KANSAS FAMILY TRIP: PART ONE

This year as we reviewed options to be together with my whole family, we decided to take the simplest route.  We would gather in Wichita, where much of the family already lives, and take advantage of local things to do together.  Especially with all of the young children, this proved to be a great plan.  This is our crew - minus one little one year old.


(Lily's face tho 😂)

Our little family drove in on Thursday and got to enjoy being with everyone on Thursday night.



Friday, we had scheduled a lake day for everyone, but for a while, it seemed as if we might be foiled by weather.




We chose to persevere and were rewarded for our efforts by a cloudy, coolish for August day at the lake.  The "titter-totter" 😂 was a big hit with the kiddos.

We had never been out to Mom and Wes's lake house, and it was great to see it and have a chance to enjoy it with everyone.  There was lots of swimming, kayaking, tubing and jet-skiing and a new baby to keep everyone occupied.


(My new niece, Marie, who we are all in love with! 😍)

(such a very Kansas setting with its own charm)

(V was made for the lake!)

(She was shaking it even in the middle of her allergies becoming more and more severe.)

It also happened to be John's actual birthday, so when we made it home, we celebrated with cookie cake.

And, as a super double bonus, it was the opening ceremonies for the Olympics, so we celebrated that too. 👊🇺🇸

I truly never imagined that I would love being with my siblings as much as I do, but it is wonderful.  It is also chaotic, but I love each of them so much and their spouses and children, and I am so thankful we got to play together!  Thanks so much for hosting us, Mom and Wes - you love and serve us so well.  😘