Last Thursday morning we packed down the car and took off on a week long road trip through Missouri and Illinois! Our first stop is always Chick Fil A in Joplin. These two were pumped for a vacay!
We made it to Uncle Mark and Aunt Hazel's around 6. The kiddos love to play at Mark and Hazel's. The horse is a novelty :-)
Cousin Ryan set up the marble tower and they played for hours. Hazel pulled out her original Barbie and Ken for Ava but I think the two of us enjoyed playing with them more. Ha!
They are always such wonderful hosts and we enjoy our visit with them so much!
We headed for downtown St. Louis Friday morning. The kids wanted to ride up the gateway arch. Jeff and I went up 13 years ago and knew they would love it! The area is under construction right now so we found a parking garage downtown.
Strolling the city on the way to the Arch
It's a four minute ride up in an elevator pod that travels diagonally. The kids were so excited!
Ava was hilarious! She gets so nervous before long elevator rides and roller coasters.
Taking in the views of the Mississippi River and the city!
Two kids in the Arch in 2003
13 years later!
We had lunch in the city before taking off for the St. Louis Children's Museum.
Ready to explore!
Climbing to the top floor... This museum was just incredible. There were so many rooms and stations that it was impossible to fit everything into one day. It was huge! And very interactive. The kids had so much fun exploring.
The Oval Office...
Construction site
Creative Station...
We left the Magic House and made the 2.5 hour drive to Grandpa Marvin's house in Kenney, Illinois. We stopped to pick up dinner in Springfield on the way. It was a pretty drive...Lots and lots of farmland!
When we pulled onto Grandpa's road, Jeff let a very excited Keegan drive ;-)
After dinner we played a little ping pong then spent the evening playing outside. The kids had a blast checking out the farm equipment, climbing trees and catching fireflies! It was so nice to spend some time with Grandpa.
He treated the kids to cookies and ice cream :-)
The kids have been really into catching lightning bugs since we had a few show up in our backyard this year. Grandpa's backyard was a sea of fireflies at dusk! They had so much fun! This was one of their favorite nights of the trip.
Success!
We had great night light in our hotel room that night :-)
It was such a beautiful Illinois evening! My view from the back swing said it all.
Saturday morning we enjoyed family, food and games at the Jensen family reunion!
It was so great to spend the day with family and meet new cousin Harper!
We left Kenney that evening and made the 2 and a half hour drive north to Chicago to spend a few days! More on those adventures soon!
We kicked summer off officially on Friday June 3rd with donuts and the new Ninja Turtles movie!
We are enjoying our season passes at Hurricane Harbor! Ava can ride almost all the water slides. Keegan enjoys the four slides he can ride but I think he loves the wave pool most!
Lots of pool time with Aunt Kara and the girls :-)
Sprinklers and water gun fun...
We finished baseball season a few weeks ago after a rainy May!
We celebrated with a trophy party after. Love these Yankees!
Picnics at the beach pool...
Braum's ice cream dates..
Fun with niehgborhood friends...
Ava's soccer team had a blast at their high school's soccer camp and they learned a lot!
They all came over to our house for a craft play date after camp one day. They built adorable houses and and had the best time!
The kids have loved watching American Ninja Warrier the last couple of years so they were so excited when an obstacle warrior kids opened just a couple of miles away!
Grandpa Hutchison and Cousin Josh and his family from Illinois came to visit and we had a great visit! The kids had a fun time with cousin Emma :-)
Josh, Grandpa and Gramps played on Saturday afternoon....
Ava had church camp Friday night and Saturday! The kids stayed overnight and enjoyed good food, activities and worship! Ava had the best time!
June has been so much fun! We have a fun July planned.... Hoping it won't fly by too quickly!
