We were blessed to have TONS of family come visit us in Iowa at the beginning of July just before our move. They came to help Hazel celebrate her special day, and in my brother and sister's case to say both hello and goodbye to Iowa.
Grandma and Grandpa
Michael's parents arrived first. We got just the two of them to ourselves for a few days and it was perfect. Teri painted the girls nails in the fanciest ways possible. No professional pedicure could be as fun or meaningful as Grandma's! They also joined us for Hazel's ear piercing adventure, our last visit to the beloved Hickory Park restaurant, and one last hike on the high trestle bridge.
Michael's parents arrived first. We got just the two of them to ourselves for a few days and it was perfect. Teri painted the girls nails in the fanciest ways possible. No professional pedicure could be as fun or meaningful as Grandma's! They also joined us for Hazel's ear piercing adventure, our last visit to the beloved Hickory Park restaurant, and one last hike on the high trestle bridge.
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| Lenora LOVES grandpa and I can't get over how much she looks like him! |
Teri and Tony have an incredible way of taking a few short days and showering the kids with a year's worth of love, wisdom, and reinforcement of the gospel truths we teach them. I love how they interact with our kids and feel so blessed to have them!
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Gram and Grandpa plus my Siblings!
Next up my parents arrived along with Gabby and Harrison and their families! It was so, so, so much fun to have all of us together for a week. We visited, let our kids stay up way to late, played, had fun, celebrated, and just had an incredible time. Hazel had no doubt how loved she is by all of these wonderful people!
Next up my parents arrived along with Gabby and Harrison and their families! It was so, so, so much fun to have all of us together for a week. We visited, let our kids stay up way to late, played, had fun, celebrated, and just had an incredible time. Hazel had no doubt how loved she is by all of these wonderful people!
The adults quickly became obsessed with this card game Harrison and Becca brought. I'm honestly not sure who had more fun on this trip, the cousins or the siblings. I'm thinking it was the siblings!
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Nauvoo Trip
After Hazel's baptism on Saturday and church Sunday, Teri and Tony had to head home. Early Monday morning most of the group headed to Nauvoo! I stayed home with my mom for this part of the trip. Her neck/back still give her lots of pain and she has to be very careful not to overdo it. In my mind it was the best of both worlds, because I got a special two days in with just her!
After Hazel's baptism on Saturday and church Sunday, Teri and Tony had to head home. Early Monday morning most of the group headed to Nauvoo! I stayed home with my mom for this part of the trip. Her neck/back still give her lots of pain and she has to be very careful not to overdo it. In my mind it was the best of both worlds, because I got a special two days in with just her!
I'm told the cousins had a blast together in Nauvoo. They loved seeing all the sites, and of course adored the pioneer dress-up/game area. They also visited Carthage Jail which is something Michael and the kids had never done before.
While they were gone, my mom and I had a wonderful visit, and Lenora and Orson got some special alone time with Gram. We sewed, read lots of books, and enjoyed some beautiful walks. My mom is such an amazing example of patience and perseverance through trials! It was so great to see her and for the kids to read on her lap! (as opposed to over Skype).
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Cousins
Of course, these sweet kids had a blast together. They are so lucky to have so many girl cousins all in a row! I'm sure they're going to be close as they get older, and I can't wait to see it! This year Brooklyn and Lenora were older and much more involved in playing with the bigger girls. Lydia still isn't so sure, but she sure loved the girls giant dress up box! And Orson just goes along with the ride haha. Maybe my siblings will have some boys next so the poor kid isn't so outnumbered. He sure doesn't seem to mind for the moment. As for little Miss Ginny, they all just doted on her. She is full of smiles and sunshine; it was so great to meet her finally!
Of course, these sweet kids had a blast together. They are so lucky to have so many girl cousins all in a row! I'm sure they're going to be close as they get older, and I can't wait to see it! This year Brooklyn and Lenora were older and much more involved in playing with the bigger girls. Lydia still isn't so sure, but she sure loved the girls giant dress up box! And Orson just goes along with the ride haha. Maybe my siblings will have some boys next so the poor kid isn't so outnumbered. He sure doesn't seem to mind for the moment. As for little Miss Ginny, they all just doted on her. She is full of smiles and sunshine; it was so great to meet her finally!
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Outings
I didn't take nearly enough pictures, but we had something planned every day. We went to the library for story time one day and happened to catch tractor week. They had a real tractor parked outside for the kids to explore, and Orson was in heaven!
Another day we all took a ride on the Boone Scenic Railroad. It was HOT but so worth it for the beautiful views and the pleasure my dad got from having us all on a train ride together. That never gets old for him!
My Dad and Michael also took the big girls to the car races one night. The girls weren't so sure about it at first, but they said they had a blast! Somehow my Dad avoided most of the pictures while he was here, but it was so great to see him! He had his morning pow-wows with whichever kids were awake, told them wonderful stories, cheesy jokes, and loved them to bits. He is the best grandpa!
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