Golf and Dinosaurs in Branson, MO

We went and did some mini golf today...a bunch of adults and kids...it was crazy fun!

Gwangi was so excited that we went to mini golf AND that it was DINO themed..."I love you, Mommy, this is the best day ever!"

All the future cousins, waiting by the dinosaur bones

Kenzie and Sissi, matching colored shirts and pink golf balls

Roman, putting his ball in the hole

I'm not quite sure she's got the whole "golf grip" thing down...

Where we went, in Branson, MO

One of the dinos, chasing a "guy" up the volcano

My sister, Kate

Gwangi LOVES dinosaurs!!!

Another dino

Part of the family up on the T-Rex course

A view of the volcano

Jake, really taking his golf game seriously

Stephen, keeping score and keeping us honest

Megan, taking a shot

Kenzie, she was up for some posing and getting her picture taken

About every 15 minutes the volcano would explode and "fire" would go up in the sky

Another picture of Jake

Megan and Stephen

My dad

Austin

Indy

Austin and Kate

"This was the best day ever!"

Another shot of the exploding volcano

Look at this swell family, nice family picture!

Cows and Rock Climbing

I'm trying to get caught up on a few more pictures that I took while we were in Indiana with Indy's family.  I was so hit or miss with taking pictures the past two weeks and I feel like I missed a bunch of opportunities...I've got to get that camera out more often!!!!  Remind me, ok?!!?

All of these pictures are from our day trip to Fair Oaks Farms, where we saw cows, learned about the milking process, and did some rock climbing.  Oh yes, that is what I said, rock climbing at a cow farm!

A cute shot of Sissi at Fair Oaks Farm

The climbing wall

The bounce ball

Watching the cows during the milking process

We got to see a live calf birth while we were there

Krypto conquered his fear of heights and did the climbing wall

Coming down the wall

Gwangi is our climber and he did the wall numerous times

Cousin Alex, ringing the bell when he reached the top

Sissi climbed the wall as well, she did the intermediate side as well.  She's earned her nickname, Monkey!

Rappelling down the wall

Even Penny gave it a go and had some fun

I thought this was a super cute shot of her at the bottom

Here goes Ruth, all the way to the top

Another free faller

Blueberries, ice cream, coughs, and the U.S.

I'm feeling a bit run down today.  I think the level of activity that we've been keeping and the cough that the kids had has finally caught up with me.  I'm trying to lay down and take it easy today, but as another coughing spell hits me, and I feel the need to sit up, I started wondering what I could do to distract myself from the wracking pain in my throat, chest, and ears....yuck!

So, I'm going to clear off the rest of the pictures on my camera and let you see what we did yesterday...as I napped in the car between activities...

I did miss taking ANY pictures on the 4th of July, as I was so tired after the overnight drive from Ontario to Indiana.  We had a wonderful time on Lake Michigan, enjoying the Indiana Dunes, seeing some of Maria's family and friends, setting off a few fireworks, and having a bonfire.

I've got to tell you, as I thought about my feelings on the 4th of July and what I feel about being an American, I had so many different thoughts...the usual thoughts of our many freedoms and those that fought for it were there first, but, then there were the things that I missed while we were in Tanzania.  Things like the easy drives to see family and friends and do all of the kinds of outings that we've been doing...things like seeing old historic forts, playing at local parks, taking hikes to find letterboxes, going blueberry picking.  I also missed the quick "run to the store" to pick up the few items you forgot for the meal.  I missed being able to drive down paved and named streets with accurate directions to get somewhere and on the way be able to see really beautiful and original homes because they aren't surrounded by an 8 ft. high wall with electric fencing across the top.  After only three weeks I hope I'm not already taking for granted the fact that the electricity doesn't go out, or that I won't be able to find what I need when I go to the store, or that I'll have water come out of my faucet when I turn it on.  I no longer think to look for the water heater switch so I can have hot water in my shower...have I so quickly adjusted back to my "conveniences"...ouch!

There are so many different things to think about and to take into account after living overseas, in another culture.  Maybe I can think about it some more once the pace of life slows down a bit. For the next month though, the roller coaster is going to continue, I'm just trying to hold on for the ride and enjoy the memories as much as I can....trying to stay thankful in all circumstances for the many blessings that the Lord has provided for us!

Sissi pumping water at the blueberry farm

Indy, picking blueberries in Michigan City, Indiana

Gwangi, trying to figure out if the blueberry was ripe enough to pick

Just the beginning of his pickings.  I think by the end we had 11 lbs of blueberries.

Lara, picking the berries

Sissi, don't you love the leftover red and blue hair color from the 4th of July?

Maria

After blueberry picking we went over to New Buffalo, Michigan and got some ice cream at a really great shop.  We also drove along the lake shore and looked at all the lake houses.

Indy wanted his picture taken with the Delorean at Oinks...a historian's dream car!

Highlights, in pictures, of our time in Canada

After our time in DC, we drove up to Ontario, Canada...just over the border from Buffalo, NY.  We got to spend some time with my old college friend, and maid of honor at our wedding, Steph Waugh, and her (and her husband's) family!

During our time there, we got to take some walks to see the houses, flowers, and a local lighthouse.  We also got to go sailing with her and her husband, Pascal, at the Buffalo Canoe Club.  We took a trip north to see the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and then on to Fort Erie to see some of the local history of the area from the War of 1812.

It was a full trip...full of activity, food, fun, friends, and memories.  We plan to go back for more at some point.  We are so thankful for friends that "adopt" us as their own.  What a wonderful feeling to be a part of so many families!

The house we got to stay in, thanks to Steve and Kate for their hospitality!

View from the house

I really liked this sign

It was so peaceful and pleasant out on the Point

What a wonderful yard and the flowers here were gorgeous

My girl

Most of the houses had both Canadian and American flags flying

Another shot of the shore

Finding rocks and sticks

Sissi really enjoyed all the flowers to look at and take pictures of on our walks

We got to go to the Buffalo Canoe Club and try out some sailing

The boys on the beach

Jumping in the sky, they were so excited and got along super well

The view of the Canoe Club from under the walkway

Mac, playing in the mud

Indy and Pascal

The water is super shallow for a long way from the shore.  The boys had free reign to run and play.

Sissi and Ila making mud pies

The lighthouse just up the street from where we stayed

The history of the lighthouse

Straight on shot of the lighthouse

I really got into taking a bunch of flower shots on this trip, hope you enjoy them

Thomas and Gwangi

Indy, out on the boat

Steph, showing the girls how a life jacket works

Sissi, talking to Steph about being safe on the boat

The girls, waiting for us to pull away.  Pascal let all of the kids get a chance to steer the boat!

Trip to Niagara Falls

Some amazing shots of the falls were just too good to pass up

And, the gardens around the falls were very well maintained

Really liked this spot, I would have loved to have sat and read a book here

Family shot, thanks Kate!

The boys

A view of the American side of the Falls, we stayed on the Canadian side

My boy, Krypto

Another view of the American side of the falls

Boys, playing in the tree as we ate our picnic lunch after viewing Niagara

Ila and Sissi had their own tree to play in

Ila, what a sweet girl

Thomas, he and Nathan became fast friends

Mac, reading with her Aunt Sandy while Uncle Jeff took a nap

Thomas and Pascal

Droke, what a camera ham

Cute boy

Last trip of the day was Fort Erie

Have to get shots of Gwangi and cannons

The Commander's Quarters

Where the commander would have slept

His desk

Where the rest of the soldiers would have hung out, eaten, and played games

I love these old desks

One of the reenactors

Doing some shooting for the Fort's guests