We weren't going to be able to make it home this summer due to money and PTO for Paul. My Mom really wanted to see us and made us an offer we couldn't refuse. She flew out on Friday, went to Chuckie Cheese on Saturday, and left for the drive to Pa on Sunday after church. The ride went pretty well. My Mom is such a trooper. Sadly the first week we were there it was cold and rainy. We made the best of it by taking the kids to a movie and my Mom and I did some shopping and got pampered some. It was really nice. Thankfully the second week we finally got some sun and got up to the pond. After a week and a half Paul flew out and stayed for a couple days before we had to drive home. Here are some pictures. Unfortunately some of them are not very clear because the camera wasn't always on the right setting.
Eden(niece) and Emma Grace. They are about 6 months apart and almost the exact same size. Judah and Canaan (nephew) are in the back.
Left->Right Ephraim, Eos(niece), Canaan, Starlight(dog), Judah
Ephraim showing his strength.
Canaan, Malachi (second cousin), Judah being Kings of the table.
Jacob, Mud Man.
They loved playing with tadpoles.
Judah all tuckered out.
Julie (my cousin-in-law) and Russell who is 3 days older than Emma Grace.
My awesome Grandfather!!
Grandpa, Emma Grace, and Mom.
Jacob was really excited that Grandpa brought up the tractor. As you can see I was letting him air out some. He had a sore rear.
He looks so much like my Dad. He got the scowl.
Grandpa taking them for a ride down to the house to get lollipops.
Emma Grace taking a nap in my Mom's arms.
Ephraim passed out at the dinner table.
Cuddling with Nana.
Grandma Linda came out and gave Emma Grace an early birthday.
She got her first babydoll. Hopefully she will be big into dolls as she gets older.
The first week not only was it cold and rainy, but most of the Hoover side of the family was sick. Thankfully they felt better before we had to leave and got to spend some time together.
Jacob and Parker(nephew) were so cute together.
Judah played games most of the time.
L->R: Paul, Ephraim, Judah, David, Mark, Pam
L->R: Pam, Mark, Judah, Spencer, Paul.
After dinner we made a fire and
s'mores.
On our way home we stopped at the St Louis zoo. It was really hot, but very nice!!
They had an awesome green house full of butterflies!
Waiting to get on the train.
My boys being otters :)
Puting the picture puzzle together.
Judah, How tall am I?
Sea lion show.
We had a pretty good trip minus a couple incidents. Like Ephraim watering Mom's plants with gasoline, and Jacob wandering away to the silo. But the ups out weighed the downs. Like taking Ephraim to see my brother grave and him remembering the story of what happened and accepting Jesus into his heart!! What a memory that will be!!!
