Marvelous time at Lake Okoboji

The weather wasn't the greatest, BUT, anytime we go to Lake Okoboji and a visit with Jim and Nancy it is always great fun!  Megan, Andy and children arrived at the farm late Wednesday evening and Thursday morning we left for the Houchins on beautiful Okoboji.  We arrived after lunch, unpacked and it was time to head straight to Arnold's Park for rides, games and ice cream.  Kayley and Drew dearly love that place, just like every child has loved it for decades!  Friday the weather was much nicer (less wind) and we put in a full day at the lake.  Matt took the kids and I out for a fishing trip in Jim's boat in the morning.  Fishing lasted about 3 1/2 minutes when Drew started asking if we could go fast!  So, Matt gave us a good ride and let both Drew and Kayley "drive" the boat.  They had a great time doing that!  Then they heard the rides cranking up at the park and it was back to land for more roller coaster, bumper cars and log rides.  Mark and I managed to get a good visit in with Jim and Nancy during all this chaos!

We took a break from the park and the kids went swimming.  I thought it would be too cool but they did not care and had fun.  Matt and Andy went to a free concert in the park that night but the rest of us opted for bed!  The day had worn us all out!

Matt drove from Omaha to the lake on his new purchase, a Harley.  It is a beautiful motorcycle but the "mother" in me was nervous.  He is very excited about his bike and I wish him many happy and safe miles on it!

Thank you Jim and Nancy for a great 3 days.  You are the best to put up with this big crew.  We really appreciated it and it was so fun to see you again!

Pictures from our little vacation and a few short videos:  (Megan has more pictures on her blog at Kayley's Story on my favorite blogs listing)


                                 Drew was NOT impressed with Kayley's boating skills!

Drew and Kayley didn't care if it was cool, they wanted in the water!



Kayley going down the slide at Arnolds Park

Jim and Matt traded bikes...I do believe Matt made Jim's tire go flat!

Captain Drew gives Matt, Kayley and me a ride on Jim's boat.

Another week with Grandpa and Grandma

I have had a great two weeks with my grandchildren!  I spent Monday-Thursday in Peoria enjoying baby Ryan and visiting with Megan while Drew and Kayley were at Pre-K during the day.  On Friday I headed back to the farm with Drew and Kayley.  They stayed with us until this past Friday, when we met Megan and Ryan near Davenport and I returned Drew and Kayley to their mother.  We had so much fun during the week, never leaving the farm!  They picked up sticks, drove the golf cart, picked cherry tomatoes every morning, played on Pirate's Bay daily, rode on the lawn mower and cart, played baseball, played pool, etc.  Never a dull moment (or a moment to sit, for that matter!)  They were so good and Mark and I are so thrilled that they enjoy coming here.  That will end soon enough as they grow so I will take advantage of it while the time lasts!

The weather has cooled a bit and we even got a bit of rain.  Too late for our crops but it did start to give a hint of green to our brown lawn.  I still don't have to mow, though!  Mark continues to do well with his new knee and can bend it to 131 degrees which we were told was very good.  His biggest complaint is not getting a good nights sleep.  The knee "nags" enough to keep waking him up, thus he is so tired during the day.  We have to fix this sleeping thing!  I so enjoy seeing him walk without a limp!!!  The last several years that is all he was able to do when he walked but I hardly ever notice him limping anymore.  So glad he had this surgery!  I am assuming he is, too.  :-)

Some pics and videos of our week at the farm:

Evidently we watched a little too much Olympics during their visit

Sliding down Pirate's Bay

Playing in the dirt where our deck used to be

Yum, Grandpa's sweetcorn!

Kayley taking Drew and Grandpa for a ride.  Scary.....

More fun in the dirt.  Bath time!

Drew was such a big helper with all our sticks

Trying to find some green beans in this parched patch

How come I never smile when I pick up all these sticks?

I found a huge one, Grandma!

Drew and Kayley arriving at the farm last week

Saying good-bye to Ryan before we left for Iowa

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She just wasn't "into" stick pick up today.  You are on your own, Drew!

All comfy for the lawn mower ride

Cooling off after all their hard work

I won!

This could be a tie

Oops!

Kayley singing in the loft of the playset:

Drew loves baseball!:

Trying to get up that very wet slide: