Vacation, Family & Traditions

Okay, so last Saturday we piled our two sleeping angels into the Mommy Mobile (AKA the van) and headed out on what we thought was going to be a 12 hour trip to Northern Iowa. Well, it only took 9 1/2 hours (Praise the Lord!!!) and that included an hour for breakfast.

We spent Saturday afternoon relaxing, catching up on sleep and talking with my Aunt & Uncle that we were staying with for the trip.

Sunday, we went slightly over the border into Minnesota to visit my Dad's side of the family. well his sister and one of his brothers anyway. we also met up with some of the cousins (a few of which I met for the first time). We then detoured off course about a mile to visit my Aunt (Mom's oldest sister) and finished with a good nap on the ride back into Iowa.

On Monday, we journeyed North again for a visit to my sweet 93 year old Grandma. She was doing very well and even got in a tug-of-war with L over her walker.

We also made a few stops along the way. we drove past my Grandma & Grandpa J's old farm place and let the boys do some exploring...

 B riding the deer in front of Grandma & Grandpa's old house and then picking apples off the trees.

So, then on Tuesday it was time to say farewell to Northern Iowa and head home. We loaded up and hit the road around 8:00 AM and we made it home about 6:00 PM. Not to bad of a trip except the screaming kids and the whining husband (because oh yeah, he got sick on Saturday evening, to later find out it was strep throat). I put the kids to bed and let J lay around on the couch and I went grocery shopping to re-gain some of my sanity.

So, then Wednesday brought back an old family tradition of mine; cleaning fresh sweet corn. While in Iowa, Uncle Dan hooked us up with some fresh corn straight from the field. So, once we got it home, it had to be cleaned, cooked & eaten (or frozen in our case). B was a natural at this cleaning thing...

We cleaned 25 ears of corn. We saved eight back for when mom & dad were here over the weekend, but I cooked, cut and froze the other 17 wonderfully delicious ears for later.

So, aside from long car rides and a sick husband, this year's vacation went well. It is back to work for J tomorrow and back to the SAHM business for myself. My first kid starts this week and the look out for more begins.

Until next time and from my life to yours,

MommyShelle C