Summer Trip 1

Now begins a long series of posts on our time away in the midwest! It was a wonderful vacation - hot & humid in MO where we spent lots of time in the water and then cool and rainy in IL where we could enjoy time together inside.

Kathryn is such a "Mommy's girl" that she wouldn't even let me meet my new nephew. Joshua is already 7 mo. old and I finally got to hold him. He is quite a charmer with that infectous grin!Cousins (Andrew 3, Eli turned 3 while we were together):Anika (5), Ali (6), Karissa (10), Ian (9 while we were there)

Family Fun continues

"F" 4: FOOD

Ah, BLISS!!!! Summer brings in the abundance of fresh local produce. For lunch today we feasted on local watermelon (from a family from church), local sweet corn (just picked from a family from church), local gouda cheese (from Oakdale cheese), and local blueberries (freshly picked by us this morning at a u-pick field in Ripon). Yummmmmmmmm!!!!

"F" 3: FIREWORKS

While Auntie Rachel was visiting, we broke out some fireworks. The kids loved them -- even Kathryn. The hardest part was keeping her out of the water bucket:-)

"F" 2: FAMILY

We enjoyed some time with family! Nene and Aunt Christine and cousins drove through on the way to Oregon to visit Pake. We had so much fun. We were even able to celebrate Simon's 2nd birthday. Me with the littlest ones - Kathryn 13 mo. and Josie 11 mo.

Happy Birthday, Simon!

"F"1: FUN

Here are Kathryn & Andrew hamming it up:-)

Kids' Photo Shoot 2009

More Summer Fun. . .

Anika and Andrew are so excited to have Nathan, Anne, & Trent (our neighbors) available more now that school is out. Nathan even made kites for the kids. Since they could wait to try them out they run up and down the street this morning "flying" the kite.

Kathryn enjoys being outside with her brother and sister: