We're Summer People

One of the things that I like most about Travis and I both working in education is having summers off. In fact, after working in education, we may never be able to have jobs that go year round, because we so love our summers. (In fact, a year from now I hope to be beginning work on a doctoral degree to secure my marketability in the education world.) It's not just the warm weather (although through out the cold months, we do frequently ask ourselves why we live in a place that has a cold winter). What we like best, is being able to have both parents home at the same time so much. During the school year, it seems that we end up doing a lot of tag team parenting, so it's nice to be able to have both of us with our children at the same time.

We have been taking full advantage of our time off over the past couple of weeks. The picture of Sophia above is of our trip to Deanna Rose Farmstead. For those of you who have never been to the Farm, it's a great place for the kids. Many farm animals to pet and feed, tractors to climb on, fish to feed and some to catch, a great play ground area, a beautiful flower garden with stone paths for kids to go exploring, and much more. It's a little drive to get there, but it's worth the time and admission is free.

This past Sunday, we went to church in south KC, had lunch at a downtown pizza shop, went to Plaza fountain to play and got some ice cream. It was a lot of fun--the kids especially liked the fountain. I love being out and about as a family.

Our kids are becoming quite the good little swimmers, too. We have been making nearly daily trips to the pool. The pool we go to has a great pool for little kids. Grant is getting very brave about putting his face in the water and loves to try to swim in the big pool. Sophia is also very comfortable in the water. When we get within a half mile of the pool (whether we are actually go there or not) Sophia starts her chant of "Pool! Pool! Swim! Swim!"

The only down side to this summer is that a week ago my brother and his family moved to California. Brandon is in the Army and is now stationed at Monterey. Since before Travis and I got married, we have been spoiled by having them live relatively close. Grant and Sophia are going to miss their cousins, Kyla and Casey. I do have to say that we are thankful that Brandon is stationed in California rather than Iraq. We look forward to visiting them! Brandon and Misty: we love you and miss you much!