The End of June and Iowa Highlights

Way back in June, Andrew had a week long conference in Ohio. I was still sick and needed help getting food before I even got out of bed. My parents and sister decided to come for the weekend to half the days I would be alone with kids.

On Saturday we played around the house in the afternoon. For dinner I made a quick salad, we picked up Papa John’s pizza, and went to a park for a picnic dinner. Emily was beyond thrilled about our visitors but the first moment they walked in the door Nathan climbed up me and held on for dear life. It was a cute breakthrough when hours later we were at the park and suggested walking to another playground. Nathan walked over to Grandpa Moose, grabbed his hand, and started walking.

Emily and Nathan played hard with Grandpa Moose and Aunt Christine on the slides and stairs. When we got home they were super ready for bed. We finished off the night watching the new Beauty and the Beast. Sunday I went to church for all three hours for the first time in months and months!

By the time Monday rolled around I was super tired. After breakfast I laid down on the couch at 8am and fell asleep while the kids were playing and my family was getting ready to leave. While I was sleeping they decided to post pone their Missouri vacation a few hours and deep clean our house! When I woke up the plan was already underway. It was a huge huge help. I had told them that morning that we wouldn’t be coming to their home for the 4th of July with the “it was too much” as the reason. Andrew wouldn’t get home until super late Wednesday night and the kids and I were flying to Utah a week later while Andrew had his two week prelims essay writing exam.

After my parents left us with a clean house, I decided to jump in and see how much prep I could do for the kids and I to travel. We bought a new car seat, went grocery shopping for trip food, figured out our travel entertainment, and got the AC fixed in the car (I felt like superwoman on that one!). When Andrew arrive home we were ready for a trip to Iowa and Utah.

We left Saturday (July 1) with high hopes for smooth travel. Emily was super helpful packing the car and Nathan was in good spirits. We packed lunch and figured we’d have nap time and then be close to Grandma and Grandpa Moose’s house. Two hours away Emily’s complaining about not feeling good reached super high levels. She had us worried enough that Andrew called the nurses hotline to try and get some guidance.

45 minutes from our destination Emily threw up all over. I was splashed as the driver and Andrew was holding a garbage bag trying to contain the mess. 30 minutes later we had cleaned up enough to get us the rest of the way and finish up with more resources. Fortunately after a good night’s sleep that was the end of it for Emily. I was pretty sick the next day but we chalked that up to forgetting a b6 vitamin the night before and morning sickness.

We stayed with my family from July 1-6. During that time Uncle Derick came to visit and join in the weekend fun. The kids played lots on the swing set. Grandpa Moose helped Emily set up the pool for her and Nathan to splash in.

We watched Mary Poppins on the big screen. I also watched Apollo 13 for the first time. It took us two nights but it was awesome!

We had peach cobbler in the Dutch oven. We celebrated Andrew’s 28th birthday again with ice cream cake.

We watched Aunt Christine march in the 4th of July Parade with the band (Emily took Andrew’s huge drill bit a few days ago and pretended it was her tool flute and she marched in the parade too). It took awhile but the kids warmed up to the idea of collecting candy.  Nathan was satisfied with a single sucker which he held onto the entire time until we got in the car and he ate it wrapper and all.  When Christine passed by Emily didn’t see her, so Grandma Moose took of with her down the route so she could catch a glimpse of her marching aunt.

We were planning on going to see fireworks but our kids were beyond exhausted by 5:30. We pulled out sparklers and let them do their own “fireworks” before tucking them right into bed.

Christine and I dropped Andrew and the kids off at the family museum so we could run errands together and get some sister time. When we picked them back up again Emily had a turtle made out of packing peanuts to show us. Turns out they stick together if you just add water.

I sewed the bodice of a dress I cut out for Emily months ago in the midst of morning sickness with a neighbor. I still need to add the skirt and sew in buttons but it felt really good to make progress.

We (but mostly Andrew) cleaned our car! Every time we’ve gone to my parents house the last four years we’ve said we would vacuum it out and wash it really well.  We finally did it! Emily was really helpful washing the inside.  It was a really warm day so we got the kids squirt bottles to play with.  Nathan mostly just drank out of his.

The kids had loads of fun playing with toys and Grandpa Moose and Aunt Christine.

As soon as we left the humid conditions of Indiana Nathan’s hair wasn’t super curly.  Andrew pointed out he really really really needed a haircut.  He looks so much older after I cut his hair!