A few years ago, when Charlie was 2 or 3, I went to visit the Brazell's as a way to find something to do while Matt hunted. We had so much fun that Matt skips that weekend and comes with us. Normally, when we get together, we send the kids off so we can crazy, so it's nice to have something that the kids can be around S&C. Charlie adores them. After pregnancy and a newborn hijacked the last 2 years, we are back at it. It's a tough time of year to stick to, but I'm so glad we've made it a priority.
We couldn't have asked for a nicer weekend, it was mid 60s, and felt like a nice, warm, fall day. Not the first weekend in December.
We always try to find something kid friendly to do during the day. We ventured out to the World Bird Sanctuary. Kara's friend runs the hospital and we got a behind the scenes look at the injured animals they were rescuing. It was amazing!
Charlie got to hand feed one of the rescue owls. Maggie and I had to leave, her eyes wouldn't stop watering.
Charlie playing with Scott's virtual reality goggles.
The infamous train that emits real steam!
Maggie and Sydney
Maggie was fighting a cold most of the weekend, but it got bad on Sunday. We hightailed it out of there to get her home.
Ended up taking her to urgent care at Children's Mercy. All she wanted was to lay her head on me. She had a chest x-ray to check for pneumonia. That came back clear, but she had a nasty virus and was dehydrated.
Boy Scouts has been awesome. This is our first year, so it was really important that it went well. This is something that is just for Dad and Charlie which I think is really special for both of them. We have a good scout leader, most of the parents and kids are great (and relatively normal, which is rare for a kid's activity) and they do some really fun stuff, we're looking forward to next year...
I hate that it takes a tragedy to bring old friends together. Melissa's father passed away a couple of weeks ago and we all came together for the funeral. We swore we would get together soon and we actually did - it's a miracle! I've known these girls since freshman year in college, 20 years this fall if you can believe it. And on a pregnancy update- I'm 28 weeks in this picture, just hitting my 3rd trimester!
Melissa's mom Gail played such a big role in all our lives, we just adore her. She graciously opened her house to us and our children for a Sunday picnic. It was so great to sit and chat and laugh at our kids together. She calls us her 'chickens'. She's the cutest.
Matt is one of those guys that just needs one good guy friend. I need a flock of friends in my circle, but not Matt. Eric is that guy. They may fish together here and there, but they mostly go months without seeing each other until deer woods/hunting season. The deer woods is this amazing piece of private land in the middle of Missouri where they are lucky enough to have permission from the owner to hunt on. Over the years we've camped there and other various activities. They try to go down and work on the land as payment for the privilege to access it pretty much any time they want. Eric's kids and B&E have grown up together, (they are technically cousins since Eric and Matt were married to sisters). But it's a rare treat when all the kids can get together on the same weekend. Eric and Matt put so much work into this weekend to get all the kids there at once. The planets aligned, and even though there were some hiccups, they were able to all go on the same weekend. Even little Charlie got to go. This is his first big boy trip the deer woods and he was SO excited to be included. He's heard about the deer woods his entire life. They had SUCH a good time. The weather was perfect, everyone got along, everyone helped with Charlie, it was great. I'm hoping they get to do this every year for years to come.
They got a late start on Friday - Ethan had a choir competition. So they didn't hit the road until about 8pm
They didn't get in until about 11:30 at night
B&C - Bridgette drove down from Columbia late Friday
Ready to play with the big kids
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Getting an early start on gun safety with a BB gun
Smacked in the lip playing catch
I guess Charlie was a trooper all weekend except for the late Saturday afternoon walk down to the river (that's him lagging WAY behind and mostly crying - in dire need of a nap)
They gave fishing a shot, didn't catch anything
Charlie and Kelsey
Bridgette napping on the rocks....only Bridgette
All the kids! Bridgette & Charlie, Kelsey (Eric's stepdaughter) Alex & Aaron (Eric's boys)
OUT
Everyone was sleeping, so early Sunday morning Matt & Charlie went for a walk. Matt took a ton of pictures of Charlie, mostly because he knows my obsession with trickling streams (proof that, as much as I deny it, Missouri is the place for me)
Three stinky boys on their way home, not as chipper as on the way there.
