BEACH Time!!

This year, we were blessed with a week at a condo in Destin, FL, for free, thanks to the generosity of Shawn's friend, Dr Root.  It was a week full of beach and pool time, pickle ball and shuffleboard,  and lots of great food!  We cooked in a few nights and ate out a few others.  We visited the super cool Air Force Armament Museum on a rainy day, and another day we took a drive down 30A to check in out.  We also linked up with cousins John and Jaime and their kids Chase and Callie, for a couple days, who live nearby in Niceville.  They spent an afternoon at our resort beach and pool with us and then they treated us to a day of boating and dinner at their boat club.  Two new fun things the kids tried on this trip were paddle boarding and water skiing....they picked up the paddle boarding much easier than the skiing but had fun doing all of it.  It was a great, relaxing family fun week at the beach!

paddle boarding

flying kites and relaxing

Our very nice condo

These two had a blast together -actually all the kids did!

July 2022

In July, Nicholas went for a second week at Woodruff Scout camp with his friend Connor.  They had a great time and earn several more merit badges!

Enjoying our dining room and Grandma Burkemper's china

Nicholas cooked a feast for us one night - cedar plank salmon, rosemary potatoes, and Brussel sprouts with caramel corn milk shakes for dessert

We were treated to a visit with Mary Katherine!

Henry had a sleepover with his friend Nathan

On the way back from picking Samuel and Grace up from Mom, we stopped at Buckey's for the first time ever...what an experience!

Samuel's Trip to Grandma's

Each of the kids has had a turn having 1 special week, just themselves, to go to Grandma and Grandpa's.   This summer was Samuel's turn!  Grace went along too as a helper since it's just Grandma there now (and Sam can be a handful:-). Of course, Grandma spoiled them and treated them to an amazing fun week!  It's no wonder all the kids think going to Grandma's house is one of the the best places in the whole wide world to go!!

They were treated with a trip to the Saint Louis Zoo!!!

Aunt Mindy and Connor and Matthew were able to join in...great cousin time!

Special time with cousins

And also treated to a behind the scenes tour of Busch Stadium!

Living the good life at Gigi's!! :-)

He loves the cat! (and all animals)

Swimming with Aunt Mindy and boys at their neighbor's

Loving on "Batman"the rabbit

Decorating the treehouse

"Water Day!"

True JOY!!!!