EAA 2011

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"Look we caught a grackle!" (w/ the neighbor boy)

bird retrieval

Evan and Grandpa Smith built a sparrow trap for Evan's 7th birthday. It lives in our yard during the summer and has caught many sparrows, a few squirrels, and even a chipmunk. One day the kids were delighted to have caught a grackle in it. When a bird is caught it is carefully removed and sometimes put in the small tent in the first picture. The kids "observe and study it" for awhile and then release it so "it doesn't get so scared it has a heart attack." Who says summer vacation isn't educational?

Hans turns 7

Birthday treat filled with berries and topped with ice cream.

Opening gifts and receiving birthday wishes via phone calls.

Excited for presents!

Later in the week we also had a gummy fish filled blue jello bucket.

On Hans' birthday he woke up at my parents as the kids had been there for a week of "kid vacation." Grandpa made made special breakfast before the kids and I hit the road for home. On the way we stopped at Uncle Michael, Aunt Tammy, and cousin Jacob's place for lunch and a visit. After playtime and presents we made it back to Oshkosh. Here we dined on grilled pizza and fruit topped ice cream cones at Hans' request. While spending the day traveling might not seem ideal Hans was happy to have been able to have breakfast, lunch, and supper all with different family members. That pretty much describes Hans: easy going and happy. Happy Birthday our dear boy, you make our lives happier and better. We love you so much.

4th of July Tubing

Lydia and Evan out in the tubes.

Next up Evan and Hans.

Nate and I took our turn.

Brian really, really tried to roll Nate and James as he pulled them around the lake.

Our last stop on our eleven day journey was my parents' house for a little Independence Day festivities. My younger brother Brian had brought his boat so we spent some time during the afternoon at a local lake tearing up the water. It was a great way to spend the final leg of our fabulous vacation.

Our Watertown Family

Silly kids.

Snakes in a bucket=happy boys.

Alyssa and Hans checking out his pictures.

A monkey in the tree by the deck.

On our way back east we headed on a more northern route through SD. We stopped in Watertown to visit our dear friends who live there. Before the van had even come to a stop the kids were wanting to get out because they could see Ethan and Ryan had caught a snake. I don't think we saw them for the next hour. The kids picked up right where they left off and were again fast friends. It was much the same with the adults. We spent the evening laughing until well after reasonable people head to bed. Sunday we attended church together and were treated to a fabulous brunch before we had to say a too-soon goodbye. Thank you for having us!

Free

Jon and the kids cuddling/wrestling.

This is the only picture I have of our stay with the Frees. Much like last year's trip, as we gallivanted around playing tourist we were hosted by the Free family. They welcome us like family and make us feel so at home. Thank you for you generosity! You will always have a special place in our heart. See you soon.

Misc Rapid City

The Trolley was a very convenient way to tour town as it rained outside.

A visit to a favorite place of ours, Dinosaur Park on Skyline Drive.

Three kids on a three horned dino.

We couldn't visit Rapid and miss Armadillo's. Mike's Peach Cobbler is a MUST.