Yankee Doodle Annie

Happy Wednesday, errbody! I hope this post finds you all happy and well rested after the long, holiday weekend. We returned home Monday evening from a 5-day trip to Kansas to visit family and friends -- it was a pretty perfect weekend and we couldn't have asked for better company on the 4th!

We hit the road for Brandon's mom's shortly after Brandon got off work on Wednesday evening, which made for a long trip and late night, but worth it because Jax slept most of the way (and we didn't have to worry about traveling at all on Thursday). The first two days of our vacation were spent relaxing, checking out the Miracle farm, playing Yahtzee, thrifting, shopping, and lots of eating. 

Breakfast with Nana!

I wish I would have filmed him squealing whenever he saw the kitty -- too cute!

Jackson loved checking out all of the different birds at Nana and Russell's farm! 

My little city boy enjoying the country life!

On Saturday, Mamma Nancy & Russell hosted a 4th of July BBQ, so we got to spend time with Brandon's sister and her kids, as well as Russell's family (whom we'd never met before). Jackson had a great time playing with all the big kids but wasn't sure what to think of the loud fireworks.. Since daddy was the one lighting them, Jax and I watched from inside the sun room. Shockingly, I was able to get Jax down while people were still at the house, but he woke up shortly after and wanted to play with his cousins -- it was a late night but everyone had a fun time visiting/playing. 

Good old Uncle Brandon/Daddy, filling up water balloons for the kids. 

 

Jackson wasn't cooperating for pictures..

The Sandmeier/Miracle Clan

On Sunday, we all slept in, ate delicious fried chicken, and gave Benny (our nephew) his birthday gifts before we hit the road to visit friends in Hays. It was so hard to leave everyone since we only get to see them a few times a year -- it's amazing how quickly vacations seem to fly! Jax slept the entire 2 hour trip to Hays and once we arrived, we got checked into our hotel, met friends for dinner, and then all turned in early. We. Were. Exhausted.

Photo by Jax :)

Nana and her grandsons 

Soooo happy to be out of the car! 

Dinner with girlfriends -- just what I needed! 

Monday quickly arrived and it was time to get packed up to head home.. but not before visiting both Brandon's and my old offices to say hi and grab some lunch at Al's Chickenette (which, apparently, was a great decision because Monday was National Fried Chicken Day!). After making several short stops, we were home and all relieved to FINALLY be out of the car! 

As much as I love traveling and visiting family and friends, I have to admit that it's always nice to return home to your own bed and regular routine. Jax's eye-teeth are trying to make their grand entrance, so we spent most of yesterday cuddling and working around the house.. hopefully my little guy feels better soon!!

Thanks for the memories, Kansas! Until next time..