a picnic in the flint hills
Thank you once again for your many sweet comments...and to those of you who commented for the first time! I was overwhelmed by your encouragement and loved reading about your own personal journeys. I wish I could respond to each one of you and reciprocate the encouragement you've given me. Really, I do. But for now, a group thank you is the best I can do. So, "thank you" to my sweet blog friends.
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Joel's family used to go to the Flint Hills for picnics all the time when he was growing up.
It seems like a long way to drive just for a picnic...especially when you have a one year old.
I always forget until we get there how beautiful and fun this picnic spot really is.
A place where Levi will make so many memories with his cousins.
Definitely worth the drive.
Levi was especially concerned with eating when we first arrived.
He was posed to pray.
We feasted on fried chicken, baked beans, potato salad, and more.
Joel's family knows how to have a picnic.
Levi was so glad to fill his tummy like usual.
And picnicking with dad made it even better.
Levi got to try out his rubber boots for the first time too.
He wasn't sure what to think.
He looked so funny trying to walk with them on.
These two boys gave me a glimpse into what Levi will be doing on our picnics in a few years.
The rubber boots just didn't cut it for their adventures.
But it didn't matter that their clothes were soaking wet because they were having fun.
There was lots of learning how to skip rocks,
and catching minnows in nets,
and being spoiled by grandparents,
and holding onto toddlers so that they didn't fall into the water as they tossed their rocks,
and sweet cousin moments.
The big cousins all went home with tiny minnows.
And big plans to keep them in fish tanks in their rooms. :)
We were sad when it was time to take off our rubber boots and go home.
We stopped at the "family tree" on the way back.
Joel and his siblings always used to take pictures at this tree.
I wish I had one to show you.
I'll have to have Joel's mom dig one up sometime.
Anyway, we couldn't get all the kids to sit still and not cry at the same time.
It was way past nap time.
And then we were saved by some four wheelers that drove by.
Everyone stopped and looked up and we snapped the cousin picture for 2011.
Can you tell that Levi liked the four wheelers?
This is from last year.
It was a little easier to get a picture by the tree when not so many of them could walk!! :)
And next year there will be two more sweet cousins joining the group.
Such fun memories.
19 Comments:
"Dirt makes me cuter"...I love it! :)
What a fun family outing!!!
I grew up in the Flint Hills but live in Denver now. It's one of the best places ever! My grandparents actually own a farm in Chase County. So lucky you got to go!
Levi's face in the group picture when he saw the 4-wheelers is so cute! Boys are so much fun. What a great outing, your kids will have so many fond memories of this! I really enjoy your blog, Jess!
Looks like a GREAT picnic! So fun to see you today! You look adorable!!!
How fun! Our 2 year old wears her rubber boots everywhere! She has even worn them to church before. They are a great compliment to any dress!!;0)
Love Levi's sweatshirt..too cute!
What sweet pics of levi and the family. I love the groups tree pics, they are so special and adorable.
Hi Jess,
Beautiful pictures! Beautiful family! I am the auntie extraordinaire in my family. One of my little patients once called me Mippi instead of my given name, Mindi. He was from Tupalo, MS. Any who, the name stuck and I am Autie Mip...sometimes rather snarkily referred to as the Mipparazzi because I take TONS of pictures. Your families, your and Joel's, remind me a lot of mine. We have a family beach cottage that my grandparents bought when my mama was 3. We have pictures of her and her sister, me and my sibs, and my 8 nieces and nephews in the exact same place on the beach every year since 1939...generation after generation. They are treasures.
I want to wish you Happy Mother's Day. You are a lovely young woman and mother. You are prayed for.
Precious photos!!!
I think Levi needs a four wheeler! lol
What a neat idea to have a family tree posing place for photos! How great that there will be two more little ones in next year pics!
Happy Mother's Day!!
So sweet! lovely tradition!!
They have all grown up so much! :)
That is my favorite John Deere shirt. That picnic looks like tons of fun. You got great shots to capture the feeling of the day. Gotta love four wheelers. :) They all look so cute standing there at the tree. That is such a great idea. There is something special about farm families and the traditions that they can make. So many times families move around while farmers stay put!
Beautiful, Jess! What fun & wonderful fun memories. Nothing better than cousins adventures! Love the look on Levi's face when they heard the 4-wheelers. Precious!
Can you tell me how to get to this spot? I live in Manhattan and have only been out to Konza once...lame! Is it in the Konza or somewhere different? Thanks!!
eekasapp at gmail.com
That 4 wheeler picture is adorable!
I am sure that Joel has told you about the time 2 blue heelers charged at them and sniffed at them? Joel and Mr. Mac tried to shield the girls and finally those dogs left. Scary! We also LOVE the flint hills and love going!!
WOW! Heath and Levi have changed SOOO much in a year!! Love the comparison pictures... It's so fun to see everyone's kiddos and all the cousins together.
What a beautiful day! I LOVE the flint hills. We don't get through that part of Kansas much any more, so thank you for the reminder of just how beautiful it is.
We drove two hours this past weekend for a picnic with a one year old also. I'll have to admit that Friday night I was really doubting the wisdom of this but we had the *best* time and I am so glad we did it! I'm sure we'll be going back sometime. I love the tradition of the family tree! Really special!! Kelly
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