Thursday, August 15, 2013

A very busy August

We have had so many things going on simultaneously that it has been a whirlwind!  We had Drew and Kayley at the farm for a week and now I have been in Peoria for a week, driving them back last Saturday to their home and spending another week with all of them.  I wanted to get some Ryan time as he was too little to have at the farm.

Drew and Kayley had a great time.  Each visit they find something new to occupy their hours.  Last time it was rocks and cutting weeds out of the beans.  This visit they spent gathering tools (wooden sticks of all sizes) to work on a dead tree.  We have several but they were particularly fond of "Tall Paul" and "Spread Eddie".  Drew selected these names.  Naturally the golf cart and lawn mower cart got a work-out, too.

While they were with us, the outside of our house was being totally transformed and they enjoyed watching the workers and the workers got a kick out of them.  While on the lawn mower cart, one remarked that he didn't know they were supposed to bring a float.  That gave Drew and Kayley the idea to come by on it and throw candy to them while they were taking a break, just like in a parade.  That gave them all a good laugh.  They didn't want to leave the farm but they also wanted to see Ryan and Mom and Dad so it wasn't too bad getting them to go.  Kayley did shed a few tears when we let the air and water out of Pirate's Bay.  :-)  She also cried telling grandpa good bye.

We have had fun this week in Peoria, too.  Tomorrow is a very big day.....Drew begins 1st grade and Kayley starts kindergarten and riding the bus.  Mommy is hoping that neither cry getting on the bus.  They can be quite shy when they want to so we will have to wait and see.  They both seem extremely excited about it but when it actually arrives......

I am returning to Iowa on Saturday with the anticipation that the outside of our home is finished.  I cannot wait to see it.  The only thing that will not be done is a new deck, which we will do next summer when we return from AZ.  We also put in new flooring in the kitchen, laundry and all three bathrooms.  It isn't quite finished but what is done looks lovely and I really like it!

Some pics and videos from our adventures:

Drew and Kayley getting off their first wooden roller coaster ride at Adventureland.  Let's just say they were not entirely impressed!
Drew and Kayley spent LOTS of time working on this tree with their "tools"

Always a fun time in Pirate's Bay
Finally, another tree hugger besides me in the family!

Kayley thinks she can push it down.

Working, working, working on that tree!

Uncle Matt and kids at Adventureland

They loved climbing on all the tractors



Kayley in her great grandfather Swanson's WWII hat

At least our huge pond of nothing provided some fun!

In the combine

Time for shopping at Peoria's Target store

For some reason, Peoria play areas contain a lot of Catepillar displays.  :-)


Ryan having fun at the play area

Always happy and smiling!

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