Sunday, July 22, 2012

IL Vacation: A Trip to Iowa

Although it wasn't initially on the schedule, we were so delighted to fit in a trip to western IA to see my grandpa and family on "the farm".  It was such a special trip.  Grandpa had just had some surgery and it is a reminder to take hold of every chance we have to be together.  My Uncle Larry & Aunt Annette hosted a hot dog roast out at the farm and many cousins and aunts/uncles were there even with the short notice.  Amazing!

Great-grandpa Virgil and Kat

Just as we arrived there was a twenty-minute downpour.  I think the rain in the midst of a drought brought a sense of euphoria to the party.  It was a great evening!



The crew filling up on hot dogs, just-picked sweet corn, potato salad, watermelon AND fresh peaches on angel food cake for dessert -- don't ask how much I ate.


Andrew loved spraying the pigs down at the hog barn on our farm tour.



Climbing the grain bin - I never got to do that when I was their age.  (THese grandpas get soft in their old age.)


Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa!

Anika and Andrew with some Denison cousins - instant connection.


Lots of memories in this house!

We set off a few firecrackers and Kat was NOT impressed with the noise.




Saying good-bye. . .

IL Vacation 2012: The Heat Wave

We stepped off the plane in Illinois to the worst heat & humidity I've every experienced.  (That might be an exaggeration but not by much.)  Anika took two steps onto the jetway and exclaimed, "I can't breathe!")  Needless to say, there were only two ways to beat the heat: air conditioning (preferred by Lloyd) and water (preferred by the kids).  The pool was a frigid 65 degrees when we actually got IN IT, which was certainly a first in my book.  The kids also loved the inflatible slide.  Although there aren't any pictures of it, Kathryn eventually loved it as well.

The McDearmon Family

Andrew and Ian on the slide

I couldn't resist: Andrew face planting on the slide.

Anika on the slide.

Anika and her mom on the slide.

In IL, you can actually have the old-school sparklers that I remember so well.




The annual A&A (Anika & Alethea) performance was enjoyed by all.


Our new niece, Eliana, was as beautiful as her pictures (and yes, she does have that much hair).


Scooters with Grandma!


Camping 2012: Cave Tour

Within Sequoia Nat'l Park is an amazing cave, if you are brave enough to hike down to it:-)  Of course, the way down wasn't nearly as difficult as the way back, especially when you have to carry a 4 year old. 

Waiting for our tour to start




The Koontz Family!  We sang "Happy Birthday" to Simon in the cave!


Can you see what this formation looks like?  Hint: May the force be with you.


Camping 2012: General Sherman

We ended our June with an amazing camping trip at Sequoia Nat'l Park.  We met up with Christine, John and family and we've decided to make this an annual event.  The kiddos LOVED it.  Sleeping in a tent, eating s'mores every night, seeing evidence of bears every morning, hiking with a walking stick, and only showering ONCE in three days made for an unforgettable time away.

All the cousins together!
(Anika - 8, Nathaniel - 7, Andrew - 6, Simon - turned 6 while we were together, Kathryn - 4, Josie - so close we'll call it 4.)

Walkie talkies, tents and cousins - the perfect combination.

Cousin Time!!!

"The Outdoorsman"

The girlies loved the hammock.


Hiking to General Sherman afford many photo ops.
(the largest tree in the world - by volume of wood)


Just one of the many Sequoia - over 3000 years old.



Our group with the huge tree!


A frequent visitor at our campsite.  (We also saw a bear but the picture was so pathetic that I can't even post it.)