Trip to MO - Week 1 in Springfield

Ok, I have so much to blog about and I have no idea how I'm going to fit it all on here!  We have been so busy this last month.  I'm just going to have to edit down a bunch and let the pictures speak for themselves:)

Right after the 4th of July weekend, Mitchell, Duncan, and I (Chris had to stay behind and work; bummer) headed off to Missouri for a fun visit with family for three weeks.  We had such a great time!  For a lot of our family, it was their first time meeting Duncan, so this trip was really a special time for us.  And Mitchell really liked all the extra attention he got from his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins:)  Our first week in Missouri was spent with our family in Springfield.  Papaw was kind enough to host us (Haha, which I'm sure was challenging at times because it's been a while since he has had a toddler running around his house, getting into everything, Lol).  But we also did plenty of hanging out at Meemaw's, Opa and Oma's, and of course we went out to some of our favorite eating spots:)  We loved seeing everyone and miss you all already!

Enjoying his drink on the airplane to MO.  This was his first airplane ride when he was old enough to be excited by it.  It was so cute:)

Papaw wasted no time in getting his hands on his newest grandson:)

Mitchell quickly found his favorite spot in the house, right next to Papaw.

Aunt Clarissa stopped by for a visit, and was kind enough to bring us dinner (Springfield Chinese! Yum!).  We had a great visit, talking about her travels, and we may even have a meet-up in Tokyo next year (if we end up going).

Duncan loved meeting his Great Grandma Swisher.

Mitchell loved Great Grandma's fish tank.  He liked "Finding Nemo."

Mitchell was a very great helper in Papaw's garden.

Poor Papaw, a lot of his garden had fallen victim to Missouri's extreme heat; but Mitchell did manage to find some good tomatoes and squash.

Papaw's house has the best "toys."  Mitchell drew Papaw a masterpiece in this box.  Lol!

Stretching out at Papaw's!

We had a fun family get together at Meemaw's, and Duncan really bonded with Adam.

Yay!  Mitchell and Duncan got to meet their cousin Kate.  Sorry for the fuzziness, it is hard to get babies and toddlers to sit still.  In fact, the couple pictures I got of Duncan and Kate were way too fuzzy to see, bummer:(
(If any family has some good pictures of the kids, please send them my way)

Oma sitting with all of her great grandchildren: Mitchell, Tyler, Duncan, Kailey, and Kate.  Mitchell was in a particularly "fun" mood and was refusing to look at the camera (it was way past his nap time).  It was so fun to have all the kids together.

Mitchell LOVES Meemaw's cats.  Unfortunately, his sinuses don't love them; the poor kid is allergic to cats.  Luckily, for the most part, Meemaw's cats hid away while we were visiting:)

We did get a chance to go to the "spa" (aka Opa and Oma's house).

Mitchell loved exploring Opa's yard with Meemaw.  He was hard to keep up with:)

Checking out Opa's new tractor.

Picking flowers for Oma.

Presenting Oma with her handpicked bouquet.

Oma thought it was hilarious when Mitchell tried to join her in getting a pedicure from Meemaw:)

Fun times with Opa.

Oma fed Duncan his first taste of carrots.

He wasn't that impressed.  Lol!

One of my favorite moments.

More relaxing at the "spa."

We loved our visit with our Springfield family!

Landing in Missouri.  "Papaw's house!"

Papaw has the most fun "rides" at his house.  Lol!

So excited for his new toothbrush.  Haha, and I love the way he says "orange."

He was a great help to Papaw in his garden.  Although his favorite thing was arranging the hoses:)

Duncan's first time eating carrots.  He wasn't a fan.