Mimi & Pap's fall trip to Iowa

October 7-9, 2011

What would we do without our parents... I feel so blessed and fortunate that mom & dad continue to make the 8-1/2 hr trip from Ohio to Iowa to spend time with us, play with all the kids, shower us w/gifts.... basically spoil us. :) We had a wonderful visit and I didn't get my camera out! Luckily mom did :)

On Friday, Chris & I took the day to drive to the World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI. Lindsay had a fever and got to stay home from school w/the babies and Mimi & Pap... she didn't mind ;)

and then LeaAnn got sick too! :( But it was short lived... poor Mimi & Pap!

After Lauren got home, w/Pap on the porch swing...

Pap handing out 4-wheeler rides... Lydia played shy for this one.

Lindsay J Bowen!  Even though we didn't get to talk long, it was SO good to see her... and again, would not have been possible w/o Mimi & Pap! 

 and on a side note, Lindsay & Kevin did awesome at the show!! All of Lindsay's hard work and dedication to her animals definitely paid off :)

 when we got home...

The next day.... again I took off to take Kress family photos and Mimi & Pap took care of the kids...

 and that night we had a wedding to go to! Bedtime for the babies.

Sunday morning, waving good-bye Mimi & Pap... :(

The next weekend on Saturday, it was a sunny morning and the girls were eating pancakes that Chris had made them and Lindsay said, "I miss Mimi & Pap... it feels like they should be here."  And we do miss you Mimi & Pap... thanks for everything and can't wait to see you again!

My favorite thing about school is...

"Playing at recess and going to PE."  Really?!? Because all the girl does at home is pretend play "school" with Lindsay.  She tries to teach Lydia too... but she doesn't really cooperate. :)
Lauren is loving 1st grade and continues to amaze us everyday. We feel so fortunate that she loves and even wants to do her homework. :)  Here is a sample of what she does almost every day at home during her "free time" ... makes up her own worksheets!

Which one is different on the front side...

And a maze through a pumpkin patch on the back :) complete with 3 different finish lines...     (AND... I owe this cool idea of  how to display school/art work to Leia :) thanks for the great idea! :))

"Wiam" at 7 months

Ms. LeaAnn, so lovingly nicknamed, "Wiam," by her big sister Lydia, is now 7 months old! And the nickname has stuck with all of us... we think Liam is pretty cute. :)
Continuing to be a very happy, patient baby... unless tired ;) She's crawling all over, eating everything she can find... including Lauren's art projects!

 Trying to get a cute picture of the both of them :) and this is how it turned out! (Lydia 2 days shy of 23 months, and this would be her state of being these days...)

Happy LeaAnn Claire...

Some things never change....

From Memorial Day 2010....

 Lauren 5, Lindsay 3-10mo & Dad 33

To 2 nights ago... some things just never change :) and I'm so glad they don't...

 Lauren 6, Lindsay 5 & Dad going to be 35 in a few weeks!!! :)

Sisters...

On Wednesday, Lindsay had to stay home from school b/c her strep throat came back. :( The day went on after Lauren happily got on the bus... a few computer games here, a few board games there, a nap that she didn't want take :) And all she could talk about was how much she missed Lauren.... I didn't know if Lauren would have said the same thing if roles would have been reversed?  But at 3:45 when Lauren got off the bus and walked in the door, I said, "Lauren how was your day?" And her response, "It was OK... I just really missed Lindsay."

(Lauren 6-5mo & Lindsay 5-1mo)

I just hope that the next two can be as close and as sweet to each other and the first two :)

(LeaAnn 7mo & Lydia 22mo)

The six of us

It is so much fun to have choices! However... having a hard time deciding which is our favorite :) Regardless, I'm super excited to have a family picture to replace our last one from '09 - when I was pregnant w/Lydia! And I love the fact that it was a perfect fall day w/awesome colors again.

Family pictures

I can hardly contain myself! I am so excited about the family pics we had taken, thanks to Lacy Short! And I treated myself to an early birthday present (at an educators discount I might add) and am having so much fun figuring it out!

Take a look at Ms. LeaAnn (almost 7mo & crawling like a champ!)

She wouldn't hear of us not having a picture of just the 2 of us ;) thanks Lacy!

Was happy w/this attempt, even though Lindsay was hurt from LeaAnn pulling her hair :)