Amish Farm

This place was awesome. The whole family was in an open wagon pulled by a horse and guided by an Amish man named Aidan. He was super nice and so patient with our group. We saw all kinds of animals, almost none of which I can name. The kids could feed or pet everything. Grandma fed an aggressive ostrich, the kids fed giraffes, which were huge. The animals with the HUGE horns were a little unnerving as they came up to the wagon. Getting poked by one of those things would really hurt. There was some animal that the kids just dumped food into its mouth. He snorted and got gross stuff on some of us. Yuck! It was super hot and most of the adults were begging for some shade but it was sure a memorable experience. We were able to visit an Amish cheese store before we got to the farm and they had free samples of cheese. I think we all tasted like 40 different flavors not to mention the fudge, which was to die for. We left and headed for an ice cream shop we had frequented as kids but found it out of business so we stopped for a cone at the local McDonald's.

Cars we like

Alexa has been making a list of the cars she likes for quite some time. On our recent road trips to Kansas and Ohio she kept a tally of how many mustangs she'd seen. We were waiting for grandma to run an errand and Mackenzie saw this BMW in the parking lot and asked me to take her picture because she really liked this car. Obviously she has some expensive taste. Dayton say the motor home behind Mackenzie and said, "I really like that car." We all laughed. He doesn't want it for travel but to take to work because then he can eat lunch in luxury. I think they were all a little shocked to find out the sticker price on all of the vehicles they were admiring. They just need to save their money and work hard. Anything is possible.

Cub Camp and Girls Camp

Although I don't have pictures I need to document that these events took place this summer. Dayton had a blast at cub camp this year, no surprise. Although is was the hottest week ever he survived and passed off all kinds of requirements. There were quite a few boys from our ward and he loved every minute of it. Alexa spent a week at girls camp in literally the hottest week of the year. They actually did their 6 mile hike in 115 degree weather and survived. She came home with lots of details and stories to share. Prior to leaving for camp, the leaders had asked us to write her a letter expressing our thoughts and feelings about her and to ask family and friends to do so as well. Alexa had a huge response and received 12 letters. I was lucky enough to read them all and am grateful for the loving, supportive people she has in her life. We missed them both during the time they were away. It was a great summer and we had a lot of fun spending time together.

The Salin family

Some friends move away or you move away from them but no matter how far apart you live or how few and far between your conversations are you will be able to pick right back up where you left off and feel like time hasn't passed by at all. Valerie Salin is one of those friends for me. She has been asking us to come and visit for a while and I've come up with one excuse after another and finally this year decided, sure, why not? The kids and I left right after piano lessons on Tuesday and we stayed until Saturday and it was wonderful. We found a super yummy ice cream place, watched Jackson and Emma-Kate compete in a swim meet, met Caroline, played in the water, Valerie and I performed at a funeral (she sang and I played piano), visited Kaleidoscope, played in the fountains and talked and talked. It was one of the more relaxing vacations I've had because we didn't have an agenda. I am a better person for having gotten to know and love the Salin family. Thank you for allowing us to bombard your home. We had a great time and we love you!

The Fountains

These fountains are downtown Kansas City by the mall. Visiting them was on the list of summer things to do for the Salin family and we just happened to be in town for the fun. The kids had a BLAST! There are few things I enjoy more than watching my kids have a good time and this was one of those times for me. Pure joy. Who would have guessed that water spraying up from little holes in the ground could bring such joy.

Kaleidoscope

Jackson, Dayton, Emma-Kate, Lizzy, Mackenzie, Alexa and Caroline

Downtown Kansas City has a place called Kaleidoscope which is run by Hallmark. You get a free ticket for a 20minute period of time to come in a make crafts. The kids made their own puzzles, visors, glow-in-the-dark drawings, flags and greeting cards. All of the materials are left-over from something Hallmark produced and it was a fun adventure for us. Thanks Salin's for showing us this cool place.

Liberty Jail

While we were visiting the Salin's in Kansas City we were able to visit The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint visitors center in Independence Missouri. We watched the new Joseph Smith film and then drove to Liberty Jail. This is one of the church sites we have never been to. It was really amazing to see how the jail had been built and the conditions the prophet and others were required to live under. Very little light, inability to stand up straight due to the 6 foot ceiling, and lack of sanitary facilities. Some of the sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were received here and one that I remember was the Lord counseling Joseph that his afflictions would be for a short time but if he endured it well God would exalt him on high. It brought a new perspective for me to see those conditions and to think of the trials I am facing. I'm so grateful for the time and energy the church has put into restoring these sights from the history of the church. There is a spirit present there and my testimony is strengthened from having visited.

Theo

We have some friends from the ward who got a puppy a few months ago. Mom and the kids are in Utah visiting family and dad was going on high adventure with the young men from our ward. They needed someone to watch Theo while they were gone and I volunteered. Theo has been with us for a week and he has been a lot of fun. He is still a puppy and super playful. He likes to bit everything, especially fingers. He loves to run around and usually comes when he's called. He's easy to pick up and hold and when I lay down on the floor he loves to run around and on top of me. We've had a great time with Theo. It has made it easy for me to move on from the dog issue for the time being. I've gotten used to the freedom of going and coming when we want and not having to vacuum so frequently. On the flip side, it sure is nice to have someone so excited to see you when you get back from somewhere.

Flowing Well Park

Every summer we join the Monon Center, which is an awesome water park/pool in Carmel, Indiana. It takes us about 20 minutes to get there from our house and we drive right by a natural flowing well park. People come and fill up water bottles and jugs from this fresh water well. The water is delicious and cold. We have never stopped until this year. Partly because I, mom, am dressed for a swimming pool, not a park. Partly because we want to get to the pool right when it opens so we get a good spot. On our way home one day we decided to stop. It was super hot outside, super hot. The kids walked into the water and started freaking out because the water was so cold. They had a great time exploring and walking through the water, looking for shells and trying to skip rocks. After they finished we filled up water bottles from the well, of which I didn't get a picture.