while daddy was gone

While Dave was in Africa, the kids and I took a trip to Missouri to see my parents.  I probably told you that already, but since that post seemed to be over a month ago, I figured I'd repeat it.

As hard and tiring as it was to pack us all up and drive 5 hours all by myself, it was really great for the kids, and made the days without Daddy go by faster.  And it was a great chance to spend more time with my parents.

There was an abundance of luggage.  Between my jewelry show stuff that I took to be able to do a show for my mom and her friends, and all the baby stuff I needed, there was barely room for 3 kids in the car.

It was Memorial Day, so we stopped half way in Independence at the park that we love, and to put flowers at my grandpa's grave.

Still the same carousel I rode with my grandpa when I was little.

And it still cost 10 cents.

And Gavin got to meet his great grandma for the first time.

And of course, it's not a trip to see Mema and Papa, without Silver Dollar City.

Thanks to a happy and easy-going baby, and wonderful mother's stations at the park,

we lasted ALL day long.

We almost made it all the way home without stopping ONE time.

Until Taylor decided to get carsick for the first time ever.

SOOOO, not a good thing, when her daddy is the one that does throw up....not mommy.

That moment was not a finer one of my mommy moments.
There was a point that everyone was crying but the baby.
But we made it home, and my wonderful father-in-law, who Dave inherited the ability to deal with throw up from, met us at home and cleaned out the entire car, throw up and all.

I snapped this picture within the hour of being home.

I'm pretty sure they were glad to be home.

And 2 days later it was finally time for Daddy to come home!
Day 12 - we made it!

I know to some, 12 days doesn't seem like anything.  But oh my, 12 days was a long time to be Mommy to 3 kiddos all by myself. We all missed him so much.  I'm pretty sure I missed him the most though.

He brought back lots of Ethiopian treasures.

I can't believe this all happened a month ago already.

Since then, our summer has been in full swing!

Surely I'll get caught up soon.