Wheat Harvest

In July, our beloved Sister Atkins finished her mission. Her dad, David, and one brother and sister, Liam and Charlotte, flew from England to pick her up and drive around a bit to see things and meet people. We met up with them at Charly and Tony Diaz's farm. The Atkinses had never seen a farm before, which is something that had never crossed my mind about England. Farms are such a normal American thing, especially in Kansas, that I hadn't considered England not being an agricultural country.

We all took turns going for a ride in the big tractor as it made rounds over the wheat field.

{Dancy and Megan}

Thora loved David Atkins from the moment she stepped out of the van. She ran straight to him and jumped into his arms. No big deal that he was a complete stranger! She gave him hugs all day, completely melting into him. When she adopts a buddy, she really adopts a buddy! David had no resistance to this little bundle of love.

Thora and David going for a tractor ride!

Watching the wheat pour.

Camera skills.

Shad and Katie

Tommy (and Emily, though you can't see her)

Emily loved getting to hold and play with these kids more than she could on her mission!

{Tommy and Emily}

We ate meatballs for dinner at Charly's house. Emily loves a good prank, and Brits don't usually eat much finger food, so I told Liam that Americans eat meatballs with their fingers. He tried a couple bites, then said it was ridiculous and got a fork! We all had a good laugh when I told him it was a joke. We enjoyed good conversation with David, Emily, Liam and Charlotte, the latter two seeming much more mature than their teen American counterparts are. Liam was a good sport and engaged in tickle fights with Tommy; Dancy loved that she and Charlotte had matching shirts.

{Back row: Thora, David, Emily, Samson, Megan, Shad, Liam, Charlotte}

{Front row: Katie, Tommy, Dancy}

And we ended the evening with a grape eating contest.