We made our second journey to Kansas for the summer. We had it planned before we found out about Mom's cancer, so it fell at the perfect time and we were able to spend some time with the Grandparents before the Mom's chemo treatments started. Douglas had his annual D-Day paintball week in Wyandotte, OK, so he dropped us off in Oklahoma City at my sister Maria's house. We had so much fun playing with cousins and swimming before Grandpa picked us up and we headed to Kansas. My niece Sadie came with us and helped play with the kids and made doll clothes with Grandma. We had such a fun week of shopping, swimming at the YMCA waterpark, reading with Grandma, wrestling with Grandpa, watching movies and having lots of quality time. There is a school right behind their house and the kids loved playing on the playground.
The fields around Mom and Dad's house were full of golden winter wheat ready to harvest and they were very beautiful. We saw quite a few pheasants on the side of the road and we passed a lot of Amish families in their horse drawn carriages. The area has it's own beauty and charm.

When Douglas finished his testosterone filled paintball week, he joined us in Kansas and told us many stories of his paintball games, leading battles, using his night vision to annihilate his unsuspecting enemy, playing miles gear with real M-4's, M-16's, and AK-47's, and finally being beaten by the German's in the final battle. Grrrrrr! I'll let him tell you all the details, but it sounded like a whole lot of fun.

We said goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa and headed back to Oklahoma City to Maria and Chuck's home. We had a Bar-b-q and enjoyed spending time with their family. The kids had so much fun playing in the back yard on the trampoline and in the kiddie pool. Gracie and Brigham started "baptising" each other in the pool. Unfortunately Marley got in the pool and got "baptised" by Gracie. (More like pushed under the water) Douglas ran out and jumped in the pool and pulled a very scared, panicking Marley. Thank goodness Sadie was watching and told him! Everything turned out just fine and Douglas had a good talk with Gracie and she felt horrible. It was a good learning experience and we're glad he's okay. Whew! Being a parent is very hard and scary sometimes! The rest of our visit was pleasantly calm and we loved being with our cousins. My only regret is that I didn't take more pictures of the adults. Next time I'll get everybody.

On the way home we stopped in Dallas and ate our favorite Sushi place and did a little shopping.
It was nice to come home and sleep in our own beds. It took the rest of the week for Douglas to get through his paintball withdrawals, and he's already planning for next year. We're happy to be home...at least for a few days.

Marley and Lydia happy to be playing together.

Gracie taking a break from the pool to have a snack.

Marley and Lydia making a lot of noise in the back seat.

A car packed full of kids.

Playing Grandma's piano.

Marley looks like he's about to play a sonata.

So sweet

Grandma helping Marley play baseball.

What are you doing Gracie? Filling up my shoes with rocks of course.

Having so much fun reading with Grandma

Running through the sprinklers for the first time ever.

It was a hit with Gracie. Marley, not so much.

So happy!