Mom and I took the kids to Missouri for 4th of July to visit the family. The kids were great on the plane and really helpful this year as we lugged all of our suitcases onto the rental car van, through the rental building, and then to the car. Travelling with 3 carseats, countless luggage and a stroller is a pain. It's nice that the kids are getting old enough to wheel a bag and push the stroller, makes it much more doable.
We have so many memories of meals at this table with the entire Watkins clan.
The kids had lots of cousin time with Rose, Emma and Katie in Missouri and then the Allens at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Aunt Laura was recovering from her knee replacement so we drove up to the Lake for the day to visit her and Susie and Michael. Destin taught Willem how to play chess and Susie played a few games of checkers with him. Paul and Barb happened to be there and it was Paul's 70th Birthday so we were able to celebrate with him as well. Grandma made the drive with us and was extremely patient as Ellie and Audrey took turns screaming on the car ride.
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When Jason is not with me, I'm not great at taking pictures. Other memories from MO:
-We went to Boone's landing and watched the sunset over the river. There was a belly dancer performing and a man breathing fire, quite a sight for the kids.
-Each morning the kids would wake up and wait as long as they could (9am) before running down to Aunt Martha's house to play with their cousins. Their teenage cousins were so sweet with them. Each morning they played board games with Willem (Life, Monopoly, and other games we haven't played much at home yet). Martha dug out all of Rose's old dolls and she and Audrey played with their babies and climbed into the treehouse that Bob had built.
-For 4th of July we watched the fireworks from the cemetery. May sound strange but we had a great view and were not the only people there, yet it was not crowded.
Overall we had a great time and were lucky to have so many people travel in to see us while we were there.
