We flew from Stavanger, Norway to Dulles Airport (D.C.) one day before Nancy's birthday, so there was time for a birthday cake an an adults-only dinner at a nice restaurant. (Note how Daniel, Eli and Micah enjoyed clowning around for the photo!)
After a short stay in Silver Spring, MD with Mark and Marta and the boys, we all drove in the Toyota Sienna to Honey Creek State Park Resort in Iowa where we stayed three nights in the hotel and in very nice cabins -- all in a celebration of Levi's 90th b-day. (He's pictured with daughter-in-law Martha, wife Ramona and grandson, Aaron.)
On Saturday night at the resort we had a very nice catered dinner for Levi and his family where many expressions of appreciation were shared with "Dad, Grandpa and Great-grandpa." (Mark, Marta and Micah are obviously enjoying the evening.)
One of the really nice things about the week-end was the fact that Ramona's son, Kim, a professional photographer, was willing to donate his time and talents to take dozens of pictures of families and informal groups at the dinner.
Nancy and I, Levi and Ramona and Don and Lynn Willits all stayed in the lodge while three four-bedroom cabins housed the rest of our family, Martha's family, and Ray and Robin's family. Martha's son-in-law, Bryan Whatley, brought a boat to the lake at the resort and several, including Tasha, spent time water-skiing.
It took Tasha only a few attempts at getting-up on her skis before she looked like a pro! (For her it was great fun on a hot day, and Mom and Dad greatly enjoyed watching her ski.) With the boat available the kids had fun riding in the boat and being towed in a large "tube." And, besides activities on the lake, the lodge had a "water park" on the lower floor that had an impressive water-slide, a hot tub and several shallow pools for kids. (Pictured below are Nick Whatley [in the boat], Gabi [standing] and, l-r, Allison Whatley, Reeve and Eli Woodward.)
Pictured below are Joyce and Audrey Buxton at the dinner
and Mark and boys on the boat. - rw
