2018?!

Well, the adventures of the Menge family has been happening! We just haven't had a chance to share!

We now have two wonderful kids and love spending time with them and each other as much as we can. Our favorite getaway is the sand and ocean:

Pismo Beach is more than a place we soak up the sun. We love to ride and be together as a family. It is truly one of the most relaxing spots we have discovered. The people are great, there is lots to do and see, and who doesn't like to see the ocean outside their window?

Now that our kids are older, they, too, like to ride. We are working on getting their own ATV to ride, but for now, they ride with us, safely, of course.

When the kids are playing the sand with family, Jeff and I can head out on the back terrain and really ride. He loves the speed and I love the air! The dunes are perfect for both!

See more on our YouTube Channel Menge Mayhem!

Yellowstone & Vegas 2015-2016

Jeff and I started this blog to record and share our adventures....Turns out the greatest adventure(s) is at home with our family! Which of course makes it difficult to blog as often as we'd like.

Back in December, the Menge's loaded up our truck and drove off to Montana. We booked our timeshare in West Yellowstone for a week's adventure for us and Jeff's parents. Most people like to enjoy Yellowstone in the summer. But for us, it was all about less people and beauty the winter has to offer.

Needless to say, taking a one year old on a ten hour plus road trip had its disadvantages, but Hunter was a trooper! I think he enjoyed himself! We left in the evening, right at Hunter's bedtime, so that he would sleep most of the trip. Then we stopped when needed: food, restrooms, and stretching our legs.

Finally, we arrived in West Yellowstone at the World Mark West Yellowstone.  It's a beautiful resort with pool, activity room, and centrally located. We were moments from main street and just blocks from the Yellowstone National Park Entrance. It was time to make some memories!

Jeff and I have traveled to West Yellowstone before and loved it. BUT we went during November and the roads from the West Entrance didn't have enough snow pack to be opened. This means the only entrance to Yellowstone was through the north or south. And thus we missed out on some of the best attractions. Although, because of the changed plans, we got to see some incredible sites as well. Needless to say, we were pretty excited to use the West Entrance and share this experience with our son and parents.

Because you cannot drive your own car into Yellowstone National Park during the winter, Jeff and I booked the family tours into the park. Through much research, I chose Buffalo Bus Touring Company. They had the tours we wanted at a reasonable price. We wanted to do two tours- the Old Faithful Explorer, and the Canyon Explorer, but the Canyon tour was full, so book early! Buffalo Bus gave us a discount through Wyndham, picked us up, gave us valuable information on West Yellowstone as well as the national park, were friendly, helpful, WARM, provided blankets and binoculars, and dropped us off. We would absolutely book with them again!

Our tour took us all long the Madison River where we got to see bison, coyotes, bald eagles, and more.  our drive, our guide filled us in on the history of Yellowstone, the animals, hot springs, and what there is to see. Then we drove to the Fountain Paint Pots. Although it was a brisk morning, the views of the paint pots were stunning. Then off to the main attraction, Old Faithful. But as we headed that way, there was still lots to see and our guide stopped to point them out or let us out for a closer look.


Through out Old Faithful Visitor's Center is a must stop to learn all there is about the most reliable erupting geyser at the park. There is also the Old Faithful Inn, which began construction in 1903 and reached its current look in 1928. If you have time, there are plenty of hikes where you can see Old Faithful erupt from above!

There is also plenty to do in West Yellowstone. Since we now have a toddler, we went to check out the The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. Here, Hunter could get up close and personal (through glass or fenced area) with wolves and bears as well as learn about the history of these animals and others that live in the area. We even had the opportunity to hear a Yellowstone National Park Ranger speak about bison living in Yellowstone. It was certainly a must see, especially for Hunter.

For some much needed adult time, Jeff and I walked over to Big Gun Shooting Range. Because we are Californians, there are many guns that are illegal and can't shoot. So imagine Big Gun like a smaller one Las Vegas has. Needless to say, Jeff was excited. Jeff choose the Warriors Package (with one gun change), his targets (zombies, of course!) and even let me shoot! It was pretty awesome! With automatics, I forget how fast the ammo goes! Rest assured, Hunter was with his grandparents, and Jeff and I had all the safety equipment and our "guide" with us in the range. Safe fun is the best fun!


