Backyard Oasis

When we are not traveling, we love to hang at home...

on the swingset, in the sandbox and eating ice cream!

Yummy!

Iowa Reunion

All nine cousins!

Thomas exploring the corn.
Benjamin driving an old tractor.

Last weekend we traveled with the entire May family to Iowa for a Warneke family wedding! It was a reunion in itself, really...we brought a total of 17 guests (9 kids) to the event. The whole thing went amazingly smoothly, actually, and we lucked out- the grandparents rode with us! :)

Weekend at the Fort

Over the weekend, we took a drive to Fort Wayne to visit my family, and my Grandma, who was visiting from Iowa. It was a fun weekend- chatting with my Grandma on the porch, eating big dinners on the screened-in deck, and playing with our nieces and nephews!

Benjamin meets Grandma Warneke.

At the Fort Wayne Zoo!

At the Botanical Gardens Conservatory.

Happy Fourth!

Sean and Benjamin, Grandma Joan, Thomas and Grandpa Steve

On our way home from vacation, we stopped at Sean's grandparents home on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. We spent the fourth of July with them- it was wonderful to see them and celebrate the 4th together at the lake!

First Family Vacation: Branson Part 1

The first week in July, we went on our first family vacation to Branson, Missouri. The drive there (10 hours) was a bit brutal, since we decided to drive through the night, but once we got there we had a great time! We spent a ton of time just hanging out at the resort (thanks Mom and Dad!), and going to the pool. Both of the boys are little fish- Thomas is jumping off the wall, and Benjamin just happily splashes away.

First Family Vacation: Branson Part 2

Aside from heading to the pool nearly everyday, we also went to an amusement park, Silver Dollar City, for two days. It was totally geared towards families, and so Thomas and even Benjamin were able to go on several rides! Thomas had a blast! I took him on a log ride with a steep splash hill at the end- and he loved it. His face was hilarious as we plunged down the huge hill at the end. He also went on a lots of kiddie rides, including his first roller coaster!

On the Silver Dollar Train with Mommy.

Daddy and Thomas in the rear car of the roller coaster.

Walking the swinging bridge.

Benjamin rode in the backpack carrier all day- without a single complaint!