, held a Stella & Dot trunk show. It was a great time and I got to meet so many of her wonderful friends. 
The trunk show was a success and everyone loved the fabulous jewels! On Wednesday the wives had a day out planned by the tournament. 
Our day began with breakfast and little gift bags, then a ride in a stretch limo to a nail salon for mani's and pedi's. From there we went to a great local brewery for lunch. It was on to a lovely jewelry store from there. 
The day ended with a wine and cheese reception at the clubhouse. The ladies loved every minute and we all had a fabulous time together. The week ended with a wonderful four days of golf. Jim played very well and gave all his followers something to cheer about! Our summer weather didn't disappoint as the record temps continued.