Ice Cream

Some of our cousins are back!  While the rest of the family flew back to Japan, Anika and Josiah get to stay in America for a few more days.  We're excited to have them back with us in Missouri.  

As the temps read 102 today (feeling more like 112 w/humidity), we headed to our favorite local ice cream shop.  Well, it's not exactly local, but 30 minutes away in Jeff City isn't too bad.  We also took the cousins for a quick tour of the capitol building and enjoyed the museum inside. 

Fun with the dress-up clothes.

Great memories are being made with our cousins that live on the other side of the world.  We are so thankful for this rare time together.

A Summer Day

Dad and I got up and outside early to try to beat the heat.  We cleared our path through the woods and ran through more than enough spider webs.  Hopefully we'll see more deer working their way up to our yard again.  Dad always enjoys helping us with our forestry and keeping the birds coming to the feeders. 

Grandpa and Grandma also always enjoy a trip to the Amish area, so after lunch we headed up to get some fresh produce, homemade bread, and other yummy treats. 

Then it was back to town for our favorite BBQ.

Tomorrow it's the return of the cousins!  Anika and Josiah are coming back for a few more days of play.  We can't wait!

Happy Birthday, Chris!

Yes, July is a big birthday month around here.  It was Chris' turn to celebrate another year.  I was up early again to make the requested homemade cinnamon rolls.  Yum!
 

Chris had to work today, but we celebrated in the morning and then again in the evening.   We are very blessed to have a father and husband that loves us, provides for us, and is a wonderful family leader.  On another note, it has now been more than half of Chris' life that we have known each other!  We love you, Chris!

We're also enjoying having my parents here with us.  Here are a couple of shots of Ami enjoying Grandpa time and trying to braid his hair.  :)

Happy Birthday, Michaela!

Today we celebrate that fifteen years ago our first treasure, Michaela, was born into our family.  She is a gift, a blessing to our family.  She has grown and matured into a sweet young lady that is very helpful, caring, and thoughtful.  We can always count on her to help where needed, usually without even having to be asked.  She is mama's right hand girl and makes my job as mom an easier one. 

Michaela's breakfast choice was homemade cinnamon rolls.  Yum!

Her dinner choice was oyakodonburi, a Japanese chicken and rice dish.  We invited Grandpa H and Miss C over for angel food cake with chocolate frosting (good choice!) and ice cream in the evening.

And the big question.....will Michaela get her driver's permit?  Honestly, her driving of the lawn tractor scares both her and us, so we'll take a few more tractor lessons, then let her study and take the permit test when she's ready.  At least she's finally grown in height so she won't need a booster to see over the steering wheel.  ;0)  It's hard to believe that our oldest is now fifteen, but what a joy she is.  We love you, Michaela Brooke, and can't wait to see what the future holds for you!

Day 24 - Road Trip - HOME

We made it!  We traveled more than 6000 miles over 24 days, had no vehicle problems, had no illnesses, made innumerable memories, spent precious family time, and are home in one piece with Grandpa and Grandma.  God is good!

Ami was the last to wake up this morning. 

Love this sweet girl!

We ate breakfast at the hotel, then found a church where we could worship this morning.  Then we headed out on the road for our last five hours.  Home to Missouri.....

Safe and sound, in hot humid Wolfe Park:

Dad seeing his grandmother's rocking chair put together:

The kids were excited to see their rooms again!

Other than memories, this was my favorite souvenir of the trip.  I've wanted this bear from the Redwoods since our last visit there seven years ago.  Come visit us now!

Thanks for following along on our road trip.  It's good to be home, although part of my heart will always be in the West.  God has been good to us.  We will follow where He leads and be content where He has has led us!

Day 23 - Road Trip - to Kansas

We're on the final stretch.  It was hard to leave N-X Ranch and head east.  We love the Nix family; they are dear to us and have opened their haven to my family over the years.  Sadly, Grandma Lora has Alzheimers and was only able to be with us part of the stay.  I wonder if the next time we see her it will be in heaven.  Grandpa Joe is a wonderfully sweet man and loved having the kids there.  We are so grateful for their hospitality and open arms.

Johanna and Grandpa Joe in the pasture, one last time, loving on the horses.

Oh how the kids (and me too!) loved little Spiky.  She even followed us out to the van and jumped up into Benjamin's lap.

Yes, this would be Kansas, our 18th state on this trip.  Phew!  It seemed to take forever to drive across just half of Kansas today.  Maybe it was the mountainless landscape, maybe it was the heat.

We stopped for ice cream and saw bank temperatures saying 111 degrees!  We've been out of heat and humidity for three weeks now.  Ugh!

No we're not camping tonight.  Our tradition is to spend the last night of our trip eating out and staying in a hotel with a pool.  We seem to always end up in Kansas on our last night of a road trip west and there is no way we'd want to camp in this heat and humidity anyway.

Tomorrow, HOME!  

Day 22 - Road Trip - Nix Ranch

Ahhh, another day in the Rockies.  We enjoyed playing around the ranch again, watching Grandpa doing some fly fishing, and a visit to Bishop's Castle.  The castle is a one-man, hand-built castle.  Bishop has worked on it for 43 years and it is continually a work in progress.  He preaches his political views as he works and onlookers are free to roam his castle.  It was a fun side trip and we got to see more wildlife and mountain views along the way.

The ranch at 8300 feet and tucked in at the foot of the Rockies.  Beautiful!

The property used to have a cabin that was over 100 years old.  Here are the remains after it was burned by arson a few years ago.  :(

Up in Bishop's castle:

The older four and Chris climbed to the very top.  Scary!  The castle isn't built to code at all and that makes the heights all the more scary.  

The one-man builder:

Sadly, this is the tail end of our trip.  We'll hit the road tomorrow to head for home.  Part of me is ready to go home, but more of me wants the vacation to continue on.  It's been a great three weeks of family time and enjoying God's beautiful creation.