THE MIDWEST TOUR '10

We began our tour on June 24th and arrived in Columbus, Indiana on June 25th to celebrate Pete's parents' 40th wedding anniversary. A surprise party was pulled off at the church where they were married and all of their kids and grandkids were there to honor them as well as other family members and friends. It was a fun day and a fun week to all be together. Pete travelled home to Austin on July 4th and Lori and the kids stayed in Indiana another week enjoying time with grandparents. Lori was also able to see some dear friends... the Mathisons, Kristy Conrad, Michele(Nowicki)Prible, and Amy Mathison. Then we travelled up north to Lori's beloved Sycamore, Illinois where she spent time with dear friends who are like family to her. Even though her parents sold 541 Lincolnshire last summer, Sycamore still feels like home because of the people and the familiar places. Lori's parents flew to Chicago to join Lori and the kids on their trip up to Washington Island, Wisconsin with Ron and Mary Floit and their grandson, Miles. We had a great week on the Island relaxing, enjoying the cool weather and lush, green trees and being with dear friends. We made our way back down to Indiana where Pete flew back to meet us, ending our month at a family reunion and then into the van to drive down to Austin on July 25th. We're already looking forward to next summer's midwest tour and scheming how Pete can join us up north. Ahhhhh..... the midwest.... until next summer.... The happy couple celebrating 40 years of marriage together, surrounded by their 4 kids and spouses and 10 grandkids (11th due in a month) and Barb's 93 year old mom.

We made many fun memories together that week. Here are 5 of the grandkids having fun in Uncle Ben and Aunt Jess's backyard.

A trip to Indiana would not be complete without a visit to Nashville, IN and Brown County State park. Here's Grandma and Grandpa Newell surrounded by their sweet grandchildren all dressed alike.

Silas and Lily loved hanging with their cousins. We miss you boys and girls!!!

Time for sparklers!

After all the cousins left, we enjoyed another trip to Brown County with grandma and grandpa to hike, swim and ride the ponies!

Lily enjoying her pony, Doodle.

On our way to Sycamore, we stopped near Wheaton to spend the night with my dear friend Heather (Griffin) Gosling and her family. Lily and Silas immediately hit it off with her two girls, Abby and Kylie.

Lily and Silas also enjoyed playing with Nolan and Mila Baumgartner (children of Debbie (Pagan) Baumgartner who lives at JPUSA) in Sycamore. They were staying with Kyle and Barb White (friends from Sycamore who also visited us in Austin) and we were staying with Cheryl and Dave Lienhard (more friends who also visited us in Austin). We all got together a couple of times for some fun and fellowship. We also got to connect with Lily and Mason Depauw, children of Anna (Reardon) Depauw (who has plans to visit us in Austin in the near future. :)) Lily and Silas LOVED playing with all of these sweet, dear midwest friends. We can't wait to see you all next time!

And finally they were reunited with their good friend Miles Minard. They all loved being together last summer on the Island, and they quickly reconnected and played like best friends.

Here they are playing in the water outside the Floits' home.

Throwing rocks into the lake on Schoolhouse Beach with B.

The grandparents with their grandchildren on the morning we left. We love you all! Thanks for a great week on the Island!

GOODBYE MILES!!! WE'LL MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!