Trip to the Midwest Part 1

Our trip to the Midwest this summer got a little complicated while trying to work around everyone's schedule.  Russ, Lydia, Seth, and I drove out on July 11-12 as I really wanted to attend the Bleeker reunion on the evening of the 13th.  Anna flew out with the church youth group on the 16th to attend the RYS convention which was held at Dordt this year.  While Russ and I spent the week of July 16-20 at RYS with Anna and the youth group, Seth and Lydia enjoyed time with Grandpa and Grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Since Caleb and Nicolas wanted to work another week, Caleb had an Idaho wedding to attend, and Nicolas had lots of appointments (eye, dentist, physical), they didn't fly out until July 20.  They flew right into Minneapolis where my brother Michael picked them up and brought them to Big Sand Lake to join us for the week of July 21-28.  Trying to get everyone packed with what they needed, to be where they needed to be, and make sure we had someone to care for the pets and home while we were all gone was kind of a headache.  When we drove back home on August 1-2, we left Nicolas in Iowa with Grandpa and Grandma as Dordt football was beginning on the 10th. 

Here are a few pictures of the first part of our trip:  Bleeker reunion, fun with cousins, and the RYS convention.

Stopped for lunch on the way to Iowa.  We had a fairly uneventful trip.  The alternator went out in the Honda about 50 miles west of Lincoln, NE.  We weren't sure our battery would make it to Lincoln, and we sweated (literally!) all the way to the Honda dealership.  We arrived in Iowa several hours later than we intended but were thankful we arrived safely.

Getting Grandpa's boat ready for Big Sand!

The theme for the week was "Claim the Promises".  

Found this picture of my boy playing the viola in the foyer of the BJ Haan auditorium.

Instead of a "Day Away", the convention leaders organized a "Day of Stay" with a bunch of fun inflatables.

A highlight for Anna was playing on the Dordt pipe organ for the talent night.

Discussing the day's events at our youth group Son-set meeting.

Killing time at the Bleeker home before eating lunch and catching the plane for Idaho.

Treating the kids to the Pizza Ranch before they head to Omaha to catch their plane.

Of course, you need a group picture under the Idaho flag in the Sioux Center mall!

Coming next:  Part 2--Big Sand Lake!