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The road home always tends to be longer, as the miles stretch into the horizon, but we had one more stop that helped make the trip easier.

Home.

The familiar gravel roads where I learned to drive.  Grandpa took Kiahra out for a drive on those same roads, but she got to drive his new truck.  Enough said.

That familiar country makes my heart sing.

The sun set gloriously across the lake.

The only place that has stayed the same in my kids' world--never living in a place more than 4 years.

The hours slipped away quickly, but we enjoyed every minute to the fullest (well, except for all the laundry).

Cousins + Farm = nonstop adventure

...creating memories that will last a lifetime.





A little tractor time that elicits the reality that mom raked hay as a kid!




And the bittersweet moment when we pull out of the driveway back to California.

Our oldest daughter quietly acknowledging that as she prepares for the next steps of her journey she may not be back soon.

Looking back is not where I want to live, but sometimes looking ahead is hard, so it is a reminder to enjoy the present.  It is the one lesson my kids have learned in their journey--to sieze the moment.  They don't take moments shared with family and friends for granted.

We made it!

Several hours after we left Memphis, we arrived in Indiana, but not without a wrong turn.  I thought the GPS was wrong somewhere in Kentucky, but I got a good look at the road...twice and lost a few miles in the meantime only to discover I was wrong!

The kids were giddy about this destination.  They excitedly anticipated meeting their new cousin and the rapidly growing bug that visited us last year!

The newest addition charmed his cousins quickly, and he didn't argue about all the lovin' and totin' he got!

In the warm Indiana evening, we roasted marshmallows with little k.  We discovered she has an affinity for the chocolate bar in the smore :)  As the light waned into night, the fireflies emerged for catching and then a game of hide and seek ensued.  I think she liked her first "taste" of camping.

Jaxon chilled by the campfire with Kade.  He loved being outside!

Most of the kids...and all looking at the camera!!

It was hard to capture this bug, as she moves quickly these days!

Generally she is a blur--like in this photo, but this moment was charming to watch with the smiles and squeals of delight!

Kade wanted one more photo with his buddy--love those smiles!

Uncle Kevin also took the gang to the lake.  The day was perfect as the water sparkled in the warm sunshine.  The boat entertained the older kids (yes, even the big boys too), as they embraced the tubing challenges!  On shore the water was warm and shallow--perfect for little girls!  It was a great day!

Then...it was time to go again...this time back towards home.

A quietness settled over the Suburban for a couple hours, as good-byes settled heavily on our hearts.

Little did we know that a few days later a a pretty home on a wooded corner lot with a small lake in the backyard would catch our eye via the internet!