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the year of the snake (flint hills 2015)

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Every spring we take a day trip to the Flint Hills with Joel’s family. It is a day we all look forward to.

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We always eat lunch first but it never fails that the kids go straight from the car to the creek. They can hardly wait.

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We round them all up again…and lunch is served. Joel and I looked at Levi and Griffin and laughed because we could imagine them as two old men sitting in their camping chairs. I hope they still invite us to come along even when they are old!

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The kids look forward to the swimming and fishing. I look forward to my mother-in-law’s fried chicken. It is well worth the trip for the fried chicken alone.

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It seems like we have about five minutes (if that!) to eat and then the kids are running back into the water…and the dads are chasing after them.

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Joel’s dad brought Jake over to where everyone was swimming. He tried to let him stand in the water but he kept folding his legs because he wanted to be IN the water. Dipping his toes in the water just wasn’t cutting it for him.

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So into the water he went. I think he thought it was the best day of his life.

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He would have sat there all day watching the kids play. I tried to put his pacifier in his mouth because he kept eating rocks. It didn’t work because every time I looked the other way he pulled his pacifier out and put a rock in his mouth again. Sneaky Baby Tiny.

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Besides the rock eating, I think splashing in the water was his favorite. 🙂

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Everyone was impressed by Uncle Ben’s rock skipping abilities. IMG_4966new

There was lots of swimming and laughing and fun until…

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…a snake was spotted in the water.

Yes. A snake.

If you ever encounter a poisonous snake you would want my brother-in-law, Bill, around. He found the snake, shot it, and scooped it out of the water to make sure it was dead. Don’t worry. Everyone was very safe…except the snake, obviously.

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When the snake was pronounced dead everyone had to gather around to check it out. It was a copperhead snake. Isn’t that crazy? And scarey? We were so thankful we saw it before any of the kids did. Or before it saw the kids. So thankful. Each year something memorable happens at the Flint Hills. This year will always be remembered as the year of the snake.

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Everyone was a little nervous to be swimming in the snake water so we all moved to the very shallow water for the rest of the day.

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The kids spent the rest of the time catching minnows and tiny frogs.

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Baby Tiny did a little more splashing. IMG_5031new

And then we said goodbye to the Flint Hills until next year.

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Such a fun day!

I had to go back and look at the posts from years past. So cute. They grow too fast!

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  • Mary Ann - I love your posts about Flint Hills. Yes, the kids grow and grow and there’s more of them each year. The photos are missing your beautiful girl but she’s there in the wind and sky, the beauty of the earth and the sounds of laughter. What a lovely tradition that is to go their each Spring. I know those children will continue to do this trip their entire lives…it is part of them and they will treasure those memories for years and years to come and will take their own children there someday. Yup….they’ll probably invite Grandma Jess and Grandpa Joel!! LOLReplyCancel

  • Christi {Jealous Hands} - What a fun tradition!ReplyCancel

  • Toni :0) - Loved all the photos! Looks like a wonderful time was had by all. Baby Tiny sitting in the water is so adorable! Very scary about the snake but way to go Bill-big bad snake hunter!! HahaReplyCancel

  • Brady - Ahhhh…….snakes. One of the few things I don’t like about Kansas. And I didn’t even know we had copper heads! That IS scary! Glad you guys got it before it got you! The Flint Hills are SO wonderful. My grandparents lived in that area for several years and I remember many days crawling around creek beds on their farm. Such good memories for you and your kiddos!ReplyCancel

  • Leiah - How is it already this time of the year? It seems like it was just a few months ago that you posted about this. I love this tradition!ReplyCancel