Day Two of our Get-together

When everyone was up, we ran to Drubers....because that's what we do when the family comes!   And it was on Claire's "buck list" afterall!

Papa had this idea that we should have a balloon launch.  We bought some balloons and the kids wrote their names and my phone # on them, hoping someone finds their balloon and let's us know where they were found.   

Lift off!

They ran to the lake and watched the balloons until they could no longer be seen.

We were going to celebrate Claire's birthday early and we put up balloons decorated with pictures of her every year she since her birth.

Claire had "make cookies with Nana" on her list but instead we made birthday cupcakes.

Another thing on the list was 

"tackle Papa with Eli".

Our kids always enjoy heavy theological discussions with eachother and with Al.

 After rest time, there was a nerf war.  Nerf wars happened each day, sometimes more than once in a day!

Three pretty granddaughters

 Waterslide time!

Jill dug out some photo albums and had a time of reminiscing.

Someone made the remark that Sophia had grown as tall as Staci!

In the evening, we played the "read my lips" or whisper game, Covid style.  Words like:

CDC recommendation
We are in this together
Health care heroes

wash your hands
quarrantine
Fauci is suspect

flatten the curve
don't touch your face
stay inside

And of course, we had to play murder in the dark!

One problem - 

In summertime in Kansas, it doesn't get dark until 9pm and that's after a couple of the kids' bedtimes.  We tried to do the best we could by closing blinds but it is still more fun when it is totally pitch dark!

Day one of our get-together

The Wisconsin bunch came the day before the kids from Arkansas.  We had a tea party.  Check  ✔off Claire's "buck list".

 You just have to put out that pinky finger!

The girls got out the playdough.  

 Claire took Kobi to the stone table.  Another check ✔ off the list!

Kobi chillin' on the sofa in the playhouse under the stairs.

 A rousin' game of checkers

Adam and Jill had planned an overnighter in Wichita, so we watched the girls.

Swimming was on the list.  The public pools aren't open but we blew up the pool we have and set up the slip 'n' slide.  Too bad we don't have an underground pool!

Even Kobi got in the pool!   Not so willingly though.

 Hannah took these pictures of Kobi playing badmitten with Papa and Sophia.  She is a good photographer!

 What do we have here?

 Will he turn into a prince?  Sadly, no.

 Hannah fixed supper for us. (Yes, she washed her hands first)
 She made 2 quiches, because Josh's family arrived in time to eat with us!

It was going to be a good time together!

Let's get-together!

Aren't you just tired of it all?  We sure are. 

Our California kids have wanted to leave their state and get away for awhile.  They've been on lockdown long enough.  We can't wait to see them!  It's been too long!

Jason is working VERY hard, putting in lots of hours, mostly from home.

Although they do get out sometimes, they really have to be careful about avoiding crowds.  Not too shabby!  Give me a beach any day and I'd be happy!

Wisconsin's stay-at-home order was overturned by the state Supreme Court so our Wisconsin kids were ready to come for a visit.  And we were missing them!

The girls are still in school (from home) but would bring school work with them.  Adam has been very busy at church with all that has to be done and was also ready for a break.  Here he is giving his weekly "words of wisdom" for his congregation.  I have enjoyed these devotionals.

Arkansas, where our son's family lives, never had that stay-at-home rule, although many people were doing it anyway.  They did masks and social distancing though.  Especially our daughter-in-law, who is a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Arkansas has some pretty nice places to get-away to.

 Here they are "social distancing" with their community group.  Josh has been super busy with church too, and Staci too, with her part-time job.  This virus has put many people out of a job.  We are grateful that has not been the case for our children.  Except Mindy can't get here licensure for California, as offices are closed to process her nursing license.

Our state of Kansas began to let up on rules about the COVID19 thing at the beginning of May.  There was Phase 1, then Phase 1.5 and then Phase 2.  Our family decided that as long as none of us was running a fever or sick, we would get together!  It turned out the California kids couldn't get off work just yet - boo-hoo, but the other families did come! 

Before coming, Claire, age 7, sent us her "buck list" (bucket list).  What all could get checked off that list?

This past year, we have had a Japanese college student living with us.  She graduated on Sunday afternoon on-line and then moved out of our home on Tuesday.  Although she isn't returning to Japan just yet, she wanted to spend time with her host family who welcomed her to the States 5 years ago.

I spent Wednesday and Thursday getting rooms ready for the family who would be coming.  We have a king bed, a queen, a full and 3/4 bed (an antique that used to belong to Al's great-uncle) and 2 blow ups.  Our home was ready for the noise and chaos that would unsue!