Many shops and restaurants are open in the winter in West Yellowstone, but I will only mention a couple of our favorites. By far our favorite is Serenity Bistro. Jeff and I ate here on our first trip to West Yellowstone for Thanksgiving. We had to eat here again. We were not disappointed. I made reservations early for our family Christmas dinner. There wasn't a special menu for Christmas, but there was a special plate, lamb. Delicious!

Another fun place is Slipper Otter Pub. Although its name says "pub" it is appropriate for families. Their pizza is truly something special-each made by scratch. The atmosphere is casual with a large beer list, including lots of local favorites. It was the perfect eatery on a very cold evening.

Our last leg of our winter get-away was to Las Vegas. This was a last minute addition as by chance, our timeshare, the Grand Desert, was open! We had some friends meeting us for a New Year's celebration in Sin City! I know Vegas is known for "adult fun", but we found LOTS to do and eat for our family. One of the best was Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The weather was perfect and the views were unforgetable! Had we brought Hunter's carrier with us, we would have taken one of the many hikes available. Do note that if you want to go to the visitor's center, you have to go when you enter the park. The road is a loop from entrance to exit, with no in between.

We, of course, did the traditional "family" things in Veags, but I think we have the most fun finding new places to eat. One place we discovered and fell in love with (so much so, we went twice in a couple of days!) is Hash House A Gogo. Seriously, the food is AMAZING! They are award winning and even had Man vs Food over! Their pancakes don't fit on their plates, and a must have Andy's Sage Fried Chicken Benedict. Yes, you read that correctly. CHICKEN BENEDICT. You will not be disappointed! Plus, enjoy a cinnamon roll latte and you'll be all set!

Well, I think that covers our winter adventure. Other than New Year's. I spent it with Hunter; Jeff was with friends on the strip. Not a bad way to end the journey!

Next up for us was our Valentine's Day Pismo Beach adventure!

More to come!

Gotcha Day!

Adventures within the Menge family is always happening! Whether it's a trip to a National Park, a drive to the store, or the finalization of our adoption.

Jeff and I have been playing the waiting game for some time to begin our family. Last November, we got the call. We were going to be parents!

Hunter was born December 7th. As one can imagine, we couldn't be more excited!

But there was a catch: we couldn't share him with the world. No photos could be on social media and we had to be extremely careful with whom we emailed pictures to. Thus, we had to wait again. For six months. We had to wait to show our little man to the world! Wait to show his smile, his personality, our family at last completed!



July finally came along and we had our court date. Gotcha Day or finalization was here! The excitement filled the room along with all our loved ones. We were the first item on the docket and had the entire courtroom to ourselves. 





The officer of the court, court recorder, and the judge were in very high spirits as proceedings began. Judge Murphy Begen went over what finalization means, the parameters of our adoption, and then congratulated us on us being a family! YAY! Judge Murphy Begen even invited us up to her chair to sit for pictures. How cool is that!? 

With that, we would like to introduce Hunter Jackson Menge! He loves to move, laugh, animals, the outdoors, and music. Hunter is truly an amazing addition to our life and will certainly add more adventures in the future!

Thank you to everyone who have helped our family grow and supported us through this process. Jeff and I couldn't be happier or more in love!

Now on to our next adventure!

Wanting to see more? Check out our video!

Tikes, Trikes, and Hikes- A Family Update

Our last post was how a baby changes everything....this is still true. However, being the travelers and adventure types we are, Jeff and I are still out there seeing the word. Just with a tike in tow!

Our first tike adventure was to Calaveras Big Trees in Arnold, California.  We wanted to see the snow to go on a day trip to see how we as a family of, now three, could handle it all!

Mini NG (our web name for our "tike") was less than a month old for this trip and couldn't be more comfortable! He loves riding in the car and thanks to a Baby Bjorn, he could go everywhere safe and happy! Due to the California drought and lack of rain, we found very little snow! But that didn't keep us from an adventure! We went for a hike, saw big trees (duh!), and simply enjoyed seeing the world from Mini NG's eyes. It also proved that Jeff and I could handle an infant traveling!


