Home from Illinois

We returned on Sunday from a week long vacation to Illinois. We went to visit the kids' grandparents and to visit our other family and friends. It also gave "C" a chance to meet everyone and we got to meet two new babies that are now in the family. "C" did great meeting everyone. He occasionally got names (like Uncle Luke or Seth) confused because there were so many new people he met at once! One very meaningful moment came as a surprise to us on Sunday at church. The minister called our family to the front to welcome "C" as a new addition to our family and to pray for us. Daniel & I were asked to speak a few words, but we were both surprised that we didn't know what to say. After the prayer, everyone could come by and shake our hands and see "C". I think that's the only time "C" felt really overwhelmed and he worriedly asked me if he could stay with Daniel or myself during that part.

Some highlights from our vacation include a day trip to the St Louis Zoo. That's our family's favorite zoo and definitely one of the best we've been too! We also enjoyed an evening with our Missouri friends. It was great catching up with all of them along with seeing how big their kids are getting. Back in Illinois, our kids enjoyed swimming, fishing, paddle boating, a tractor pull, riding rides at a county fair, feeding cows, miniature golfing, baking cookies with Grandma, and lots of playing outside. It was a busy week!