Whew! We made a quick (but super fun) trip up to Missouri over the weekend to see Andrew’s family and have a little pre-Thanksgiving celebration.
Right before we left, the doorbell rang and this sweet package was on my porch. The wonderful people over at Erin Condren sent me this box full of monogrammed things for my family with Ashby’s name on them! I seriously got emotional over the kindness of their hearts. It’s hard to believe that people in California working hard at their own business are thinking about my sweet girl currently living in an orphanage on the other side of the world. I’ve always been a HUGE fan of Erin Condren, but now I’m over the moon. They will forever have a piece of my heart.
About to load up for our road trip! Love this sweet boy :).
Right at 10:30, the Shull four loaded up and headed to Missouri. It’s about a 5.5 hour drive from our house to Andrew’s parents’ house outside of Joplin. We watched Christmas movies and listened to Christmas music the whole way up.
For lunch, we stopped at Cracker Barrel, of course! I don’t think there is any better road trip fare!
We met Andrew’s parents in Joplin for dinner (I forgot to take pics) and then headed back to their house.
I ate a peanut butter brownie (it was so good!) and read Andy’s new book while the kiddos played a bit. It was delightful!
Kensington drew a picture for me…such a sweet girl with her sweet picture. It’s raining on me in this pic (see the rain!) and I’m holding an umbrella. I love that I’m wearing heels (of course), have on full makeup and that the roots of that tree are showing. Girlfriend loves to add detail!
The next morning, I took in the view, enjoyed my coffee and more Andy. My in-laws live on a working farm out in the middle of nowhere. They’ve lived here almost 40 years.
While I was enjoying my quiet morning, Andrew and Smith were sitting in a deer blind. They woke up at 5:30 to hunt. Smith loves hunting with his dad.
Twelve Thanksgivings ago, Andrew invited me to his parents’ farm for the first time. As a city girl, I had never been on a working farm like this. When we drove up, his dad was wearing overalls and driving a tractor. It was true love with this boy :).
We left the farm and headed to one of our favorite places (Sandstone Garden) for lunch and a little shopping.
It was raining as we walked in and Andrew took this pic of me…Texas girl, in Missouri supporting her Massachusetts team. I’m a complex gal.
These two.
We made our way to a candy house outside of Joplin. It’s a little magical shop that makes me think I’m in Germany every time I visit.
Isn’t it so cute?!
Can I please have jelly beans???
After lunch and the candy house, Kensington said she wanted to go on the afternoon hunt with Andrew. She had never been before, so we weren’t sure what she would think but she was super excited. She put on Smith’s hunting gear (and her Wellies) and they headed out.
He loved spending that extra time with her :). My dad and I bond over baseball…maybe they’ll bond over hunting????
Andrew said she sat there and worked on her French most of the time (totally my kid) and then he said she screamed out loud (a big no, no when hunting) when she saw this…
…the French word that popped up was “le chasseur” or “the hunter” in English. Isn’t that funny?! What are the odds???
Legs crossed, watching a movie, eating a cookie…maybe I could hunt after all????
She spotted a squirrel. I think we have those in our backyard at home too. 😉
Meanwhile, my mother-in-law and I found a Starbucks and walked through the mall. That’s my kind of hunting!
Later that night, we met Andrew’s brother, his wife and their two kids for dinner at 609 (so good if you’re in Joplin!). Due to the nature of both of their jobs, they are not on any forms of social media, so I’ll keep the pics of their cute kids to myself. We had a great time catching up with family and enjoying a yummy meal before heading to Aunt Vicki’s house for dessert!
At 5:15 the next morning, we woke up the kids and headed back to Texas. They stayed awake and watched 3 Christmas movies for almost 6 hours…and then about 5 minutes before pulling into our driveway, they both fell asleep. Always happens.
Such a great trip to Missouri! We sure do love going to visit!
On my foodie blog today…
…a Black Friday Menu that uses your leftover turkey from the day before!
