Unfortunately, due to COVID, we missed our first Christmas in the Midwest since we moved here in 2009.
Fortunately, due to COVID, we postponed our trip to the Midwest until Spring Break. This means we hit the opener for spoonbill season in Missouri for the first time in several years and got to share this experience with our kids. This was also the kids' first time experiencing spring in the Midwest, which was perfect because they looooooooove mud!
We flew into Kansas City, acquired our rental car and took off for Traer, Iowa. Kansas City is 1/2 way between my parents' home in Traer and Adam's parents' lake house at Table Rock in Missouri.
When we arrived in Traer, there was still a little snow. Just enough for a snowball fight!
This truck use to be at my great-grandma Vesely's house! My brothers and I played with it when we were little. I wish they still made toys as durable as this beast!
Funny fact- Ashton was actually dumped out of this dumb truck as a young toddler by one of his older cousins! hehe
Horses, we are here for the horses! :)
Creek walks are a tad bit more muddy at this time of year
Horses are also a tad bit more muddy at this time of year. The kids enjoyed brushing them.
We got to spend time at Uncle Brandon and Auntie Deanna's too. Horses, dog, cats, goats, chickens galore!
Baby fishies from the creek! Tradition is to go down in mud boots and catch them with a minnow net but uncle Adam Kucera and cousin Kane have us all hooked on minnow traps now. Don't worry, Josie didn't shake the jar.
Lovin on Bapa
Nana got her lovin too!
Ashton working on his golf swing! HA!
Cousin Sydney and Luke took time out of their busy schedules to come see us!
It's nice to see cousin Annie in person, versus Facetime every week!
Cousin Brookie took some time to come see us too!
Snuggles on the trampoline for Shanin.
Josie couldn't get enough of all the pretties on cousin Shanin's prom dress! GORGEOUS btw!
KAAAAAAAAAAANE!
The one photo I have of them cuddling cousin Breanna. All others are wrestling and rough housing!
The adults had a great time playing games most nights. This one was "Throw The Burrito" This was one of my favorite match-ups; my brother, Brandon and my husband!
Josie cheesin' with her auntie Deanna who buys her allllll the corn corn (unicorn) stuff!
Derby, our best horsey!
Next up, driving 8-9 hours to Table Rock Lake, in Shell Knob, Missouri to see Adam's family!
First things first, throwing rocks in the lake with cousins
Josie checking off the list from GG's scavenger hunt
One of many wrestle sessions with Uncle Adam
Off exploring with cousins
Opening day of spoonbill season! WAHOOOOOO
Baby spoonbill! So cute with it's bill/paddle as big as its body!
Next round of fishermen and women
FISH ON!!!
Ashton and daddy's spoonbill!
We kept some fish for a fish fry and Adam had prearranged a meet-up on our way back through Kansas City with a chef for a soup kitchen who took the rest as donation and made it into fish tacos for his clients!
GG made like 6 cakes, one for each birthday celebration that had either just passed or was coming up. Ashton got dirt desert with extra gummy worms!
Cousins race
Slowing it down for a walk with Papa, GG, and the pups!
Got some special time with Grandma Grandma as well!
Traditional bonfire with the Jacobsens and Grandma Grandma!
2 cousins, kickin back and relaxing in the sunshine!
Josie loves worms, but she was totally okay with sticking one on a hook for a fishy!
Papa's girl
Would be interesting to know just how many lawn mower and 4wheeler rides these two took! Thanks Papa!
Homemade pizza night! Missin the Robertsons, but looking forward to the day when the whole family plays at the lakehouse together!
Stout and Harris kids-- holy moly, they all have their hands up and they are all looking at the camera!....no wait, maybe not. BUT they're all smiling......I think
Adam fried up some fish for the whole crew and a few neighbors who stopped by to try it out. Perfect day for a fish fry and yard games!
Wherever GG is, so is Opie!
We had an incredible time in the Midwest. Great weather, great company, great hosts, great memories! Looking forward to another Spring Break soon.
