July: Part 1

July was a very busy month!  It may take a couple of blogs to get you through it! :)  Our July started with a trip to Arkansas, via Missouri, to visit my family.

On the way down to Arkansas, we stopped to stay with my dad and his wife, Kathy, it their new house, just outside of St. Louis.

Brooklyn got to pet Grandpa’s leopard trophy that he got a couple of years ago in Africa!  She wasn’t afraid of this, but didn’t want to go anywhere near the little stuffed jackal!  Go figure.

We made a quick trip to the neighborhood playground before we had to hit the road again.  Not sure who the kids are in this picture! :)

The kids did as well as could be expected in the car.  Napping here and there, snacking here and there.  Brooklyn was very happy to have the new minivan so that she could watch Mickey Mouse and Dora for hours at a time.  And Brosnan discovered that he liked pineapple...

After two days and a total of 16 hours, plus stops, in the car, we finally we made it!  The next day was the fourth of July.  We enjoyed a do-it-yourself fireworks show.  No one set fire to themselves, so I would say that it was a success.  While we were waiting for dusk, Aunt Katie helped Brooklyn work on her golf game.

Then it was time for sparklers and fountains!

 

On the fifth, we headed up to Branson for an couple of nights.  Before we left, I outfitted them in their post-holiday duds.

That night we went to see Noah’s Ark, the musical.  It was a great show with an amazing set.  Lots of real animals, which Brooklyn loved!  The next morning, we went for a quick dip in the hotel pool.

   

We had a little family get-together the day before we had to go home.  The food was awesome!  We enjoyed getting to see everyone, and the kids definitely enjoyed the special attention.   I sure do miss getting to see everyone more than a couple times a year.  I’m looking forward to Christmas!

  And then it was back on the road again, back to Michigan.  Now you are through the first part of July.  Part 2 and maybe 3 are yet to come…stay tuned! :)