Coast to Coast to Prairie

In just over three weeks, Kari and Sarah traveled from Laguna Beach in California to Cocoa Beach in Florida to Bryant, SD (that last is the ultimate tourist destination!).

Our family vacation to California thrilled us all, from Disney

and Hollywood

to the Golden Gate Bridge

 and the redwoods, thanks to the hospitality of Pete's cousins, Chloe & Gary Koslowsky and Russ & Ria Schaefer.  We also enjoyed riding the train again 

and relaxed for a few days at Dana Point.  Pete, Kari, Sarah, Andrew & Philip formed the crew - much smaller than our usual nine-person contingent.  We didn't get any stares or questions like, "Are they all yours??"  At the end of that trip we spent a short time in the frigid waters of the Pacific at Laguna Beach.

Kari, Joel, Daniel and Sarah flew to Orlando with thirteen others from Svea for a volunteer week with Give Kids the World in Kissimmee, a resort for families of children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.   They work with dozens of wish-granting organizations to provide these families with a week of pure happiness.  Corporations donate money and goods, while volunteers man 1500 shifts per week, cleaning, serving, helping, feeding, playing with and interacting with the children and their families.  Our group provided 153 shifts during the five days we worked, driving 20-30 minutes (each way) twice a day for 3-4 hour periods.

On our off day, we surfed, swam and body-boarded at Cocoa Beach, where the air was almost 100 degrees and the water of the Atlantic was warm enough to spend hours.

Last weekend the Stadem family gathered in Bryant for the bi-annual reunion, with 81 present.  We were able to use the rebuilt (though unfinished) barn, which amazed everyone who entered.  The efforts of Leroy Stadem, Steve Stadem and Bernie Iserman, along with donated labor, time and money by dozens of relatives, have really paid off in a usable and beautiful meeting space.

Now we're ready to be home for a while.  Almost caught up!