Our next "tike" adventure took us to Sonora, California. Jeff's parents wanted to treat us to a family getaway, one that was close enough to home and hospitals, but far enough to feel like we are on vacation. 

This mini vacation was a wonderful getaway! Staying in Sonora allowed us to travel to other areas easily and quickly. We visited Strawberry for a hike, Murphy's for wine and shopping, and even a little cider in Sonora at Indigeny Reserve. It was great to have a little rest with help from the family, but also to know that Mini NG enjoys the outdoors as much as Jeff and I do!

And we were about to test Mini NG's love for the outdoors....with a day trip to Yosemite National Park. 

Yosemite National Park is very special to Jeff and me for a variety of reasons. We had both been before, but neither with someone we truly cared about. Jeff was even intending to propose to me there! So, heading up the hill with Mini NG in tow filled us with excitement and love. 

It was warmer than usual and many were there for the Fire Falls, but nearly as crowded as it can get in the summer. When we arrived we ate, prepped ourselves with sunblock, and adorned the Baby Bjorn. We wanted to start small, but not too small. We walked to Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. It was flowing, thankfully, and beautiful. Took some pictures then discovered a hike to Upper Yosemite Falls. Okay, we didn't do the entire hike....we stopped at the overlook of Half Dome. Going up, was great! It was difficult with ten extra pounds attached, but Mini NG loved it! We stopped to feed him on the trail and everyone who looked upon us were so kind! I got lots of encouragement about hiking with Mini NG...it made me feel like I could go to the top!

But then we had to hike back down. This is where Mini NG had his tantrum. And what do parents do with a tantrum....try not to panic. He had been changed, fed, napped on the way up, held, removed some clothes, but them back on, tried to feed again.....Good think Jeff was there! He took Mini NG and held him close ALL the way down the mountain. Mini NG sure does love his daddy! 


After that, it was time for much needed refreshment at the famed Ahwahnee Hotel. Love the view, decor, and calm that the Ahwahnee can bring. One day we will participate in the Bracebridge Dinner!! But a couple drinks and some rejuvenation was good enough for the end of the day.

So, that is where we are for now. Coming up we have a stay in Paso Robles, our rescheduled Seattle trip, and a bike ride with our new kid trailer for our bikes!

The adventure continues!

A Baby Changes Everything

I know everyone says it "A baby changes everything." I knew it would, but I wasn't prepared for the amount of love I would feel. So what to the sleepless nights, the crying, and uncertainty. Those moments are fleeting. What I am filled with day in and day out is complete love. Love for Mini NG, for Jeff when he is with Mini NG, and how my love grows for both daily. 

Yes. A child changes everything.


Mini NG entered our world November 4, 2014, my dad's birthday. I was at a teacher workshop, Jeff at work. I got the call. We were selected! A baby was on the way! The baby was coming in December.

WOW! The perfect Christmas gift!

After the shock of becoming parents settled, the panic crept in. We were going to be parents, of a baby, and we had nothing! NOTHING! We didn't set up our child's room before as we didn't know the age of the child God was sending us. That left us six weeks (original due date was December 19th) to prepare. Where do you start?

Well, needless to say, we did figure it out. And slowly got to tell friends and family that we were finally growing our family! Jeff and I told my dad on his birthday. We wrote "Happy birthday, Grandpa" in his card. It took a few moments....but once my dad realized he was becoming a grandpa, he was floored!

Then we told Jeff's parents at dinner. I had purchased a "Grandma" coffee cup and a grandparents Christmas ornament. They, too, didn't believe us at first. It was a great surprise for all!

Then came our baby shower. December 7th, 2014. We had just had breakfast with my cousin and her family and were about to pick up my dad to head to the baby shower when we got a call.

The baby was coming and we needed to get to the hospital.

Yep, Jeff and I got the ultimate gift at our baby shower. Mini NG!

Mini NG arrived at 4:27PM on December 7th. We were there for his first bath, feeding, changing....the rest is history. 

And now we begin our real adventure. Parenthood! And we love every magical (and non-magical) moment. 

