Random July

Here is the rest of our July. We had a great time hanging out at the splash pad with Aunt Kari, and just being together with friends at various places. Gemma even sat on the potty for the first time and looked like such a big girl! I don't have high hopes that will result in anything but it was kinda crazy to see her on there. Life is flying by and we are trying to soak in as much as we can!

 

 

Raging Waves

Possibly one of my favorite traditions of the summer has been our time at Raging Waves. This year Micah earned a free ticket through his efforts of exercising at school and Christian wasn't able to take off so Aunt Kari joined us instead. Gemma stayed back with my mom and the twins and we went out for the day. It was the perfect day for a water park (and I even ran in to Alissa in our matching suits, unplanned, haha). Micah was *just* tall enough to ride all the rides and Reid to ride the ones wiht an adult, so it worked out pretty well. Such a fun day with my boys and my sister!!

 

Carrie Underwood, baby.

SO.MUCH.FUN.

Kari and I headed out to Farmtown, Iowa last Friday night to watch Carrie Underwood in concert at Monticello County Fairground about 3 1/2 hours away. Josh had bought Kari tickets to the concert as a Christmas gift and here we are 7 months later cashing in on it! It was such a fun night really getting a chance to spend some quality time with Kari. I'll be honest, I struggle sometimes with her in Africa and so far away from us. I know she's following God's will and His plan for her life, but sometimes I really wish it didn't put her clear across the world. And knowing, also, that she's not planning on coming back to the states with her family for 3-4 years, I'm having a hard time. So I'm soaking it in. Every moment with her, Nolan and Quin. I don't have much time.

And therein lies our trip to Carrie Underwood. A fantastic performer, and fun night eating funnel cake and sweating to death with the locals in Monticello and bonding with my little sis. Thanks Josh :)

Family

Being able to get 9/10 cousins together in the same place is a true blessing. With Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Senegal, West Africa being the residences of my family, it is not often that we are all together so I am just soaking in every moment of Kari being in the states this summer and being surrounded by my family. It was such a blast watching the cousins play together and I can totally see continued friendship happening in years to come :)

Lake of the Ozarks

We headed out to Lake of the Ozarks with my entire extended family (minus Liza and Jolie) last weekend. Deanna's aunt and uncle have a house, and they graciously let us use their house for a few days. We all know that was no small ask, as there were 9 adults and 9 kids, with the oldest child being 6! The trip turned out just amazing, Micah became the bravest fish, literally in the water and also through fishing and everyone just had such a great time. I'm looking forward to more of these vacations in the future!