Down the road and back again

First stop, Sioux Center, IA (after missing our exit and getting there VERY late) and fun with friends and cousins.  The kids have a mental list of things they like to do at each house.  We played Uno Attack, dress up, went swimming, watched cartoons in the basement, played darts and ping pong, walked to Dordt, ate in the screened porch, and played with cousins.  We didn't make it to the Sioux Center Park, or the Orange City Park and we didn't clean our van.  Maybe next trip!  

Next stop, Hollandale, MN.  We played at the fair, celebrated Brandon's birthday, rode in the back of the pickup to the neighbor's 'farm' to pet the goats, butchered two chickens (and watched one flap with his head cut off), drove the mower/tractor, put rollers in hair, colored and played games, got a banana through the peek a boo hole, and painted the chicken house.

Jessica and Anika were fascinated with the chickens being butchered.  Brandon and Maria found other things to do very quickly!

Next stop - Brainerd, MN - after a quick visit with friends in the Cities for lunch - thanks guys!

At the cabin we fish, swim, jump on the trampoline, play at the park, hunt for worms, dig in the sand, drive the jet ski, water ski, tube, knee board, wake board, go to a wonderful church, and generally spend 12 hours outside.  The stars are amazing at the cabin.  I got to slalom again this year which was very fun, Brandon wake boarded and skied, Anika skied and knee boarded, Jessica skied, and all four went tubing. SOOOO much fun.

Next stop, the suburbs of Minneapolis.

We had a beach day with LOADs of people we hadn't seen in ages, Jessica and Maria got hair wraps just like they used to - thanks Olivia, and in general everyone played with friends they missed.  Maria summed it up well a few days ago when someone asked her about it.  She said she has friends here, she just misses the ones in MN!  

Thank you all for a wonderful vacation.  For time to relax and just be normal - albeit a crazy sort of Eenigenburg normal. To sit and talk and catch up and just be. It was good for all of us and we do miss you all very much.