Family visit in Missouri

We had a chance to visit family near Springfield, Missouri in April. It was a lovely visit. Ryan's family from Texas drove up, so Patrick got to meet his Aunt Cassie, Uncle John and Loren, and cousins Boston and Rendon. He also got to meet a lot of second cousins and both his great grandmas. He loves people and had a blast!

Patrick meets his Great-Grandma Ross.Left to right: Ryan and Patrick, Grandma Lloyd, Loren, Rendon and John

Patrick and Grandma.

Cousins: Patrick, Boston and Rendon

Ryan's Grandmother Lloyd, his mother, and her three grandsons.

Grandma Ross and her three grandsons.

Gigi (Great-Grandma Ross) and her five great-grandsons (soon to be 6!!)

This is at Ryan's cousin Julie's beautiful house and land. We had a great time eating and catching up in their beautiful yard.

Ryan showing Patrick how to grill.

Kody with Rendon and Boston.

Ryan and I with Boston and Rendon.

From Washington to Michigan

Finally I have my computer and cords together and can update our blog! It has been quite a spring/summer so far. We drove from Washington to Michigan (with a stop in Missouri) and then had a month long wait for a house. But, we are in a house and getting settled quickly. I will update this with a number of posts, but I am starting off with the highlights of our trip. Missouri will get its own post shortly.



This is Patrick, all ready to leave our beautiful place in Port Angeles.

This is how we traveled. Thank goodness for the Subaru's hatchback/picnic table/diaper changing station/anything else you needed it to be.

This is how Kody traveled, in the Suburban, his ears blowing in the wind.

Our first big tourist stop was Mount Rushmore. It is in the Black Hills, a very beautiful area in South Dakota.

This is what I stared at for days. Ryan decided to haul his motorcycle to save money.

My favorite stop was Badlands National Park, also in South Dakota.

We were there too early for rattlesnakes, thank goodness.

Kody is always a conversation starter, the photographer here used to have a Great Pyrenees as well.

If you travel anywhere near the badlands, go and visit. We hope to go back and camp when we get a chance.

Patrick has seen a lot of places from this backpack. The warm fuzzy fleece is from Grandma and Grandpa, and will prove valuable this winter in freezing Michigan!

Ryan has to wear his dress uniform when checking in to his new unit. Patrick was impressed.

It was a fun trip, but we are all happy to finally be settled in Michigan. More pictures to come!