 |
| Grandma helps Gavin do the monkey bars |
Well, Dad may have been in Doha for nearly 3 weeks finishing out his contract, but we found ways to have fun in Iowa without him. Grandma and Grandpa K took us in for about a week, and then Grandma and Grandpa V drove up from TX to visit us and give us some stuff they had been storing for 5 years or so . . . We went to the Farmer's Market, splash pad, public library and just generally hung out in the far too hot for Iowa weather. Luckily we were sort of used to it coming from Doha . . .
 |
| Gavin climbs the dome on his own! |
 |
| Grandpa V, Aidan, Brady Grandma V and Gavin at the splash pad. It was hot enough the boys were willing to brave the icy cold water! |
 |
| Grandpa V the good sport - Gavin insisted he wear the lion ears. |
 |
| Grandma V was asked to read book, after book, after book, after book . . . (GBA) Aidan loved leaning on her while she read. |
I had the boys draw some pictures to welcome dad home for our airport pickup. We were sort of shamed by another family with this HUGE poster that was photo op ready (i think their mom may have helped). No matter, the boys could BARELY CONTAIN themselves once they saw Dad. Luckily he was nearly past the "do not enter" line as they began running at him. :)
 |
| At the CR airport picking up dad - FINALLY! Can you tell they are a little excited? (BAG) |
 |
| They can hardly wait to tell him about their pictures. (BAG) |
 |
| No really, look at what I drew you Daddy! (BG) |
 |
| And guess what else we have been doing Daddy? (AB) |
 |
| He can still pick all three of them up at once. Just barely (GBA) |
 |
| They couldn't get any closer to him while he was reading before nap that day (BGA) |
The day after Dad got home, Grandma and Grandpa V left for TX and we left for Chicago and then Door County with the Raber-Albritton's and the Slabas-Guidi's. It was so much fun to see our adult friends, for the boys to meet them again and to meet baby Marcus. The boys got to test out our iPad "entertainment center"in the minivan and watched some old classics on our road trip - Lady and the Tramp and Mary Poppins. We also got to see how much stuff our car could actually hold and took my friend Renee and baby Marcus up to Door County with us so Robert could stay home and try to get well in order to join us for the weekend. Let's just say EVERYONE was a good traveler that day. :)
 |
| Our first family vacation to Door County, WI with some friends - Aidan sorta likes corn. A LOT. |
 |
| Brady likes corn too. Gavin just ate as many hot dogs as we would give him. |
 |
| A little light reading after mom got a run in (AGB) |
 |
| Brothers share! (GA) |
 |
| The shoulder ride back from the ice cream shop (B and daddy, A and Gary, G and Jenny). Gavin gave Jenny his own special hairstyle. |
 |
| Mom can't get them on her shoulders, but Gavin likes piggy back rides any way. |
 |
| Playing a little doctor - Brady checks out Aidan's mouth while Gavin adjusts the light |
Getting home involved one more overnight stop in Chicago to see our friends Heidi, Dave, Johanna and Alexandra. Seeing as how they just got to their house the day before we arrived, AND all of their stuff was in storage, they are pretty much awesome for letting us stay the night with them. The boys were overjoyed to see their friends (i think they were getting sick of adults and each other by then) and it made our drive home significantly less painful. We are looking forward to being able to see them more regularly when THEY finally repatriate next year!
In the meantime, the drought didn't kill everything in our garden and the rabbit fence seems to be doing its job! Check out our first harvest!
 |
| Our first cucumber from our garden! (GB) |
 |
| Hello? Hello? Is anyone there? (A) |
Once we were back, the boys wanted to show dad around IC. We went to the library, the parks, the lake, the farmer's market . . . oh yeah, and hung out around our house a bit. There is nothing like having the whole family back together. Even Brady is sleeping MUCH better through the night with Dad home.
 |
| G &A at the IC Saturday Farmer's Market. Aidan demanded to wear this shirt. It was my 2nd grade field day shirt - Go Washington's Warriors! I love many things about this photo 1) Aidan fits a shirt I wore as a 2nd grader. WHAT?! 2) the shirt is still pretty much in pristine condition and I wore it A LOT as a kid. 3) Mrs. Washington was one of the best teachers I have ever had. I still remember her fondly, as do my classmates. I hope all of the boys have the opportunity to have teachers like her throughout school. |
 |
| A little tree climbing at the Farmer's Market (G&A) |
 |
| Who's that handsome kid? (A) |
 |
| Gavin could have stayed up there all day. Brady was sick (lower right) and didn't really feel like it. |
