We're still in Iowa but the trip is quickly coming to a close. What a nice vacation. The only downer happened the night I wrote the last blog...I caught the flu. The nasty bug delayed our departure to Cedar Rapids but at least Caden didn't catch it. On a positive note, we got to see my dear friend Emily from England as we passed through Des Moines, which is a rare opportunity. Yay!
I could describe our week in Cedar Rapids best with one word: WEDDING. Shannon and Dane's wedding is fast approaching and we spent the week making her invitations, organizing her address list, and selecting decorations. I never thought I'd see the day that Pat would sit and assemble wedding invites. Tedious work and late nights, but we had a lot of laughs.
Don't crush the kitty, LOVE the kitty...
Uncle Dane says nothing runs like a Deere
Happy Hour at the Hasleys complete with drinks and bar stools
Heather and I hosted Shannon's bridal shower on the 19th (Pat & Pam's 39th wedding anniversary). Pam watched all five kids (God bless her) while Heather and I went shopping Wednesday to gather the remaining supplies. Cooking for 30+ people with five kids running around...EXHAUSTING. But Heather is a delight to work with and Allie and Gabrielle are willing helpers.
The hard work paid off as the shower went beautifully. City Hall proved to be an ideal location as nobody saw the disaster we left at Heather's, ha! My face ached by the end of the day from smiling. I think the best part was quizzing Shannon about Dane. We'll say she passed, even though she didn't know how many points are on his buck on the wall. Whoops.
Shannon got a few gifts
Yay sisters! (Heather, Shannon, Me)
Aunt Sheila, Shannon, and Grandma Geraghty
We asked Caden to give Aunt Cindy and Bella hugs...so he hugged the cement instead.
After the shower, Caden and I zipped back to Avoca and have been on the go ever since, including Klindt family pictures, a few days with my sister, tons of dinners and visits with friends and family, and a trip to the zoo.
Kicking back in his sweet ride
Waiting for the zoo train
Caden handled the traveling well, with just a few sleepless nights. He talks a lot now and his favorite words are currently baby and please ("peees!"). He has a truck book that he makes us read about 10 times a day, which is not an exaggeration. He would ride the tractor, the Honda, and the lawnmower all day if he could and he voices his opinion when we stop. He likes to play in the water hose and is already a runner in training. He makes up his own starting line, says ready-set-go ("eee...eee...go!"), and then races to an arbitrary location, generally diving into a down comforter.
Homeless?
Teasing Great Grandma Klindt
Grandma Goettsch's standard flower tour via golf cart
Survived Aunt Cindy's haircut, and Kenna approves
Survived Aunt Cindy's haircut, and Kenna approves
Shucking 15 dozen ears of sweet corn makes Grandpa Bob crazy
That's mine, Grandma Pam! (Brian does this too)
Brian is anxious to see Caden's new tricks. His 2 weeks in Fort Huachuca were stressful, but he did enjoy one weekend in Flagstaff and was pleasantly surprised at how much he liked it there. He competed in the Mountain Man Triathlon and placed 10th overall and 2nd in his age group, which ranks as his best placing yet in a big race.
Thank to everyone that hosted us for meals or overnight stays. I regret that even with all the running around we've done, there are still people we've missed. We'll be in Iowa again soon so perhaps we'll catch some of those people then.
No comments:
Post a Comment