Missouri April 2009

I am still here, but I find Facebook to fit in better with my time. I do still plan to post on here, but as you can tell, it's not very frequent. :)

The kids wanted to go to the creek so bad, so on our first day there, Daniel took them to the little creek down by Koinania.

He suggested they build a little dam.

They all worked together, collecting rocks and building it.

The 2 youngest helping each other. :)

We went to Missouri for about 5 days and got to spend time with some great people! My sister Emily was there for a little bit, and her husband Jason, but he was there for really just a short time! April 26th was Emily's 25th birthday so we celebrated with a hayride (well technically a wagon ride since there was no actual hay. :) and some strawberry cream cheese pie, So yummy!

Getting ready to go.

In the middle of some fun conversation!

Abigail getting a turn riding with the drivers.

"Hi Joanna!"

Hannah's turn.

Isaac didn't want to go until after he saw his sisters give it a try. He really enjoyed it!

We got to see a foal that was just one day old! So cool.

Momma and baby

Abigail petting the horses.

Waylon, Emily, and Hannah meeting some other horses there.

Beautiful!

Also, my cousins Gen & Waylon were there. Always love spending time with them, though it's not near often enough!! Her sis Sarah and her kids, Emma - 8 and Christian - 5. Our kids connected with hers so quick. It was great! They had such a blast together and were so disappointed when it was time to leave! Their mom Nancy and hubby Wayne came along, too. Lots of fun time together! Anyone who knows the Gibes, knows it's always a fun time when they're around!

Grandma's creek

A pic of the baby bump @ 24 weeks

There was a huge piece of a tree that was floating in the creek, so the girls had fun "riding" it.

Getting on

Isaac splashing around.

Climbing on the rocks and jumping to Daddy.

Gen was there, too.

Momma Amy at Grandma's Creek

The kids just love to be outside there. So much to do and explore! We had some great experiences. My parents have some pretty interesting neighbors. ;) So, they took us to visit one. They had recently gotten an alligator someone found in a nearby river.

Taking it out of the tank.

They taped it's mouth to protect everyone!

The kids trying to pet it.

Daniel held it so they all could have a chance to feel it's skin.

Isaac holding it. Obviously, he takes after daddy. :0

Back in the tank with some clean water.

The kids also got to feed their goats.

Trying to feed the goats after the dog scared them away.

We'll feed them in their pen.

ELEPHANT ROCK STATE PARK

On our last day there, we all went to Elephant Rock State Park. The kids had fun climbing around with Waylon! Then it was such a sad good-bye. :(

Hiking up to a lake. Here are some views of it. So picturesque!

Now to the rocks....

Waylon, Hannah, Abigail, and Christian

Posing for a pic

Isaac and Joanna

In a tree trunk

Climbing, climbing, climbing......

Hannah maneuvering her way through.

Isaac found this caterpillar and carried it with him, (except when he asked me to hold it) the whole way.

Hannah and Abby holding up the rock. ;)

One huge rock!

Waylon, Isaac, and Joanna climbing around.

Cute Isaac!

Joanna

The moms chilling & talking while the kids and husbands explored.

Attempt at a family pic.

A turtle we saw in a different lake.

Joanna so wanted to ride on Waylon's shoulders, but was being shy.

Notice her hands clasped together, not touching Waylon at all!

Still clasped, but she enjoyed it so much that when she got down, she wanted right back up!

More climbing

Hannah, Abigail, Isaac, and Joanna

All the kids l-r: Christian, Hannah, Joanna, Abigail, Isaac, and Emma

"See our dirty behinds from the damp rocks?" :)

From there we drove halfway home and stayed the night in a hotel with a pool. The kids loved that! We didn't take any pictures though. :( It was such a fun trip and we look forward to spending time with all of them again!