XO
Blue-Eyed Bride says
So fun! And I'm cracking up at K with her legs crossed in the hunting blind eating that cookie. So funny!
Christene Demers-Rowland says
I think it is amazing that you a have poplar blog and still respectful of family by not posting pictures of family members for privacy. 🙂 The pictures of Kensington "hunting" are priceless. Sounds like you all had a great time.
kimm atwood says
What a fabulous road trip
Erika Slaughter says
Love that she enjoyed a little hunting time too!! Hahahahaha!0
Andrea Munding says
K is an artist!
Narci says
It looks like a super fun trip!! I love that cute restaurant and candy store! Xoxo
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
K is soooooo smart. Movies and refreshments should be requirements for a good hunt. Yep, smart girl.
Kelly Stamps says
Joplin is only an hour from me and Ive heard people talk about sandstone garden. I think I may take a day trip this spring! Maybe try 609! ?
Anonymous says
Love the photo of K in the blind with legs crossed and eating a cookie. Still have to be a little lady
Anonymous says
You look so pretty in the pic with smith!! And Kensington draws very well for her age…budding artist??
[darci @ the good life] says
That is truly the sweetest gesture by Erin Condren….. makes me smile just thinking about it!!!
Looks like y'all had a wonderful trip. LOVE the pic of K in the hunting blind….priceless!
Lynn {A Taste of Country} says
I love that Kensington was too fancy to wear a football jersey but was fine wearing camo hunting gear. Sweet girl! Sounds like a perfect little trip to visit family.
Paula says
Kensington is hysterical! I like her hunting style!
sonicgal says
I grew up near Webb City, love sandstone gardens, 609, and especially Richardsons candy house! ❤️
Anonymous says
I didn't know you were raised in the city! Do you miss it? I was raised in a more rural part of california but would loooove to spend a year in a huge city like NYC!
Macy Strozier says
I just love how Kensington wanted to go hunting, something I would ask my dad. I also like how she wore Smiths baseball hat( I think) even though she HATES orange.. Cutest kids in the world……
Anonymous says
Shay, I love those pink earrings!! Please share the brand and where you got them!
Jaclyn Johnson says
Hi Shay! Looks like an amazing trip! I just wanted to say that I saw on Narci's blog about Manda's tumor being reduced by over 80% and I was SO happy to read that!!! I'll continue praying for her and hope her next round of treatment continues to work as well, hopefully she's feeling ok too! Happy Thanksgiving!
Becky says
What app is Kensington using to learn French? My Kindergartener is obsessed with Spanish and I've been looking for something like the app Kensington is using to help her learn it. Maybe there's a Spanish version 🙂
Courtney says
My husband is from south Texas and his family has a ranch that he took care of until we moved. The first time he took me out there I was sooo out of my element. His family got a big kick out of me being afraid of the cows! My ranch activities include reading on the porch and taking naps.
Denise Australia says
Hi Shay,
What an amazing trip. The gift of stationary with Ashby's name on it is beautiful, wonderful of Erin to send it to you. It would make me tear up too. I love how you and Andrew allowed K to go hunting with him, tho you weren't sure how she'd go with it. She looks like she's put her own spin on it.
Alison says
Wonderful trip Shay!
Aubrey says
I know that's a long drive, but it is so completely worth it to make sure that your kids spend time with their MO grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins! I am SO looking forward to the day that my girls have frequent interactions with that WC crew!! I don't care how long the drive is, I want my kids to spend quality time with their cousins. P.S. I hope you hugged J, G, B and S so hard they nearly popped. 🙂
Rebekah @ Living && Learning says
We were recently in Missouri to see my brother, as we drove back to Texas we stopped at a random gas station without knowing where we were. I felt like such a fool standing inside asking how far we were to the Ok state line and then responding "Oh so we must be near Joplin" we were indeed in Joplin. They were sweet to not mock my lost self. 🙂 Kensington is adorable in the hunting gear & wellies!