Arkansas

We headed to Arkansas to see Jon's parents for the week of the 4th. I was dreading the ride out there. Was really wishing for magical powers to just transport us. =) 

But it went really well. The miles went by quickly and the kids were great.

Playing in the woods with Grammy.

Jon and Gramps rode their bikes up Queen Wilhelmina mountain while the rest of us drove up there.

The kids and Grammy rode the little train. Dominic wasn't very impressed.

Later we ate home made ice cream.

One day we went to Hot Springs. We ate out and took the kids to the Science Museum.

Enjoying time with the grandparents.

We also went out on the boat. But I was too scared to bring the camera. 

This was probably the kids favorite things. They certainly love the water.

And it didn't hurt that Gramps let them drive the boat. Dominic did a great job.

Caitlin got us all a bit sick. =)

Caitlin with her Gramps while he sang special music at church. 

 

The weather was beautiful and completely not normal for Arkansas in July. 

We had such a wonderful visit and it was completely worth the long drive.

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July. Sadly I failed to get very many pictures because I was too busy visiting. 

Jon and I, for some strange reason, are rarely at home on the 4th. It's been this way for years. So this year when we realized we were actually going to be in town, we decided to invite a ton of friends over.

We even had some dear friends from New Bern come over for the day.

There were almost 50 people in our back yard and it was miserably hot. But tons of water and plenty of shade made it bearable. The kids had a blast. The food was delicious (I can say that since I didn't make most of it.) and the company even better.

 

We closed the day watching fireworks from the church parking lot.

Our 4th of July trip

Jon had two extra days off from work and so we decided to go and see his family in Kansas. We made plans to stop at my Aunt's house on the way there and back to break up the trip.

It was a fun trip as far as seeing our family, but I'll admit that it will be a while before you can convince any of us to get in the car for that long again. It was a LONG trip.

We stayed with Aunt Gail (Gee Gee). Dominic was so confused all weekend because Aunt Gail's grandchildren Jessica and Jake were there and they call her Gee Gee. I think for a long time he thought it was two separate people.

Walking out to see the garden

Caitlin found some treasures

Jessica and Jennifer (Jon's cousin)

I was playing around with the settings on my camera

There is this tiny little hill (remember this is Kansas) beside the house.

It has a playground and scenic overlook on top.

We took the kids up there early in the morning before it got too hot so they could play.

His doctor probably shouldn't see this picture.

Crazy boy forgets his arm is broken.

Caitlin has to copy everything her big brother does.

I was standing by just in case, but she did great.

Seesaw

Goofy kids.

Visiting grandma.

Aunt Gail (Gee Gee) cooking yummy breakfast.

Jon's parents came up at the same time and 

Jennifer and her kids ate with us quite a few times as well.

Visiting grandpa

Family picture - aren't we a great looking bunch?!  =)

Aunt Gail with her grandchildren, Jacob and Jessica

We left Kansas the morning of the 4th and stopped in Missouri for the evening at my Aunt's house.

We played in the pool and visited before we headed out the next morning.

Because Uncle David is a doctor we felt safe letting Dominic have a cast free moment so he could enjoy the pool.

 

Silly girl!

My adorable grandparents.

I grew up watching my grandpa set off fireworks every year.

Apparently he still enjoys them, because he purchased a huge bag of them to set off for Dominic.

The colored smoke bombs were Dominic's favorites.

On Tuesday morning we left my Aunt's and headed home.

I have always wanted to see the Arch up close and so we decided to stop and see if we could get a ticket to ride up. They are limited and it's first come, first serve.

We walked down to the base.

When we saw the long line we decided to wait until we return in the fall and try again.

It wasn't worth the 2 hour wait in the sun with the kids.

Jon took this picture. I love it!

Dominic wanted me to take a picture of this stump. 

So I had him sit on it with the city behind him.

It was great to visit with our family. But we are very glad to be back home again.