Stormy Weather

Hello, everyone.  It's me, Cammie!  As many of you know, we've been having some very bad storms here in Kansas for the past couple of days.  A few very powerful tornadoes have ripped through our state and have caused lots of damage; thankfully, there have been no reports of loss of life at this point.  We have been very blessed that the worst of it has missed us.

Here are some photos to show you what we've been up to and how we cope.  This is us getting a quick walk in between storm cells the other morning:

"I think we'd best step on the gas, huh, Cam?"
"Yes. No time for Crazed River Otter Games, Maggie."

We made it home just before the storm hit!  This was the scene yesterday morning:

"This is better, isn't it?"
"Yes, but Mom said stuff is going to cook up later."

Mom started college as a Meteorology major and is still a total weather nerd.  I think "cook up later" is one of those technical terms she learned.

Anyway, she was right, and things started getting pretty bad last night.  If you haven't heard the reports, you can click here for a good synopsis.  Once the storm hit Chapman, KS, where a tornado destroyed about 20 houses, we knew it was heading our way.  It's important to follow on radar (and we were) ...

The pin is where we are

... but Mom said she was taught that the first thing to do to know the weather is to do this:

"Look out the window, Mags!"
"Doesn't look too bad out there yet!"

That's right - look out the window.  Ha roo woo roo!  We were able to get in a quick potty break before the storm hit.  Thankfully, just the edge of that cell hit us and we are fine.  Our prayers go out to the people of Chapman and those in other areas hit by the tornadoes.

We anticipate more storms this afternoon, but this morning we were able to get out on a nice family walk!  Here we are, posing on the water tower trail:

"Smile, Mags!"
"OK ... but I won't look at the camera!"

We even brought something home with us today!

"Wow, was that thing heavy!"
"Yeah, but isn't it a cool rock?!?"

Actually, it wasn't so much "we" that carried it home, as it was Dad ... but we did our best to encourage him along the way. Especially during the uphill parts. Especially because it weights about 87 gazillion pounds. Won't it look great in our wildflower garden, though?!?

Please keep the Midwest in your prayers as we batten down the hatches again today!

Cammie!