Baby Bound!

Our baby shower

The view when we got home

Mini NG's crib

Our first ourting as a family

The Waiting Game

The waiting game....it's supposed to be the exciting part of the adoption process. You have finally finished your home study, found a child that you see as a part of your family, the excitement builds, right?!

No.

The waiting game is seriously the worst part of the adoption process. The worst. And here I thought that the waiting to get approval of your home study was the worst. Ha! So very wrong I was. 

Jeff and I have been in the "selection" process since July. We "almost had our world change", but this time is a little different. This time I feel is the perfect storm. We got a call on a Friday. A match that is exactly what Jeff and I both want AND a situation where the social worker would place as soon as possible. 

As. Soon. As. Possible.

I begin to prepare for the possibility of our family expanding. Getting my "feelers" out there so to speak, on clothes, furniture, schools, daycare, etc just in case. I even create a book for our future child! 

That was about two weeks ago. 

I have checked in with our social worker (who is amazing) and sometimes these things that are to happen ASAP, don't. Other things pop up, everyone can't get together that needs to be there for placement, yadda yadda, yadda. I get that. It just puts a huge strain on Jeff and me as we wait. 

The thing is, although we try NOT to get attached, we do. We can't help it. Jeff and I have wanted to be parents for so long, that this moment, opportunity, this child, in our minds is already a part of the family. We want to help him or her, Know how he or she is doing, who is caring for him or her, etc. Jeff and I become parents even before knowing the child. 

I guess it is the unknown that is difficult. We don't know if we will be parents this time around or the next. If we need to go shopping or wait longer for the child that is to be ours.


 But we will continue to "patiently" wait until we hear the "yay" or "nay".....

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And just like that, Our World *Almost* Changed

It's funny, the coincidences that occur in life. I had just finished and published my last blog on Jeff's and my adoption journey and wouldn't you know.....

The phone rang!! The. Phone. Rang!

Of course, being who I am, I didn't recognize the number and didn't answer it. So when I checked the voicemail and realized that is was our social worker. 

I FREAKED OUT!

She called to say that "there is a situation" and to call her back "immediately". 

The moment Jeff and I had been waiting for was here! HERE! 

So what did I do!? 

I tried to call Jeff. Jeff was at work and I wanted to be sure that we would be on the same page. Only thing was.....He. Didn't. Answer. I must have called three or four times! So, without talking with Jeff, I called our social worker back. She, too, didn't answer! What was going on!?

Finally, our social worker called me back. Turns out she was talking to Jeff, so now it was time to fill me in. A baby had been born the day before, prematurely at 28 weeks. Possible meth exposure, with many unknowns. Jeff had said we would love to have a shot at this baby. Our social worker would tell us more the next day.

We were a choice for a baby!!

I, of course, was ecstatic! I was pacing, talking really fast, trying take this information it. We could possibly be parents! Jeff, as always, was far more grounded and practical. Don't get our hopes up too high. We are parents, yet. 

But who wouldn't choose us?!!?

This is when the research began. Anyone that knows me, knows that when I don't understand or know something well, I have to do research. I wanted to know all I could about babies born at 28 weeks, babies born premature and with possible meth exposure. Nevermind that Jeff and I have taken classes on the different types of drugs and exposure and the lasting effects of those on babies and kids. But no matter! I had to know more! I had to gather as much information as I could. I even talked to other adoptive parents who have gone through the process and even adopted a premature, possibly exposed child!

Well, that and anything to not think about what may or may not be coming the next day. 

Thursday came. Not only my last day of summer school, but possibly the day that could change our lives. I had my cell next to me, checking it constantly, simply waiting on pins and needles.

School over. Off to the dentist. Then I saw it: an email. Emails can be good, right?

Not in this case. We were not chosen. 

Before I could lose it, I called Jeff to give him the news. He was speechless. I was sad, but you know what? This baby wasn't' our child. He wasn't the child that's destined to be a part of our family. Our baby was coming. He or she is out there and on his or her way. And that is okay and how it should be. Our baby is coming. 


This journey is exciting, and heart wrenching, and certainly life changing. 

All this before we have a child! We can't wait for what the future holds!