Iowa: Part 1

Well, it still feels like home, in a weird we-never-really-left way. I s'pose the fact that our house hasn't sold yet and that we stayed in said house helped that feeling. We got to see so many friends and every time it was as if we had just spent time together yesterday, not months (or years) ago.

We pulled in early in the morning on Friday after a long drive across Nebraska. While I am not quite a fan of big thunderstorms while driving: I will say that the long trek through one of the flattest states this side of the Mississippi was never so interesting as it was this time. God was good to us and got us through safe, which we are thankful for.

Friday, as expected was a little rough. That's all we need to say about that day.

Saturday was the Bachelor party: paintball, bowling and food. Followed by sore muscles, tired eyes and spectacular bruises. Even a week later Marc's torso was fairly colorful with healing bruises. Saturday was also an informal reunion of our small group Bible study. What fun to see everyone again! While some members were not there and definitely missed, we easily found our groove as friends and had a great (late) night of catching up and reminiscing.

*Some* of the injuries incurred with paintball.

Most of the old group together again, although we sorely missed those not able to make it.

One of our new acquaintances taught Desmond a game: Cut the pickle, tickle tickle tickle! Basically you hold your index fingers together and then the child "cuts the pickle" (put his finger in between your index fingers) and when he does you then tickle him. Desmond decided that this game would be funner if he was the one holding the pickle hence this video:

Sunday we went to church and then had lunch with friends followed by an afternoon with the soon-to-be newlyweds. Bob got his mad "pizza-putting-on" skills going and made some great pizza while we acquainted ourselves with guitar hero - a little addicting, good thing there were little people there to pull us away from the game or we may have been there all night trying to get good at it. We do think, however, that it is a bit sad they can't teach you the actual chords instead of just pushing the right button. We played outside for awhile blowing bubbles with Miss Andrea and coloring the driveway with chalk, as well.



Sunday night was reserved for girls only and we had a blast. Many a good topic laughed over including a certain taxi scene replayed several times and in slow motion - I don't know why its so funny, but it is. =)

Monday Marc was busy so Tressa, Desmond, Jaxter and I pulled together a menu and headed out to get groceries. The Co-op that we went to had little grocery carts that were just the right size for Desmond and he dove right in to "shopping". He started just filling up his basket: cauliflower, apples, potatoes, mac 'n' cheese, bread.... We spent double the required time getting groceries because we were constantly putting items back on the shelf. Desmond had to acquire a new item for his cart every two minutes or so from Tressa and I or he would just help himself to whatever was attractive from the shelves. =)


You may, or may not, have noticed the atrocious amount of rain the Midwest has been getting. We got caught in a downpour on Tuesday. The timing worked out just right that we had to make a break for Tressa's car right at the worst and we got drenched! The car was less than 10 feet from the door and it was still as if we had stepped into three showers all at once. Jaxter was less than impressed with the downpour but Desmond thought it was fairly amusing and he got to sit in Tressa's car so all was good with his world. =)

All wet!

Since it was so rainy that day we decided to take a trip to the Children's Museum. Which was actually very interesting, although a bit old for Jax and Des, it still held their attention for our entire visit and probably would have continued to be entertaining well after we had to leave for dinner. Despite all the great activities the museum had the most enthralling endeavor was a small hill in a playroom. They spent an incredible amount of time going up and down and up and down.
Wednesday was a Mommy day. There is a Mom's group that includes several friends so Tressa and I went to hang out and chat with them in the afternoon. After naps we all met at the local splash pad where Des and Jax got their first taste of playing in water. Other than bath time they hadn't ever really had play time in water, let alone spraying you in the face and all over your body water. It took them awhile to acclimate to the experience (and at one time they aborted the water activity in favor of the swings...and sand...and slide...and ball court) but did eventually come back to the splash pad to fully experience the joy of being cool on a hot day.


Part 2 Iowa to follow soon.....