Look who blew in from Kansas!

Travis's parents, Scott and Cheryl, and his sister, Holly, were officially the first Kansans to visit us at our home in Louisiana. Scott and Cheryl flew in on July 18, and then Holly flew in on the 20th.

I hope Travis's parents and sister enjoyed their visit as much as we enjoyed having them visit. Visiting with Kansas natives (and family, no less) was a breath of fresh air. We got a little break from having to break through the Kansas/Louisiana "language" barrier for eleven days!

They all got to celebrate both Justis's and Jillian's birthdays with us. We had a three-day party for Justis (see previous blog). We celebrated Jillian's birthday one day early so Scott and Cheryl could witness The Eating of the Cake before they had to fly back to Wichita the 25th (see other previous blog). Holly didn't go home until yesterday (Sunday) evening, so she got to see Jillian open her presents on her actual birthday Thursday.

Travis and I were a little unsure how hosting visitors was going to work, considering we haven't done most of the tourist things around here. Everyone gave input to what they thought sounded interesting and we just made a plan, consulted the phone book or MapQuest, and away we went.

We visited several new places during their visit. We all went to Kliebert's Alligator Farm right here in Ponchatoula, we went to the Riverwalk one evening just so we could all enjoy the view of the Mississippi River. Holly went with us to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans after her parents left.

We also showed them what a good time anyone can have at a state park! We picnicked at Tickfaw State Park, went on a swamp walk and played at the water park. Scott was talked (or tricked) into going camping with Travis, Dawson and Justis at Percy Quinn State Park in Mississippi. The funniest observation both Travis and Scott made about that overnight trip was that they actually got cold during the night! "Cold" or "cool" are rarely words that are used to describe the weather here.

We did take time to just relax and do everyday things at home, too. Grandpa Scott played "Tickle Chase" with the kids and Grandma Cheryl read bedtime books, including one of the kids' favorites, Peter Pan. Travis, Scott, Holly and I played the card game Phase 10 one evening, and we all shared a few home-cooked meals.


Thanks for coming Scott, Cheryl and Holly. We had a fantastic time and hope you did, too. The rest of you reading this are welcome to our home as well. We enjoy hosting family and friends. We are all looking forward to a visit from my parents, Tony and Marsha, early this fall!