Visiting Kansas

We were the only ones at the pool. 

The weather was a bit cooler so we played at the park!

This pumpkin plant is growing in our compost pile. I tossed a pumpkin in here last fall and was pleasantly surprised when Aaron told me that this plant was growing!!

More park time - we explored a new park and we all loved it!

My parents were in McPherson (only 3 hours away from us!) so we hopped in the car and drove to meet them. We had the best little get away, but we're sad Aaron wasn't able to join us. 

Braum's Ice Cream is delicious. 

We drove by our old home! So many great memories here. I thought my mom would be sad seeing our home, but she just said that she was so grateful so doesn't have to take care of this big lawn anymore haha. 

We went to check out the new John Deere store!!!

The kids got a thrill out of seeing all these tractors! 

We even checked out a new park!

We stayed with the Kynaston's and loved swimming at their pool. Austin and Eli even jumped off the diving board and did awesome!

Here we are playing ring around the rosie together. 

Papa got a new truck! We told my parents goodbye in Salina and then watched them drive back to Denver. A part of me wishes they still lived in McPherson, only 3 hours away from us, but I know they left at the right time for them and they're supposed to be in Colorado right now. 

Austin finished preschool! We love the Preschool Box and he did so great learning at home. He's beyond ready for kindergarten. 

He loves to read and look at books, play with Legos and is very helpful. We've had some great moments together this past year. He was happy when Eli's school was moved to remote learning last spring because the two of them got more time together to play. 

Oh and Eleanor wanted to share this picture that she colored. Coloring is her favorite thing to do. 

We made some chocolate zucchini bread and Eli helped me shred the zucchini. It was huge!

Saturday we cleaned and did house projects all day and then decided to make a trip to the lake. Aaron hasn't been with us yet so we were excited to show him the lake. 

In other news - I helped put together the Thomas family newsletter. It was a lot of time, but I enjoy it and hope it helps keep us connected as my grandma Thomas wished. My uncle Johnny created a newsletter for years and years and I offered to him if he ever needed it. A few years ago, he called and asked if I'd take it over. Little did I know, he'd pass away earlier this year. In part of the newsletter, we started a section for memories, where we highlight 2 people. We started with Papa and Grandma Thomas and now we've moved on to the siblings. This time is Uncle Lee and Uncle Johnny. I'm grateful for my extended family and the love we share. 

My dad bought my kids these John Deere shirts and they couldn't wait to wear them out to Grandma and Grandpa Volk's property. 

We headed out to visit Grandma and Grandpa Volk on Sunday afternoon. We had dinner together and enjoyed visiting with them. 

We were so lucky to see BOTH sets of grandparents in the same week! Yay!