Forever Friends

This past Sunday our family took a trip to Davenport for a visit with a group of close high school friends. Amazing as it is, we have continued to stay in touch for the past 17 years since high school graduation.......yes I said 17 years! What a great group of individuals and friends, and we always have a wonderful time when we are able to organize our various schedules and get together. Making that even more difficult is the fact that we are now spread all over the country in Seattle, Appleton, Pleasant Hill, West Branch, and Rock Island. Unfortunately we were unable to get everyone all together at one time, but at some point during the weekend everyone was present.

This recent gathering was the first in quite some time when we were able to get whole families together and kids were able to play together as well. We enjoyed a picnic outing to Vander Veer Park on a warm but beautiful day.

Our kids had a blast climbing and playing on the cool evergreen trees.

At the end of the festivities, a couple of our families enjoyed cooling off in the beautiful fountain.

Here is our friend's daughter soaking up the rays while enjoying the water.

Of course, my boys were mostly interesting in splashing, jumping, and climbing.

My daugher, in her soaking state, prior to getting back in the car to head home (without towels). Little did we know that you aren't actually supposed to be wading, swimming, or playing in the fountain. Nor did the other 20+ kids and families. We later found out when the police officer politely asked us to get out, in which we then noticed the large sign stating such rules.

It was a great afternoon and we cherish those times together with friends.

The Sky's the Limit

On the way home from the Quad Cities a few weeks ago we travelled through a severe thunderstorm that produced hail, heavy rain, and some very cool cloud lines in the sky.

Once we arrived home and were putting the kids into bed we looked out of Taylor's window and saw this!

As I went downstairs and out to the deck to get a better look at the rainbow we witnessed the brightest piece of rainbow we had ever seen. The picture below doesn't even do it justice. The kids thought for sure we were close enough to get the pot of gold at the end!