"Yeah! We're Home!"

Those were Emma's words as we pulled into the driveway Wednesday afternoon. We had a wonderful trip to Iowa, but it is good to be back home!

Here are Emma and Camden watching a movie on the plane. They had slept most of the flight since we got up at 2:30 a.m. The first thing Camden did was check on his fish...
Emma ran upstairs to see her room.

As we were unpacking, the kids were enjoying a popsicle on the front porch. Camden tried walking down the steps with his popsicle and took a tumble. This was the 3rd time in less than a week that he fell and bumped his head. He wasn't so lucky this time and scraped up his cute little face.

Do you think he could have picked a bigger bowl for his Cheerios?!?

Jessi and Parker's Wedding

Our much anticipated trip to Iowa was scheduled around a very important event, our dear friend Jessi's wedding. For those of you who may not know, Jessi and I were both Resident Assistants during college. We knew one another but never really hung out much. Who happened to be joining the Sullivans School staff in Yokosuaka, Japan the same year as me? Jessi! Talk about a small world! Jessi quickly became part of our family. She is Emma's best buddy and Camden's wonderful Godmother.
We were thrilled for Jessi when she met Parker a few years ago. She was the happiest we've ever seen her on her wedding day.

Here is the flower girl getting her directions from the bride at the rehearsal. Not only did we get to see Jessi and Parker, but it was a mini Japan reunion with Jane, Patti, Lindsay, SuzAnne, and Mike.
The Bridal Party

It's almost time!

The radiant Mr. and Mrs. Parker!

The fabulous flower girl

Taking our family picture for the bride and groom's digital guest book

The flower girl and her proud papa.

Emma was quite a hit on the dance floor. She was showing off all her moves she's learned from watching Alex the Lion on Madagascar.

The picture of the night: Camden and Emma at their best!

The party animals crashed as we helped clean up.

A Beauty Lesson

One of the biggest laughs we had in Winterset was when Nana let Emma put on some make up. Emma looked in the mirror and exclaimed,

"I look like a zebra!"

There's Nothing Like Family- Part 2

THE family picture! We were so excited that Nathaniel was home visiting, too. We had a great night out on the town with him and some friends.
A family picture with Nathaniel and Granny.

Mandy isn't related by blood, but she's the sister I always wanted to have. By a stroke of luck, Mandy was heading from her hometown to Cedar Falls as we were heading back from Jessi's wedding so we met up at the Hardee's parking lot in Humbolt (a very "Iowa" thing to do). We only had a short time to chat at a nearby park, but it was worth every minute to see her again! Emma and her Godmodder :)

4 Generations

Vanessa Louise, Velma Louise, Linda Louise, and Emma Louise

Let's Swim!

The hot July days Chris and I remember growing up in Iowa decided not to show up during our trip. :) We only made it to the Winterset Aquatic Center once, but the kids had a ball!

Camden couldn't get enough of the little water slide. He'd get to the bottom and shout, "Again!" Taking a ride down the slide with Mommy
In true Winterset fashion, there is a covered bridge mini slide

Emma loved playing with these fountains!

Ridin' in style!

Emma's new goggles

Winterset

I will admit that it has really bothered me that I wasn't able to update our blog in my usual timely fashion the past few weeks. We are now home and after going through 600+ pictures, it is high time I share some of the fun we had during the second half of our trip to Iowa. After the big 4th of July bash, we headed to central Iowa to my hometown, Winterset.

Camden helping Nana water flowers. Emma got her hair trimmed and curled on Monday afternoon. With the humidity and inheriting my hair that refuses to curl, this is what she got. :)
Playing at a park in West Des Moines. This is the longest Camden has ever spent in the swing. It must be Nana's magic touch.

Hanging out in the hot tub with Grandpa.

As Nana mowed, Camden and Emma help sweep off the driveway.

Camden painting...

Enjoying some ice cream at Blank Park Zoo

Riding the train at the zoo-the highlight for Camden!

My parents also kept our old Radio Flyer wagon and the kids had a blast in it!

Hanging out at Granny's house.

Chris is playing the original Mario Brothers on our Atari 2600!

Home

915 South 8th Avenue has been my home since the day I was brought home from the hospital.  My toy room is still in the basement and my bedroom looks pretty much the same.  It's great to be back home right now.  Unfortunately Emma is feeling a bit under the weather and we are hoping a little R & R will have her back to her old self soon.  She has a big day on Saturday-her flower girl debut.  I haven't figured out how to download pictures to my parent's computer, so stay tuned for them!