More cousins, St Louis, Ozarks and the Zoo

Some more days with Nate and Lila


We had some time for another trip to the cabin in the Ozarks, for a canoe trip with Lila and Nate (not pictured)


Here is Bluet eating honey nut cheerios, just like every other day of the trip



Bluet also invented a rope jumping game



After the farms, we went up to St Louis to go to the Zoo and the baseball

(Ilona and Bluet went up with Abatha, Scott, Nate and Lila a day early so we could pack up in peace. Here are the pictures we were sent to assure us they were ok)




  

Hello again

We are back from America (since last Thursday). In fact, it was one of our easiest overnight flights - the kids slept and/or watched TV without much fuss, and then because they were so tired, quickly adapted to the European time zone. So that was nice.

So lets see what the photos remind me of. First, we spent a lot of time at the cabin on the cow farm. We took 3 day canoe trips (there was too much risk of flash floods to stay overnight), and these were very fun - the kids loved jumping of rocks, swimming in the water and even learning to paddle a small canoe. Also, Bluet really got into fishing and caught a number of different fish with her kids fishing rob (as she calls it). However, I have no photos of these water based activities as I didn't want to drop my phone in the rivers. Here are some other things we did
One game the kids invented while they were away was to run round and around the Ozark cabin as fast as they could





Here is a photo Bluet insisted I take



Back on the other farm, more playing in the paddling pool, here with Thane doing his best American Ninja Warrior impression



Not pictured: Ilona falling down these stairs twice





Then the other cousins, Lila and Nate, came to visit



OK, more tomorrow

America

We have been back in the U.S.A. for a week. We have split our time between the farm in Charleston and the cow farm out in the Ozarks. In Charleston, Bluet and Ilona have been spending a lot of time with their cousins Ruel and Thane. We also spent a fun day canoeing down the river. Bluet and Ilona thoroughly enjoyed swimming in the water in their life jackets. However, most of the pictures I have so far are from Charleston. Not pictured: heat and humidity. Here you go.


 

At a neighbours swimming pool



On the playground Wayne built in the garden



Spot the pumpkin



Ilona and Ruel





At Thane and Ruel's house


At the cabin, Bluet tries on one of those antlers that 'make boy deers beautiful'

Ozark Photos

Old news - almost 2 weeks ago we went to the cabin in the Ozarks for three nights. Bluet enjoyed playing in the stream (where she caught lots of tadpoles with a net, and jumped as if streams were muddy puddles) and meeting the cows. Meanwhile Ilona slept, although she has developed a fondness for looking at the dogs.

Meanwhile back on the farm Ilona bounced with Dingo the dog, while Bluet delighted in making footprints anywhere

White Christmas in the Ozarks

Technically we had a white Christmas as snowflakes fell on Christmas Day, although there was not a thick covering of snow until Boxing day, when Bluet was able to go outside and enjoy it. NB these are the Boxing day photos. Christmas Day photos to come later

Bluet and Lila look at the snow outside.

Dadn looks at Bluet and Lila looking at the snow outside