Kentucky/Indiana Trip (Part 3: Aunt Stephanie)

We spent the last leg of our trip with my sister, Stephanie, and her family. The first night, we braved the heat and took the kids horse back riding at Mom and Dad's, even though they are living in ND right now. Steph and Brandon bought two old horses that are perfect for the little ones to ride on. They are taking care of the entire farm while Mom and Dad are gone, and I am thankful that they are there to do so. It is so nice to be able to share some of my childhood with Olivia and Leo. The horseback riding reminds me of the old horses we rode daily in the summer times growing up! Those summers from the time I was about eight to fifteen are vivid in my mind!

 Olivia, Abby, and Craig had a ball riding horses, and Stephanie was a wonderful hostess! Sorry for the bad pictures, but I only brought my phone.

This was the attempt to get a picture that looked like Olivia was riding by herself!

The little boys hung out in the stroller mostly, eating puffs...

And sharing water! Ha! This was Leo's idea!

But, actually, all the kids shared water. So, that night when Craig, Abby, Stephanie, and Brandon got a stomach bug, we knew it would just be days before we got it. Ugh. And we all did, except me, thankfully. Throw in a trip to the ER for Nicholas for a secondary infection he had, and we ended up staying a few extra days so that everyone could recover!!

We did do a few things, though! The kids went to VBS two nights when they were well:

We went to the pool. This is Leo trying to figure out why Luke is sitting next to him!

And we played a lot! The cousins get along amazingly well! Abby and Craig are so patient, helpful, and loving to my kids! I hope my two get along as well as Craig and Abby!

Here is Leo on the stairs from the basement to the main floor. He loved the stairs and got the hang of going down them, too!

We had a lot of play time...

in the basement

with trains...

cuddling time... Leo loved to plop on Craig and Abby!

We checked chickens, gathered eggs, and picked vegetables almost daily, too, which was fun for my city kids! Stephanie cooked dinner most nights, so I was off duty, which was a nice break for me.

Luke was adorable in his little play pen!

And we even got to celebrate Abby's 7th birthday on July 11 because we were delayed! Abby, the animal lover, got a beta fish and habitat for her birthday! We all went to Rural King that morning to get other farm things for her, too!

Setting up the fish tank

I don't know many 7 year old girls who would want to decorate their cake with farm animal figurines! Abby is so sweet!

Leo really enjoyed the cake and the visit!

I had a really great visit with Stephanie, too, since we were at home quite a bit and the kids played so well together! I miss her and am thankful that she lets us just come and stay whenever we want. I am thankful she lets me call as much as I do, too. What a wonderful thing it is to have sisters! I love both of mine so much, and hope one day we will all live a little closer so that all our babies can be close.

Indiana/Kentucky trip (Part 2: Mutti)

We had a great time spending time with Mutti, too! The kids made a fort and played:

Mutti bought them both a guitar, but only one is pictured here. They LOVED them!

Mutti also had play dough and little animals for the kids to play with. She has a whole bench full of toys just for them, which is super fun for them to get into!

Mutti swung Olivia over her head so much playing with her that I was totally amazed her arms didn't fall off! Olivia is 35 pounds!

Leo really liked the play dough!

On the Fourth of July, we went to Aunt Judy's for cousin Bella's birthday party. Judy got gifts for Olivia and Leo, too, which was super sweet!

Carly, Chris, and Bella

Judy and Olivia

Carly, Bella, Chris, and Mia

Bella with her presents!

Leo liked being strolled in the baby doll stroller.

Olivia "helped" Bella blow out the candle!

Uncle Chuck and GG!

Uncle Chuck and Leo checking out the toaster:

It was wonderful to get to visit with Mutti and the Haagas!

Indiana/Kentucky trip (Part 1: Grandpa Bill and Tamara)

Per the usual, I am late in getting out the blog post from our trip. Our first stop was to Grandpa Bill and Tamara's newly remodeled house with it's huge addition. I realize I didn't get any pictures of the kids in the big music room where Olivia and Leo spent most of their play time. But, I did get Leo with his main attraction: Pushy, the cat. Poor little Pushy!

This is Olivia on the first morning. The kids and I mostly got up earlier than everyone else because they were, as usual, the.worst.sleepers. They were even bad at baths and bedtimes this trip, which isn't usually such a problem. (Since we have been home, sleep has gotten better, and we have started a rewards chart for Olivia to take naps...because she NEEDS them!) But, they were happy most of the time during the days. 

Grandpa Bill went with our pack to the science center the day before the 4th, and Olivia made an awesome bubble!

The water play area was a favorite, too!

On our last evening with Grandpa and Tamara, we all got dressed for dinner in clean clothes after being outside in the garden in the afternoon. Bill made an outstanding dinner with the best pork tenderloin we have ever eaten! Olivia only wanted to make silly faces while I was taking pictures, but the pictures turned out pretty cute!

And each morning, I tried to usher the kids out of the house to go for walks or do some activity so that we wouldn't wake everyone else. On the last morning, we found this play area that Tamara and Bill's neighbor directed us to. Now we know where to go on those early mornings!

Unexpectedly, I was also able to visit with my friend Stacey, who was in town on an unplanned trip. Even under the not-so-great circumstances of meeting in a hospital, it was great to see her, and funny to watch Leo perform for her! Miss you, Stacey!