Iowa 2013

So for the 2013 Iowa trip it was the two kids and I and my parents. I only had to do a 3 hour leg by myself until Kansas City where we met up with Gamma and Papa and loaded into one car. It was a little tight considering all of the stuff required in traveling with 2 kids but no one seemed to mind. We arrived without any trouble in Ida Grove the first night and spent some time with Grandma Marge and Grandpa Wilbur. Will remembered them from when they were here in February so that was great that there was no sky time.

We headed the next morning to Spencer so we could visit Grandma Willie who is recovering from surgery. She was in an assisted living at the time of the trip and we brought her a pretty snazzy new set of wheels!

We hung out in a nice little social room where we spread out and made ourselves at home. We played games, watched videos, took walks, and enjoyed hanging out.

Elliette learned to wave:

After spending two days there Will became pretty comfortable there. After a while I quit chasing him. He was either going to Grandma Willie's room for candy or to see the fish (Photo credit: Will Burris)

We got to see my aunt, uncle, and cousins for their anniversary/birthday celebration:

My cousin Nelson adores kids and has always been great with Will.

He was so happy to meet Elliette.

Family photos; Great Grandma, Papa & Elliette

Taylor generations continue:

Alas, it was time to say goodbye and head to the Hauschildt side.

So I shared a hotel room for a week with these two little lovelies and it had some sweet moments...

But what I didn't have pictures of were the musical beds we played all night :) But the mornings were super sweet just cuddling with my babies.

The kids were really great despite having little or no schedule. We took naps whenever we could squeeze one in.

We spent one evening at my Uncle Keith's house where we ate and played outside.

I just love my girl cousins and how we can share the trials of motherhood. They're the closest thing I have to sisters so I really soak up our time together.

What a difference a year makes!

All 7 great grand kids! (Noah, Olivia, Aubrey, Will, Cael, Elliette, and Elise)

Hanging out and having fun :)

The pharmacy in downtown Ida Grove where my mom grew up is closing. This has always been a huge source of entertainment for all of us. This is a small town so we had the freedom to walk downtown as kids and sit up at the counter and order ice creams and shakes and other sugar-filled drinks. I took my kids there for the first and last time.

Other fun at Great Grandma Marge and Grandpa Wilbur's house:

At the public library: 

Will really enjoyed two of my cousins; Emily and Lilly. They were so great with both kids! 

The required family photos:

It was such a wonderful time as always. I hope my kids grow up with the same affection for Iowa as I did.

  A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. Marcus Garvey