Family Reunion 2011

As I mentioned in my last post, we didn't have a strict itinerary, we just needed to be to my Aunt's farm by Friday evening. I'm happy to report we made it safe and sound after driving hundreds of miles throughout the week. The kids were anxious to hang out with my cousin's children, and we were ready to kick back and relax some more.

My Aunt and Uncle live just south of the Iowa/Missouri border and have a well stocked fishing pond on their land...the highlight of Casey's visit there!

Chase's first graham cracker!

S'mores....not just for kids!

Check out all the fish Casey and the kids caught!

My sister, Kara, bottom left...not impressed with the fish that her daughter, Nikki, is teasing her with.

We spent another night in our trusty camper and then prepared the next morning for the next leg of our trip. Casey got really good at putting the camper up and down!! He was such a trooper, didn't complain once about it. It is definitely handy and a lot cheaper than getting a motel every night. We headed out mid-morning for our family reunion on my Dad's side in Kirksville, MO. This was our last stop of the trip.

We always look forward to seeing all of the horses and buggy's in Missouri.

We met with my Aunt's and cousins at a park for lunch. The reunion was scheduled for the evening. After eating, the kids quickly spied a drainage ditch. Any water on a hot humid day is welcome and it didn't take long for us to have several soaked kiddos!

Chase crawling down the hill, trying to keep up with the big kids!

Here Kyndal is annoyed that she splashed herself while trying to cautiously cross over the ditch; and exactly opposite, Corbin is splashing around like a little pigpen....gotta love how distinct their personalities are and how differently they react to a situation!

At my Aunt's house the kids had a blast jumping on the trampoline and playing in the water.

Water balloons, water guns, a baby pool, a hose spraying water.....you get the picture! It was HOT and HUMID and they were determined to stay wet and cool!

The boys did more fishing!

Pizza for supper!

The whole gang (that was present.)

Trying to stay cool

Lawn game of the year....BADMINTON!!!

We had an absolute blast with it! And we were super sweaty!

Bright and early Sunday morning we put down the camper for the last time that week and hit the road for our last leg of the trip, we were home-bound! With the detour due to the flooding, it was a long drive, we were so anxious to get to home sweet home.

We loved our crazy adventure that was for the most part un-scheduled and allowed for us to be spontaneous and to do lots of exploring....but there is most definitely "no place like home!"