We left last Friday morning and were at my parents house in just under 5 hours. I only had to make our normal halfway point pit stop at a McDonalds to feed and change him. That was the only time he cried on the trip. For some reason he has developed a fear of public bathrooms. (He's probably on to something.) Toilets flushing and hand dryers scare him to death! Once we were back in the car he was a happy camper.
On Friday night we all went to Usher's Ferry for a family night. I think we were one of three families and boy were they excited to see us show up! We walked around a bit to look in some of the buildings and then we got to go on a hay rack ride. I was sad to discover that a lot of the buildings ruined or have been torn down because of the 2008 flood. They don't have the funding to fix them. Such a bummer.
I honestly can't remember what we did on Saturday. I think for the most part we all just hung out at the house. We had planned to go to the park, but Daniel went down for a nap and didn't wake up for 3 hours! By then it was close to supper, so we decided to do the park on Sunday.
We went to Bever Park on Sunday morning. Yeah...we're church skippers. Yet another disappointment of sorts. It was fun, but it's just so different from when we were kids. When I was little there were still monkeys, wildcats, owls, prairie dogs etc. We could even bring food to feed the animals. Now it's just the farm animals...and there aren't even as many as when we were little. It's just plain sad.
Where are the animals?
\Ah ha!
We did have a bit of fun on the springy animals...
Plus we got some pictures on the rock!
I got a cute cousin picture as well.
After we got home, everyone except mom, dad, Daniel and I went swimming. I wanted Daniel to get a nap and had no desire to go to the pool. We all went out to Genghis Grill for supper. I wasn't in the mood for it at all, but I ended up enjoying it. Plus, afterward Erica, Kendra, Daniel and I went to Orange Lear. FYI...Birthday Cake and Brownie Batter flavored yogurt combined with cookie dough, Reese's pieces and caramel bites is AMAZING!
On Monday we went to Planet X. They claimed they're bigger and better now that they've moved. Um. No. Smaller and crappier is more like it. We still ended up having a really good time, but it's again, not like it once was. Are we seeing a pattern here?
We played games (and got ripped off out of tickets and tokens along the way). I LOVE that my dad got in on all the action too!
They had this "Space Ball" game, where you jump on a trampoline and try getting balls through holes. Plus a trampoline basketball game. Dad, Kendra and I all played. Oh...and it's really fun trying not to pee your pants after you've had a baby. Ha!
Grandma and Daniel hung out together!
We also played some mini golf and laser tag...and amazingly I did well with laser tag. Let me tell you, it's not easy when you don't have any depth perception! I think that game was the highlight! Even though, the room we played in was also far smaller than the old one!
That night we celebrated Jim's birthday early and Grandma came over for supper!
Daniel loved Great Grandma's Life Alert necklace!
Then Tuesday was just another hang out day. Aunt Donna and Julie came in the afternoon and Erica and I went out for a cruise around Cedar Rapids and Palo, just like the old days.
Daniel with Aunt Donna
Love my Osh Kosh Boy. He melts my heart.
Playing Yahtzee that night.
Wednesday it was time to go home. We had to get a few more pictures before we all said goodbye.
Grandma with her grandsons.
The Beck family.
I was looking forward to getting home and yet sad to leave again at the same time. I still get teary eyed as I drive away. This time I even had some tears spill over. I think the longer I stay, the sadder I feel when I leave. It's funny because the night before Erica was saying she would NEVER move back to Iowa, and I said I would. She and I are still opposites! I don't think my hubby will go for moving though!
It was really nice to get back home though and see Jacob. He and Daniel had a very sweet reunion. It was also nice to sleep in my own bed again. Nothing like your own bed and pillows! Plus having our little family back together again was great!
Love your re-cap of your trip. I too would move back to IA. :) Altho Uncle Mike & I really like Flagstaff, AZ and have thought about it for retirement, if I were alone I would be in IA. :)
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures. So glad you had a great time.
And it is very sad about the changes. :( I know there are things from my childhood that I'm sad are gone too. Time moves on, tho sometimes I wonder if it's all for the better.