Cami and the Kiddos Take a Break

A couple days after Independence Day, or July 4th for the non-history buff, Cami decided she needed a break from the norm, so she packed the kids in the car and came to Mississippi to visit Grandma and Grandpa!
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Friday July 7, 2017
After a good nights sleep and a delicious breakfast, Cami and I took the kids to the pool to enjoy a swim. We were there only people there for a while and it was so much fun! Even little Izzy enjoyed the water.

Lily and Izzy.

Cami had fun playing water games with the kids, although Doc wasn't too sure if he liked the water or not.

The afternoon was full of games and fun. Cami, Lily and I went shopping. In the evening the kids played together  -

...while Grandpa fixed his famous Sweet and Sour Chicken and Fried Rice. Cami brought squash, zuchinni and okra from her garden and prepared some delicious fried okra for us!

Just can't get enough of this precious little baby doll!

And oh... how she loves her Mama!

She was always a happy little girl and

 is such a good baby. I don't think I hardly heard her cry the whole time they were here.

Lily and I conspired before they came to visit on what kind of food and treats she would like to help me make for the family. She is in the food science program in 4-H and I think she made some great choices. For movie night on Friday we made Smores Popcorn! Yum!

Saturday July 8, 2017
For breakfast Lily and I made these delicious Cinnamon French Toast Bites. Everyone loved them.

And I was surprised how easy they were to make!

Grandpa volunteered to take care of sweet Izzy while we were busy fixing breakfast.

We had to take a few more pictures once everyone was ready to go.

Lily needed a picture too,

And so did sweet Marshall Doc.

As soon as breakfast was over we headed out for a very busy day.
1st stop - The Buffalo Park and Zoo.

The kids had fun feeding the Camel and goats.

Lily, Ransom and Gage weren't shy about feeding this camel.

It was very hot, but the kids were so good the whole time. Gage and Marshall keep me company.

Exploring one of the old buildings at the zoo.

We piled on the tractor trolley and headed out to see the buffalo, water buffalo, zebras, Watusi Cattle and Longhorn cattle.

It was so hot, but little Izzy never cried.

Some of the buffalo that the kids helped to feed.

And we can't forget the shaggy Highland Cattle.

After the Zoo we spent an hour at the huge Tupelo Flea Market then went home to cool off and let the kids go swimming. Dad and I volunteered to watch Marshall Doc and Izzy as they were asleep. Cami and the kids went to the pool for over an hour and when they came back we were all 4 asleep. I told Cami I was watching the babies in my dreams.
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In the late afternoon while Grandpa Darryl took the 4 big kids to the splash park, Cami and I went to visit Elvis' birthplace. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but suffice it to say that it was tiny and Elvis Presley came from very humble beginnings.

The "Shotgun" house where Elvis was born. It's just 2 rooms. The front room was bedroom/living/sitting room and the backroom was the kitchen.

Cami and a statue of 13 yr. old Elvis.

We finished the evening off with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese for Pizza and games and even a little dancing!

It was a very busy and fun filled day! The kids even got in a night swim before bed.
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Sunday July 9, 2017
After church Lily and I prepared a special treat for the family to eat before going to dinner in Smithville.

We made Jello Aquariums with blue Jello, Nerds Candy and Swedish Fish.

It was fun to make and Ransom, Gage and Lily really liked them.

After our treat we piled in the car and drove 45 minutes to Smithville to visit our friends who we knew from our ward in Weatherford, Texas, Gene and Arcola.

Their daughter Michelle came over with her daughters and we had such a nice visit.

Arcola wanted a picture with Cami and her children before she left. The last time they saw Cami she was in 6th or 7th grade.

That evening we had one more snack to prepare for the family...

Peanut butter and celery critters.

These were so good we couldn't make them fast enough!
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This was lily's Monster Critter!

Monday morning came too soon and I was sad to see the kids leave.

We had such a wonderful time and I can't wait until we can be together again!