To Nebraska or Bust...

Last Friday we left for Iowa and Nebraska to visit Mike's family. We flew out of Boston and arrived into Minneapolis and drove down to see Dan & Kim in Milford, Iowa. We spent a couple of days there then drove over to Nebraska to see Grandma & Grandpa. Was nice to see everyone again... time is always too short! Thanks for the chocolate cupcakes Grandma! :)

Leaving Boston - that's downtown, with airport in background
the zoo at the airport

sisters
and our arrival in Iowa... Kendra, Bella & Aunt Kim
Kate seemed to warm up to Uncle Dan pretty easily...
Nicole, David & Bella slept in the tent (in the basement)... was pretty exciting!

Nicole showing the kids some deer nearby

Kate and Kendra self photo
Kim & Dan
showing off his dual citizenship
family shot

trying on hats in a store
the kids chased the cats all day long....
On Saturday night we started the 3 hour drive from Iowa to Norfolk, Nebraska... we saw lots of corn fields (up about 3-4" in some places), and lots of these...
and finally...

a long drive...
...for everyone!
the beautiful mid-west sky
Grandma & Bella on sunday morning

Daddy and his boy
after meeting with the kids
...and if you wondered why your flowers looked a little shmushed...
Bella riding daddy's old bike
going for a walk down grandma & grandpa's laneway

we went to see & feed the cows
Then off to a birthday part at Matt & Tanis Johnson's... Tylyn with Bella & Snowflake
Bella now wants a bunny
Paula with Montana and Kate
Trent & Stephanie with their two children

Matt & Tanis
cowboy David
opening presents
Mike, Merrit, Grandpa & GrandmaKate eating popcorn with Grandpa

Grandpa spent a bit of time trying to figure out his new phone!
and Mike taking the troops for a 4-wheeler ride

Here are a couple videos of Kate goofing off and singing...

Kindergarten Visit

Bella had here visit into the Kindergarten classroom at Newfields Elementary School this morning! She was there for about an hour spending time in the classroom with the current students and her teacher-to-be. She came out smiles, holding a 'picture story' she had completed, and wanted to go back... so this is good - I guess! :( kinda sad for mom... It's the end of one era, and a new beginning... aaaaahhhhh!!! she's my little girl.. she can't leave me!!

We are off to visit Uncle Dan & Aunt Kim, Kendra & Nicole in Iowa, then on to see Grandma & Grandpa Klinetobe in Nebraska. We leave on Friday... flying on Northwest -what? no TV's! - into Minneapolis, and drive down from there. Kids are pretty excited!! I will be too once the packing is done and get everyone up at 3 to catch our 6:00 a.m. flight... the joys of standby.


David with his friend Erin - waiting for their big sisters in the school library (and eating donuts too!)

then it was out to the playground for some fun...
Kate on the swings
monkeying around
independent me!

Special Visits

Last week I had girls night out at our home... we had 13 gals sitting around the table sharing some laughs & feasting. I wanted to have a spring feel to it, so I made an attempt to put together some floral arrangements to brighten the mood. Then we had the workers for a couple of nights which is always a special time and the kids are so excited to have them here.

These first 2 snapshots struck me funny... that's our Miss Kate...
...favourite meal of the day (actually, it's about 3 times a day!)

Girls night out...
and again...
David sitting on the island
mama feeding my little monkey... again!
and our special visitors this week...

Now don't you love it when the kids learn how to take pictures all by themselves... you wouldnt' believe all the pictures I find on the camera (unknown to me!)... I'll share a few...
self portrait I guess
and one of dad...