Home!

Well, some very important people traveled around the world recently....:) We traveled back to Burr Oak Memorial Day weekend to see Tony, Tara & Quinn! It has been a long time since we've seen them and we were super excited to see 10.5 month old Q and of course, her parents:) 

We chose to leave Saturday so we could get a few things accomplished at our place. The crew wasn't supposed to arrive until later Saturday and it turns out that they were delayed a day due to stupid passport issues (Japan stamped it wrong last time!). It was also my birthday on the 23rd and I celebrated by getting up early and going to spin class and then stopping for a coffee at Silver Star Health in New Lisbon. Dave and the kids met me there and we had a fun little breakfast and they bought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers! We had a wonderful(ly quiet) trip to Iowa:) and headed straight to my cousin Kari's house as it was her oldest's graduation party! Somehow, Austin is done with high school already and it was fun to be able to see everyone and be at his celebration! The weather was nice (very windy!) but we visited and then took the kids back home for bedtime. They did great and we were soon out by the campfire with Mom, Dad, Andrew, Kylie, Jerry, Jackie, Geoff and Mary! So many fun times out there, we laughed a lot and finally went in as it was getting closer to midnight.

Sunday morning was relaxing for Dave, the kids and I. Mom and Dad got up and left for the airport. We decided to get ready and go down to Decorah. We wanted some coffee, a few things at Walmart and then were going to see (Great) Grandma. It was pouring rain, so that was not ideal, but we ran our errands and then met Andrew and Kylie for lunch at Mabe's - how long has it been since we ate there?! That a was fun meal. 

We went to Wellington and Kari, Jodi & Harold were there as well. It was...hard. To see Grandma this time. She has been much more sick and she was emotional. It was, honestly, a little chaotic with so many people there and of course, the kids are loud and everywhere. But I think it was a nice distraction for people, too. The highlight of the visit for me was seeing Grandma so happy and enjoying the kids. She really loves those babes. We didn't stay too long and once she was asleep, we left to go home. 

Ayden holding hands with Great Grandma

It was so sweet

It was a rainy afternoon nap time for everyone when we got back to Mom and Dads. Well, for the boys. Kate watched a movie quietly (I don't think she fell asleep) and I baked some rhubarb bars and cleaned up. Then it was time to be together! Andrew and Kylie came over and then the contingent from the airport arrived! It was so fun and everyone was so full of joy that they were safely here. Quinn was understandably hesitant and we all felt so bad for them, I don't remember what time it was in "Okinawa" time but they were troopers. Quinn did light up and play with the kids and that was just so fun to see. It was, obviously, the first time they saw Ayden and both Tony and Tara had some time holding him and saying hello:)

After a long trip, the grandkids get to playing

Quinn also liked this balloon:)

After they headed to Pat and Roger's for the night (morning), we made some supper and then played Shanghai! Miss Kruse flopped practically every round, so there is going to be a pretty big target on her back during our family vacation in July! Oh - we also decided there will be some big prize to an all-week Shanghai tournament that week. Andrew is working on the trophy, Kylie insists there is some fun benefit to the winner. There will be quite the battle, I'm sure. I really like playing, but I wish I won a bit more often! I can only remember one time...uff da. 

Monday morning the guys entered a golf tournament in Harmony. Mom and I watched the kids at home and then Tara brought Quinn up for a couple hours. Though it is a little distracting to have the kids underfoot, it was fun to catch up and we definitely wanted the cousins to play together - which they did really well! I will just look forward to this coming weekend when we have a full weekend to be together and hopefully Tara and I can be "child-less" for a few moments so we can really carry on a full conversation:) (this is a common complaint of mine, somehow whenever we get together with friends - the children are still surrounding the moms and we never quite finish a chat!) 

Our visit the next day - Quinn loves Ayden SO much!! :)

We are going to have to watch these two closely,
Collin keeps trying to give Ayden toys...

Quinn exploring Gma & Gpa's house:)

Once the boys returned, we spent some time on the porch (that is my happy place, I think) and the kids played in the grass and rode their bikes. After we were packed up (drove the Suburban and we had plenty of room!) we stopped out at Andrew's to see their new camper! We've heard so much about the repairs they made and I was so excited to see it. It is wonderful! Dave and I are definitely jealous, I want to go camping so bad and hopefully we get out once or twice with them. The camper has great space and will be so fun. The kids still had plenty of energy and were running around exploring. Collin kept saying "tractor" and pointing toward the shed:) Can't wait to come back and "help" Uncle Andy sometime. 

Having fun outside

Hanging on the porch

Where oh where does he get his silliness? 

He just sat and relaxed for a long time

At Uncle Andy's, running out more energy

She was so happy to be there. Striking all kinds of poses

Their new camper! 

We had a bit of a rough ride back to Wisconsin. We stopped maybe four times? Collin fell asleep instantly but Ayden couldn't quite get there. I was hungry. So we stopped and Ayden screamed which eventually woke Collin. Then we had a Kate restroom break, Ayden diaper change/blowout and after going again, had to stop to try and calm Collin down. I have never had him act like that for so long in the car. We eventually got him to calm down by going into a gas station to pick out a drink. Uff da. Then Ayden woke up and cried. I wanted to go to bed the second we opened our front door, but Dave was wonderful and unloaded everything and did the kids bedtime as I nursed/cuddled/loved on Ayden. It turned out okay and the kids slept well that night:) 

The plans are to come back this coming weekend and spend some Brown family time together. Tony will have to go back soon and Kate still has school and Dave work, so it is our only time! I'm praying for nice weather and lots of playing outside!