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But not this summer. First there was the 2020 trip to France that never was, replaced a year later by the 2021 trip to Canada that never was, followed by the actual trip to Chicago where we immediately learned of a ban on Arkansas (and its mostly unvaccinated people) from its windy city, which meant canceling Huck’s campus visit to the University of Chicago. We’re starting to take this pandemic personally.
Like so many of you, our summer has seen a lot of car travel to visit family and friends like we used to do. Instead of Paris, Montreal and Quebec City, we chose Iowa, Wisconsin and Chicago for ten days of fun. Before that we celebrated our twin niece’s and nephew’s 11th birthdays and my dad’s 80th birthday in Kansas, even bringing my mom back home for a very sweet overnight visit. While here in Fayetteville, Huck continues practicing driving alone ever so cautiously while Troy continues planting more flowers (sometimes in our neighbors’ yards). I’m spending my summer break reading disturbing books (In the Distance! Klara and the Sun!), listening to disturbing podcasts (Tulsa Burning! 1619! Dr. Death!), watching disturbing TV (Happy Valley! WandaVision! Handmaid’s Tale!), seeing disturbing theatre (Matilda! Twice!) and sleeping in every single day. It’s probably good that summer isn’t forever.
You know what is forever? The time it could take you to look at our summer photos …
Entertaining my mama with ukulele & knitting
Happy 11th birthday to these twin delights
Huck the knitting granny next to his actual granny
Beating Tina at Scrabble
Helping these 2 spend their birthday gift cards from their other aunt & uncle
Father’s Day Starbucks
Dad’s 80th birthday party with the Original 5
Glamorous grandchildren & great-grandchildren minus Lily (in Italy) & Hayden
Best Friends
Our dad’s croquet warm-up ritual
Huck’s #1 Sport
Bittersweet
Annual Lindsborg visit
Back home for the Pride Parade …
Huck ‘n Proud Pals
and a Shana Seabreeze …
and a return to the movies …
and Sunny’s 9th birthday …
and a 4th of July dip in the Mount Sequoyah Pool!
Who needs Canada when you can have this?!
Lawful Brothers: Iowa Edition
Mississippi River
Visit #1 to Here’s the Scoop
Mailing Mom a letter from Davenport
Pontoon Livin’
We tried to steal baby Lydia but her parents said NO!
There’s nothing like capturing yourself looking like you might kill someone on the Walmart security camera …
A Wisconsin Weekend!
They had to lie perfectly still in order to survive this hammock
Don’t let this pretty picture taken outside House of the Rock fool you … inside is VERY DIFFERENT
These pictures capture the feeling much better
Mailing Mom a letter from Wisconsin
Day trip to McGregor, Iowa with beautiful Wisconsin behind us
Another of Huck’s sports
Looking for a pig
Goodbye to Wisconsin
And hello to Chicago! Off to the Botanic Garden with fellow gardeners Alice & Charlie
… while Huck helps Dan test drive a Tesla
Give us beautiful nature …
and give Huck tea and a trip to the Apple Store
Baha’i House of Worship
Rooftop Pool Party
Lake Michigan (or the ocean)
We lived in Chicago as newlyweds 100 years ago
Dan & Michele’s Tea Party for Huck, confirming he was born to the wrong parents
Happy Traveler
Back to Davenport for our final visit to Here’s the Scoop
Lucky enough to get to see Noah for our Vacation Finale
Nothing captures our vacation better than this picture …
(We’re coming for you one day, France.)
So many pictures! Are you sure these are all from THIS summer?!?
I want you to know that I looked at every picture and read every caption and loved every minute of it. I giggled that uploading pictures to this blog is difficult because you took so many wonderful pictures that had to be included. Captioning photos is not a lost art on you – like the fact that we were looking for a pig and the awful walmart photo – top notch! Also I want all of the people in the Bill Hottman party pics who were wearing party hats to know that I SEE YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOU.
Finally, can I say that a little shout out to our attempt to make Davenport, Iowa, seem like France would be a nice addition. I mean sure…you didn’t even realize we were trying to dress like French people. Oh what I would do for a picture of me and Nathan in all black waiting for you on our porch…or better yet a video of our dueling skits. And how about the LaCroix? That is speaking French, right?
In summary, bravo sister. I wish you trips to France and Canada very soon but in the meantime I’m sure glad I got to see you three TWICE this summer (and Sun Bun once).
XOXO,
Sissy Poopsie
Oh my goodness, I feel so fulfilled and fully-vacationed just looking at PHOTOS of all of your adventures!!! For a COVID summer, you guys sure know how to make some amazing memories!!! Salina and Davenport and Chicago and Wisconsin will never be the same!! Watch out, France!!!