A Week of Special

You know those special people and places that just warm your heart? Well, last week, the four of us older kids ditched Mom, Dad, and Kenan for a week away to spend time with some of our favorites at some of our favorite places!! We left them with all the green beans and peas plus all the animal chores, and had a great time :). It was sad it had to end too soon, but it was good to all get back together again, too!

The fun really started the weekend of Scott and Jenae's wedding! We were lucky enough to have the Meyers spend the time at our house since the wedding was in Bloomington :). Sunday was a lovely day, and the wedding was beautiful. There were just a few bumps in the road.... I won't give all the details, but thanks to Dad for bailing me out and speeding home (literally) over noon hour- too bad you got caught... Oh, if only I wasn't so forgetful!

so great to have you guys here!

Monday breakfast together before we all went in different directions...

Marcus got to spend time with Gramps, Gabe and Todd on a fishing excursion. They traveled to Lake Shabona and spent a couple nights in a huge apartment! However, fishing was a little sad at the Lake, so after enough of that, they headed home and caught a bunch of nice ones in a farm pond close by Grandpa's house :). Oh well, I'm pretty sure they still had fun! (no pictures of the fun on this all-guys trip, though, .... we'll just take their word for it:))

 Lily traveled to Princeville and spent her week with Hope, Elise, Aubrey and Grandma! They swam, shopped, had picnics, took pictures, and giggled, too, I'm sure :). Lily got a little sick during the last day or so, which was a bummer, but she still had fun as well :). And by looking at the pictures... it looked like Grandma spoiled them!

aubrey, lily, hope and elise

luv you girls! xoxo, lils

Jared and I were the lucky ones that got to travel back to the lovely Kansas with the Meyers! We may not have been as spoiled as the other two, but just jumping into their life - the garden, calves and goats, fireworks, photoshoots, a day at work, cookies, babysitting, games, swimming, beans - was fun enough for me! (it's always better when it's someone elses work anyways... :)).

cousins definitely add life to traveling! :)

After unpacking and settling in, a quick swim and a yummy supper, we spent the evening with crafts and games! I took along my old bulletin board and some supplies (thanks to some sweet girls for the gift card!), and haylie and I recovered it together!

wish I had a before picture... but just take my word for it - It's so much better!

these two ;)

tuesday morning the boys spent some time working with the 4H calves

for hayie's 4H, we tackled a project of making 9 different kinds of cookies. First, we started with errands in the morning to get everything we needed...

... and then after lunch, we dug right in! We found out that it takes a pretty long time to make nine different kinds, but we came up with some fun recipes! 

in the evening, we made an adventure of picking up a couch from the neighbors.... all six of us crammed in the stick-shift pick-up! 'this is gonna be the ride of my life!' :)

We also spent time on Tuesday with the flock of goats.... after the third time of chasing them back in the pen, we finally realized that the gate had been left open! Hmmm... wonder who did that?! 

On Wednesday, Haylie had to work and I tagged along for the day! Not sure what the boys spent their time with, but no doubt they found something exciting! In the evening, we drove to a place down the road and bought some of our own fireworks, which made for some fun on Thursday! 

Thursday we spent another day on the farm: Planting pumpkins, picking and pickling beans, cleaning, and sneakin in a few games here and there:). 

made friends with this little guy and his bros during the week!

It was such an awesome week! It was good to get back when we did and get used to reality again, but in the moment, I could have stayed a lot longer!! Thanks so much for letting us enjoy life with you all, A. Joni! 

 Back on the homefront, Kenan loved it with just him and Mom and Dad. :) He spent time with his friends, did crafts, cuddled, and enjoyed getting spoiled (not that it's all that uncommon for him... :))

Him and Ty working on a 4th of July craft :)

they also 'camped out' in the living room ... ready for bed!

And, just like that, the end of one of the best weeks. We didn't get to take a family vacation this year, but in a way, we kinda did. All of us spent it differently, but we all had a break from normal and spent time with the people we love. To Grandpa and Grandma, and the rest of the family - thanks for all your work to make it happen, and thanks for holding that special, warm place in our hearts!! Love you all :) -faith