Fun in the Sun in the Ozarks!

We had a week back home after the golf tournament to get ready for a long trip/vacation down to Missouri for Dave's family reunion.  I was actually looking forward to the road trip more than I have in awhile. A year and a half? 17 months? How old is Collin?  :) I think I was very much in need of a getaway and the weather looked good, we were going to have a nice extended visit with Dave's family - awesome! 

We broke the trip up going down (it has taken as long as 11.5 hours and as short at 9ish to make the trip from Wisconsin) Dave had a board meeting and commitments on Saturday so we decided to get to Cedar Rapids Saturday night and have a normal bedtime and then get up early on Sunday and head the rest of the way down. I think it was a good plan and we enjoyed spending a little time in Iowa (getting ice cream:), the kids loved the hotel room and we made Sunday a bit better by having some energy and not needing to recuperate from the trip. 

The kids did great on the ride, when Collin did get fussy, he was just bored and wanted Dave or I to sit back by him and play and it wasn't that often. We got to Lake Ozark right before 2 p.m. and had enough time to head out on the boat and really enjoy the warm weather! Laurie had already arrived and we had the whole family together again:) So fun and relaxing. 

Monday brought more boating and swimming, as well as pedicures for the girls - Kate's first one! She was a little hesitant at first and she wanted me right by her side. So, I waited so I could have the chair next to her special youth/Bear chair. While we waited and watched, she slowly got more and more excited. Surprisingly, she picked a blue for her toes. Lately, blue is also her favorite color. Because of Elsa.  :) She did great with the pedicure and the gal added some unexpected sparkles and art. I have heard much about it lately and she wants to get a pedicure "every day."  :) 

As it got closer to the weekend, there was more to do for the reunion (mostly Bobbi!) but we managed to find time to do a little shopping, Dave and I had a lunch date, Dave golfed and we had a gathering with the friends in the neighborhood at Rich & Robin's (dear friends) pool. 

Kate playing in the lake with Aunt Laurie

After watching a few of us go, Kate was ready for the Wave Runner! She loved it:)

Having fun at Rich & Robin's! 

Lots of quality time with Aunt Lou! Yay!

A pretty fun set up! 

On Wednesday, Laurie had to return to New York and Aunt Becky arrived from California. So sad to see Laurie go, but grateful that we got to spend time with her! It was also wonderful to share time with Aunt Becky again so soon! Relatives (the Claussen family) started arriving Thursday night, and we had a fun boat ride out to dinner with Becky and cousin Craig. 

From Friday through Sunday, Ron and Bobbi's house (our home away from home) was the gathering place for up to 40 family members to hang out - eat, drink and visit. The kids did well and went to quite a few of them! I will say that Bobbi, Becky, Dave and I spent countless hours tagging after Collin and going up and down the stairs with him. Thank goodness it is right where the action is and you can still talk with people. Kind of:)

Where we spent a lot of time:)

This drool-monster loves steps!

Highlights for Collin....anything that had a steering wheel or motor:) We knew he liked trucks and tractors and such, but he was completely obsessed with the boat and golf cart. He would throw a fit if he saw them and couldn't ride. He had to "drive" them and was only happy if he was helping someone drive. It was pretty cute, but we did have to take it into account when maneuvering around during the week! 

His preferred position

Collin is flirting with changing his nap schedule. Traveling always messes with it a bit, but he has been cutting a nap many days, which is.....okaaay....:) But I would much rather keep him napping well and often! The first couple days, he would take his morning nap and then we could get him to sleep on a boat ride in the afternoon. Not bad for all involved! Thanks Grandma Bobbi for holding the sleeping boy in his life jacket:) 

Best place for a nap - the boat!

Kate did really well swimming in the lake off the boat. She also used her life jacket a lot in the pool, which I had hoped would change a bit after some swim lessons, but she just loves getting around the whole pool in that jacket. She also met some friends, girls older than her, at the pool. So sweet to see them play so well together. They lived across the street and a few nights they would be shouting back and forth or visiting. Pretty cute. 

All dressed up for dinner. Kate had to have the hat:)

There was a more formal meal at Osage National Golf Course (where Dave golfed with his dad and some friends earlier in the week) on Saturday night, which was a beautiful spot and we had some wonderful photos taken, yeah!

The Heilmman crew at dinner -missed you Laurie!

It was a wonderful, summery week and I am already looking forward to another summer vacation down there next year:) I have a few more to add, but here are more photos from the week - click here.