Fun with the Fam

Can you handle a few more days of vacation fun?

The original purpose of this trip, around which all other adventures were built, was to go see my family in Kansas, because...we have a new baby in the family! I didn't blog about him when he was born, because the world has gone crazy on us and protecting details for privacy is a much bigger deal than it used to be. But Ryan and I became a great-aunt and uncle for the second time...to the sweetest little baby boy. And you know how I love babies! I had to get out there and see his adorable face before he was...you know...driving. And we hadn't seen his older sister in two and a half years, which is insane. 

So that was the whole reason for the trip! And then we added the ranch/Badlands/Dodge City in front of it and a few more fun things for the way home. (The way home is always sad and long, so why not make it more fun by adding stops along the way?)

I won't bog you down with every single thing we did and ate during the four days we stayed with the fam, but I'll give you a few of the highlights!

First up, of course, we met the baby. Goodness, he's sweet.

And while I was busy counting baby toes and tickling his little cheeks, Ryan was very busy:

Kinetic sand. It's as much fun for the grown-ups as it is for the kids. 

Oh! And dear, sweet Murphy. He's getting older, but he's every bit as sweet as the first day I met him. Cassie got a real gem with this boy.

Can't get enough of the water table!

And whose pool is this, anyway?

Picked up some new books for the summer reading program...

My sister has a tiny garden at her house, which Little Miss planted herself and waters faithfully. VERY faithfully. I'm not sure how the thing hasn't drowned out yet! But with the help of her Paw Patrol buddies (featured in the mud below) she showed me how she waters. And waters. And waters. And waters. 

My sister had been prepping her to meet Abby (the camper...which was confusing since they have a dog named Abby) and she LOVED IT. In fact, after she went through it, she wanted to take everyone else on a tour - even if they had already seen it or did not want to see it. We feel that a tour guide could be a viable career for her.

She even found the pipes under the sink fascinating. (And showed them on all her tours.)

We were in town over a weekend, so we got to hear my brother-in-law preach, which is always one of my favorite things. I learn so much from him!

AND it happened to be his birthday, so Lori made a special meal and cupcakes for dessert!

(I see they are very focused on lighting the candle!)

We took walks with Jeff and Lori every evening - all over town - which is always one of my favorite things to do, since I love the town so much. One night, on the way home, Ryan decided to do his own Ninja Warrior obstacle course. He won. LOL. 

Ryan also got to spend part of one day with my niece's husband - out in the field. (His family farms.) Ryan said they had a great time talking and it was fun to hang out with him for a while.

And we squeezed in a little more kiddo time before we had to leave. 

And one more walk:

It was such a fun stay. We loved every minute!!