The month of July was a wonderful whirlwind for us (also know as: furlough)! Our time in the States began with 38 of our family members meeting us when we arrived at the airport in Bloomington! Many joyful tears and hugs were shared, and thus commenced a month brim full of quality time with family, friends and church family! What a blessing!
Our first stop after the airport was Steak n Shake at about 10:00 p.m.!
Aunt Jamie planned a fun-filled "Cousin's Summer Camp"!
They enjoyed water balloons....
painting t-shirts....
three legged races, and much more!!!
We headed to the Northwoods of Wisconsin with our dear friends, the Grimms! It was a precious time and loads of fun!
We double dated one evening and enjoyed a fish fry!
Another highlight was taking the boat to "Cathy's" for ice cream!
We stayed at a cabin on a lake! A beautiful setting and accommodations!
We all did go-carting one day.
All of us learned how to water ski! Unfortunately, Mama was the slow learner:(but at least i can say I've skied!)
Some of the best times were random together times that weren't really planned, but turned into great memories! We took quite a few jeep rides with my family, and one surprised us with a tree in the path, no brakes on the jeep and going down hill! Thankfully no on was hurt, and the guys always love the challenge of getting out of a fix like that!
July nights in IL are the best! This is a jeep load of my two sisters and one brother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law and nieces and nephews! Sterling is on my lap, and this trip home was the first time we got to meet him! So special!
The stuck jeep!
The boys and Kurt enjoyed catching a bunch of fish and then frying it up for supper that night! My Pops joined the fun, too.
The entire Plattner family was together in St. Louis for a little vacation. We enjoyed many activities, food and fun! Wonderful memories of special family time!
Darci, Toby and Jayci on the ferris wheel at the City Museum.
The guys dined out while we ladies went shopping.
Brenna even got to drive a go-cart!
The St. Louis Zoo on a blazing hot day. Is it just me or aren't all days at the zoo hot!
We spent a lovely summer night on the porch at Joy and Derek's house! Hadley and Summer are good buddies!
All together again at last! My sisters, mother and me.
We were thankful to spend some time with our friends from Zambia, who were on furlough at the same time as us.
My family enjoys playing and singing music, and this little jam session happens to be on a hayrack ride!
We went to the 4th of July parade at Mom and Dad Plattner's with the Plattner family. Jayci, Toby and Burke are all the same age and such good friends!
The rest of the day on the 4th was spent at Mom and Dad Wiegand's with the Wiegand family. There was clay pigeon shooting, swimming, a cookout, and fireworks! Our kids spent as much time with their cousins as possible and loved every minute!
We spent an afternoon and evening at Bill and Heidi's lake for swimming, eating, and quality time together!
God wonderfully provided a house for us to stay at in rural Secor for the month! It was just down the road from my parents, and the place suited us perfectly. We enjoyed many mornings on the screen porch with our coffee and Bible.
We had a special girls day out, and we enjoyed shopping and Olive Garden.
Hadley and his big bass!
One evening we went to Tobin's for pizza, and then relaxed at a band concert in Danvers, IL. So glad to spend time with friends!
This was a special luncheon that my singing group organized. Each one of them is a dear, dear friend to me!
A big fish fry was a highlight of our "stay-cation" that we had at Mom and Dad Wiegand's.
Aunt Jamie spent a day with us in Morton while we had dentist appointments and did last minute shopping.
So, that is a glimpse of our month in the States! We wouldn't want to live every month of our lives that busy, but for one month, it was completely worth it! We soaked it in and savored every moment! Thanks be to God for giving us safe travels and good health!
