Is this heaven? It's Iowa

Well, this past  1 1/2 days did seem like a bit of heaven.  After the frantic pace of packing, b-ball camps, swimming lessons, building a deck and trying to figure out an air conditioner...it was nice to sit back and do nothing but play, eat, sleep, shoot off fireworks and just be.  After a great night's sleep, we had a relaxing morning with Beluim waffles and just taking it easy.  Dave and the boys did a football workout and I was able to go on a run and see some of my favorite stomping grounds.  We were able to go to Grampa and Grama's church.  It is a different one than the one I grew up in but it was wonderful and I am so glad they are in a church they are enjoying.

Jonathan & his ONE
donut :)

After church, we headed home to get the birthday lunch for Annika started.   My brother Aaron, Kari, Tate and Parker drove down from South Dakota to see us.   Aaron and Kari recently purchased a donut store and brought down some donuts for us....FlyBoy Donuts!!  Wow!  We  were impressed!  Who knew my brother could bake so well!  Jonathan has some food allergies but we will occassionally let him have a glazed donut to eat.  So, I had told Aaron that Jonathan could have ONE donut to enjoy so when Jonathan opened up his box....this is what he found!! Uncle Aaron was looking out for him :)  You should have seen his smile!!!!!!  When we opened the other box we found our name spelled out as donuts.  Each one was a different type- it was fun sampling them all.

Grama and Grampa made a wonderful meal of steak, corn on the cob and lots of yummy food for Annika's 6th birthday meal.  Then we had ice-cream cake for dessert (because we have not had enough sweets :)  We are looking forward to celebrating all week!  Birthday week for Annika!

FlyBoy shirt for Annika!

The kids had a blast playing outside.  Uncle Aaron brought a TON of smoke bombs and fireworks so the kids had fun setting off the smoke bombs in the grove, playing badmiton, having cob wars (the kids were running through the fields collecting cobs) and climbing trees.  Have I mentioned how completely covered with dirt they were? :)  At least we are close to the showers here! 

On Main Street in
Orange City, Iowa

 On the way out to Iowa, Jonathan had asked what the big deal was about laying down in the middle of the road (WHAT?? Where does he get these things??)  Well, I told him that I used to go for runs with friends at night and we would lay down in the middle of Main Street and just talk.  Benefits of living in a small town!  So, we headed to Main Street and the kids got a chance to hang out in the middle of the road.  On Sunday nights, it is MOSTLY empty so the occassional car did add some excitement.  Hopefully the kids feel they have this out of their blood now and do not need to repeat it later :)

Under my favorite bridge on the Puddle
Jumper trail.

As the sun was setting, Uncle Aaron and all the kids started setting off the fireworks.  You will be glad to know all the adults were safe and sitting on the porch :)  Aaron did a great job of coodinating all the kids and fireworks by himself.  My kids had a great time as they have never set off fireworks before.  We were entertained for well over an hour by some great fireworks.  Thanks Aaron and Kari for doing that for us!

 What a fun and busy day!  We all collapsed in our comfy beds for a good night's sleep.  I could not help  but think what tomorrow night's sleep will be like in the tent :)  Thank you mom and dad for giving us a great time to sleep, rest, eat and just relax.  It was just what we needed before we start on the rest of this adventure.  Go West Young Man, Go West!